Piper PA-38 Tomahawk

The Piper PA-38 Tomahawk, introduced in 1977, was Piper's attempt at creating an affordable two-place trainer. Much feedback from flight instructors were collected, and a more spinnable aircraft was requested for training purposes, since similar two-place trainers such as the Grumman American AA-1 Yankee or the Cessna 150 or 152 were designed to automatically fly out of a spin. The NASA GAW-1 airfoil fulfills this request by making the aircraft efficient, yet requiring safe handling in spins, which in turns make pilots more experienced in potentially dangerous situations. A high spin accident rate and complaints that the aircraft stalls too violently made the manufacturer fit flow strips on the leading edge of the wing. Another aspect as a primary trainer is that the Piper Tomahawk mimics the flight controls of a heavier aircraft, so transition to bigger planes is made easier.

The plane has a statistically significant number of both fatal spins and over-rotation accidents while taking off, but with proper training and understanding of the flight characteristics, most of these problems can be avoided. Early airworthiness directives were designed to improve the stall performance, and there has been a dramatic reduction in accidents as a result. Perhaps because of this colorful history, the PA-38 has earned the half-in-jest sobriquet Traumahawk from many who have flown it.

Besides from being a widely used primary trainer, it is also a great budget cross-country flyer for two persons with its spacious and comfortable cabin, with a more social side-by-side seating arrangement. Though it shares similar performance and costs of operation to the Cessna 152, the aircraft has more shoulder room. It also has good cabin airflow, using automotive-style air ducts. Common cruise speeds ranges from 90 to 110 knots (167 to 204 km/h).

Specifications (PA-38-112 Tomahawk)
 
General characteristics
Crew: one, plus one passenger
Length: 23 ft 1 in (7.04 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m)
Height: 9 ft 1 in (2.77 m)
Wing area: 125 ft² (11.6 m²)
Empty: 1,128 lb (512 kg)
Maximum takeoff: 1,670 lb (757 kg)
Powerplant: 1x Avco Lycoming O-235-L2A (Bendix magnetos) & -L2C (Slick mags), 112 hp (85 kW)
 
Performance
Maximum speed: 126 mph (202 km/h)
Range: 542 miles (867 km)
Service ceiling: 13000 ft (4000 m)
Rate of climb: 718 ft/min (219 m/min)
Wing loading: 13.39 lb/ft² (65.38 kg/m²)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Uses material from the article Piper Tomahawk.