Piper PA-16 Clipper

Piper · United States · first flew 1949 · light aircraft

The Piper PA-16 Clipper was a low-cost four-seat high-wing tourer introduced in 1949, offering Piper's first genuinely four-place aircraft in the budget segment built on the Vagabond's simple tube-and-fabric airframe.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	6.55 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Compact high-wing four-seater derived from the PA-15 Vagabond, with a wider cabin for four occupants
Lycoming O-235 engine in a simple fabric-and-tube construction
No elevator trim tab in early examples — a distinctive trait shared with the Vagabond

High-wing four-seater with a noticeably short fuselage and wide cabin; side-by-side front seats rather than the tandem layout of the Cub family; distinguishable from the PA-20 Pacer by fixed rather than retractable-gear options.

Specifications

The Piper PA-16 Clipper has a length of 6.55 m (21 ft).
It has a wingspan of 8.92 m (29 ft).
Its maximum speed is 187 km/h (116 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot + up to 3 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Piper stretched and widened the PA-15 Vagabond fuselage to seat four in cramped but functional accommodation, fitting the Lycoming O-235 and entering a competitive market against the Cessna 170. Around 736 were built before the PA-20 Pacer took over as the four-seat Piper product.

Variants

Produced only as the PA-16; no major variants were offered in production, though many have received engine upgrades.

Where you'll see it

Rare today but still flown by enthusiasts; the type is collectible as part of the 'Piper Cub family' lineage.

Related aircraft

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