This 1958 Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer Is a Fully Restored ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Classic ‘Milk Stool’ combines vintage charm with modern IFR capability.

FLYING Staff

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

1958 Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer [Credit: McCreery Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Today's Top Pick is a 1958 Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer, celebrated for its unique blend of classic aesthetics and modern utility.
The Tri-Pacer was a pivotal design, transitioning from taildraggers to tricycle-gear aircraft, and this 160 hp variant offers a strong useful load and cruise speeds.
This specific aircraft underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2008 and features significant modern upgrades, including an IFR-certified panel with dual digital displays (uAvionix AV-30-C) and ADS-B Out.
Listed at $99,500, it is presented as a "turnkey classic" suitable for cross-country flying and discerning collectors, requiring no immediate work.

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Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1958 Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer.

While many vintage aircraft require a compromise between classic aesthetics and modern utility, this 1958 Tri-Pacer offers the best of both worlds. It represents a beautifully preserved piece of general aviation history that has been thoughtfully updated for the modern pilot.

The Piper Tri-Pacer, introduced in the early 1950s, was a pivotal design in the transition from taildraggers to tricycle-gear aircraft. Developed from the tailwheel PA-20 Pacer, the PA-22 featured a nosewheel that made ground handling significantly easier for the average pilot, a move intended to compete directly with the emerging Cessna 172.

Its distinct, high-stance landing gear geometry earned it the affectionate nickname the “Flying Milk Stool.” Despite that quirky moniker, the design was a massive sales success, outselling its taildragger predecessor by a margin of 6-to-1.

This specific airframe is a standout example of the high-performance PA-22-160 variant. It is powered by the 160 hp Lycoming O-320-B2B engine, which offers a respectable 814-pound useful load and cruise speeds that can rival many modern trainers. The engine has 1,750 hours since new, with strong recent compressions, and is paired with a Sensenich two-blade propeller.

1958 Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer [Credit: McCreery Aviation]

The aircraft underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2008, featuring new Poly-Fiber medium-weight fabric finished in a striking Randolph Bahama blue-and-white scheme. The interior matches this level of detail with Bahama blue seats, white piping, and unique “engine-turned” metal trim on the doorjambs and baggage compartment.

While the exterior screams 1958, the panel tells a different story.

This is an IFR-certified machine equipped with dual uAvionix AV-30-C digital displays for attitude and heading, bridging the gap between vintage charm and glass-cockpit situational awareness. It also features a Garmin GDL82 for ADS-B Out, King KX125 nav/com, and portable Garmin Aera 500 hard-mounted in an AirGizmo dock.

Listed at $99,500, this Piper Tri-Pacer is a turnkey classic that needs no immediate work, with desirable upgrades like vortex generators, LED lighting, and 50-amp alternator conversion, making it a practical cross-country flyer for the discerning collector.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.