PlaneFox tracks 3 Piper PA-20 Pacer / PA-15 Vagabond aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Piper PA-20 Pacer / PA-15 Vagabond flies about 435 nm, roughly 806 km, which is about 3 h 43 min in still air at typical cruise.
A Piper PA-20 Pacer / PA-15 Vagabond costs about EUR 1,733 a month to run, or about EUR 181 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Piper PA-20 Pacer / PA-15 Vagabond represents Piper’s postwar, fabric-covered, short-wing tailwheel line. The PA-15 Vagabond was introduced in 1948 as a simple two-seat personal aircraft, while the PA-20 Pacer followed in 1950 as a four-seat development with more power and greater utility. Production of the PA-20 ran until the mid-1950s, before market demand shifted toward the tricycle-gear PA-22 Tri-Pacer. For buyers, these aircraft matter because they combine classic tailwheel handling, modest operating costs, and strong parts and owner-community support within a compact vintage airframe.
The PA-15 Vagabond is typically powered by a 65 hp Lycoming O-145 engine and is best viewed as a light, economical local and regional flyer. Typical cruise speeds are around 80 knots, with range commonly in the 250-300 nautical mile class depending on tanks, engine condition, and operating technique. The PA-20 Pacer is substantially more capable, commonly fitted with Lycoming O-290 engines of about 125-135 hp, with many examples upgraded under approved modifications to Lycoming O-320 power. A standard PA-20 commonly cruises around 105-115 knots, with practical range often around 400 nautical miles. Useful load varies by equipment and modifications, but Pacers are generally valued for carrying more than many two-seat classics while still operating from relatively short strips. Service ceilings are adequate for typical personal flying rather than high-altitude operations.
The PA-15 Vagabond has two side-by-side seats and a compact cabin with basic baggage capacity. Early PA-15s were built with simplified controls compared with later related models, so buyers should verify cockpit configuration carefully. The PA-20 Pacer provides four seats, though rear-seat and baggage use are governed by weight-and-balance realities. Avionics are normally simple: analog flight instruments, a basic com radio or nav/com, transponder, and often ADS-B equipment. Modern glass suites such as Garmin Perspective or G1000 are not typical for these aircraft; upgrades more commonly include portable GPS mounts, compact digital engine instruments, intercoms, and lightweight radios.
Condition is more important than cosmetic presentation. Buyers should examine fabric age and quality, corrosion in steel-tube fuselage areas, landing-gear attach points, tail surfaces, wing structure, fuel system condition, and completeness of logs. Engine model, propeller, empty weight, and any supplemental type certificate upgrades strongly affect value. Common PA-20 upgrades include O-320 engine conversions, Cleveland brakes, alternator conversions, improved starters, shoulder harnesses, sealed struts where applicable, and modern fabric systems. The PA-15 Vagabond usually appeals to buyers seeking simplicity and low fuel burn, while the PA-20 Pacer occupies a higher-value niche as a practical vintage tailwheel four-seater. Compared with the PA-22 Tri-Pacer, the PA-20 is generally chosen by pilots who specifically want conventional-gear handling and classic short-wing Piper character.