Piper PA-15 Vagabond

The Piper PA-15 Vagabond was introduced in the mid-1940s as an economical two-seat aircraft. Designed for private owners returning from wartime service, it emphasized simplicity. The aircraft became a stepping stone for Piper’s later designs.

Piper PA-15 Vagabond ‘G-BRJL’ © Tony Guest

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Overview

Piper United States ICAO: PA15 1946–1948 Active $2,000 (1948)

Piper PA-15 Vagabond — two-seat light aircraftThe Vagabond first flew in 1947 and entered service soon after. It featured a high-wing layout with conventional landing gear. The aircraft was designed to be inexpensive and easy to operate.A Lycoming piston engine producing approximately 65 horsepower powered the PA-15. Cruise speed was about 80 knots (148 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight was under 1,000 pounds (454 kg).The Vagabond enjoyed modest production before evolving into the PA-17 and related models. It remains part of Piper’s early postwar history. Some examples continue flying in vintage aircraft circles.

Live Fleet Activity (PA15)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Lycoming O-145
Engine type
Piston
Power
65 hp · 48 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
18 ft 8 in  ·  5.69 m
Tail height
7 ft 3 in  ·  2.20 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 3 in  ·  1.00 m
Wing span
29 ft 3 in  ·  8.92 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
1,100 lb  ·  500 kg
Max landing weight
1,100 lb  ·  500 kg
Max payload
250 lb  ·  100 kg
Fuel capacity
40 gal · 100 L · 100 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
87 kt  ·  100 mph  ·  161 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
39 kt  ·  45 mph  ·  72 km/h
Range
220 nm  ·  250 mi  ·  410 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
10,000 ft  ·  3,000 m
Rate of climb
510 ft/min  ·  3 m/s
Takeoff distance
900 ft  ·  270 m
Landing distance
300 ft  ·  90 m
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1948 Piper PA-15 Vagabond

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Operational Context

The Piper PA-15 was the first aircraft designed by Piper Aircraft after the Second World War. The manufacturing company used the same production tooling that built the Piper J-3 Cub light aircraft and had the same tailplane, landing gear, and most parts of the wing. In comparison with its predecessor, the PA-15 Vagabond has one bay shorter wing that ushered to the unofficial term that described the aircraft; Short-wing Piper. This enabled the PA-15 to be constructed with lesser material and design, as well as lesser development cost and had been given the credit for redeeming the manufacturing company from bankruptcy after World War II.

The PA-15 Vagabond has a side by side seating for the pilot and passenger. It has an external length of 5.69 meters, an external height of 1.8 meters, a tail height of 2.2 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1 meter. The high wing has a wingspan of 8.91 meters. The aircraft was designed with a conventional landing gear with a wheelbase of 4.4 meters. The empty weight is 281 kg and the gross weight is 499 kg. It has a maximum payload of 110 kg and a fuel tank capacity of 36 US gal.

The aircraft is powered by a single Lycoming O-145 small, low-horsepower, four-cylinder, direct-drive single-ignition engine with a starter and generator installed. The engine produces a maximum thrust of 65 horsepower and drives a two-bladed fixed-pitch propeller. The PA-15 has a maximum speed of 87 knots, a cruise speed of 78 knots, and a stall speed of 39 knots. The standard range is 220 nautical miles. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 10,000 feet and an absolute ceiling of 11,500 feet. It can climb at a rate of 510 feet per minute. The takeoff distance is 274 meters while the landing distance is 91 meters.