Piper Vagabond
The PA-15 was the first post-World War II Piper aircraft design. It utilized much of the same production tooling that created the famous Piper Cub, as well as many of the Cub structural components (tail surfaces, landing gear, most of the wing parts). The Vagabond has a wing that is one bay shorter (~30 feet versus 36 feet) than that on the Cub, which lead to the unofficial designation of Short-wing Piper. This allowed the aircraft to be built with minimal material, design and development costs, and is credited with saving Piper Aircraft from bankruptcy after the war.
Vagabonds used a new fuselage with side-by-side seating for two instead of the Cubs’ tandem (fore and aft) seating.
The PA-17 Vagabond version features dual controls, enabling it to be used for pilot training. It has a bungee cord shock-absorbed undercarriage (solid gear on the PA-15), and a 65 hp Continental A-65 engine.
In June 2008 there were still 222 PA-15s and 126 PA-17s still registered in the USA.
There were 13 PA-15s and 12 PA-17s registered in Canada in June 2008.
The design may see a minor resurgence, as based on weight and speed qualifications, it qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft, and can be flown by those acquiring a less-restrictive Ultralight Pilot license.
General characteristics
- Crew: two in side-by-side seating
- Length: 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
- Wingspan: 29 ft 3 in (8.92 m)
- Empty weight: 281 lb (1934 kg)
- Gross weight: 1100 lb (498 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-145, 65 hp (49 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 100 mph (163 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 90 mph (146 km/h)
- Range: 250 miles (405 km)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3077 m)
- Rate of climb: 510 ft/min (2.6 m/s)
KGA’s newest Arrival
King George would like to welcome Len Lamberts newest airplane, A Piper Vagabond. See our Ultralight of the month to learn more about this classic.
Vargas Island trip planned for April
We have our first Vargas Island trip planned for this April 4th. FESO is already booked for the flight, Please call for more details. 604 501 2488
King George Air Corps
The King George is getting ready for it’s spring launch, watch here for more information as it comes in.
Shayne Peterson solos
After a long winter of delays due to snow, floods, and fog, Shanye Peterson finally got a chance to aviate by himself. All of us would like to congratulate Shayne on his first solo. Well done.
SPOT GPS Now in Stock
They’re here. We now have the SPOT GPS’ in stock.
$169.95. Call now to get yours.
Instructor Rating course
We will be hosting an Instructor Ground School on the 21st and 28th of Feb. Each day will include four hours of Ground School. Four hours of flight time will also be required. Please call for more details and pricing. Course will run from 9 AM to 1PM each day. Please have pages 1-43 ready for class of the flight instructors guide. Cost is :$175.oo p/p There is also an addition 4 hours of dual flight instuction. This will be priced based on aircraft as, some students have their own airplanes. It is available at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/flttrain/Planes/Pubs/TP975/PartI/menu.htm
Pocket Mountain Flying Guide
The Shirt Pocket Mountain Flying Guide $22.95
Flying in the mountains takes specialized procedures and techniques. Safety demands that you have the facts and knowledge. This pocket guide provides you the information you need to know to keep you out of harm’s way.
This book is not a rehash of the Mountain Flying Bible Revised. It includes new material and color photos throughout; 129 pages are color.
What is covered?
Section 1 – Do’s and Don’ts
Section 2 – Basic Premises
Section 3 – Flying Canyons
Section 4 – Crossing Ridges
Section 5 – Turbulence and Va
Section 6 – Maximum Lift Flap Setting
Section 7 – How to Land an Airplane
Section 8 – Visual Illusions
Section 9 – Spot Method for Landing
Section 10 – Mountain Airstrip Operations
Section 11 – Mountain Weather
Taildragger Tactics
Taildragger Tactics $34.95
This book contains the operatio
nal information and techniques for flying conventional-gear airplanes.
It is loaded with information, facts and plain English explanations to eliminate mistakes.
The Taildragger Tactics book has been structured to allow one to read from the beginning to the end much like a novel. Each chapter builds and expands upon information that was presented in the previous chapter; however, each chapter is also self-contained to allow one to read only the chapters desired.
Flying a taildragger requires knowledge and skill. The knowledge is imparted in this book. The skill is something that must be developed in the airplane.
Mounntain Flying Handbook
Mountain Flying Bible Revised $46.95
Mountain flying demands its own rules and an entirely different set of flying skills than flatland flying. The new Mountain Flying Bible Revised contains 100-percent new information. It is jam-packed with updated advice, lore, science, and wisdom. This edition contains 16 pages of color photos operating into some Idaho backcountry airstrips.
This is your opportunity to acquire one of the most useful books for your library personally autographed by the author.
Review of the Mountain Flying Bible – This book is one of those that all pilots can learn from (just as it deepened my understanding in many areas), and should be part of every serious pilot’s reference library. It is, in all likelihood, the best aviation book written in recent years that focuses on light aircraft. Certainly it is the most useful. I recommend it without reservation.
— F.E. Potts, author of F.E. Potts’ Guide to Bush Flying: Concepts and Techniques for the Pro
For more than 40 years pilots have relied on author and aviator Sparky Imeson’s mountain flying expertise. His Mountain Flying Bible Revised is the new comprehensive standard for mountain flying.
Imeson’s strength as a writer, teacher and mountain pilot lends a clear and concise style that is not only thorough, but fun and entertaining to read.
All the hard-to-find information has been combined in one useful book. Loaded with helpful icons and photographs, it greatly simplifies, with clarity and authority, mountain flying operations.
Weather
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