foxmoth, how you can say that the PA-38 is a good spin training machine when one of the most heated controversies in light aviation is exactly about the poor spin recovery characteristics and the many accidents it has caused.
I am not sure I believe that statement.
Directly from Gene Beggs titled " Spins in the Pitts Special", you can order the book it is available from the IAC or aviat here : htp://www.aviataircraft.com/new/ps_cover.htm
From Gene Beggs book, page 35, Paragraph 4, title "Piper TomaHawk"
"It (the pa38) had developed a bad reputation in stalls and spins. I put the Tomahawk through a series of upright spins including normal, flat and accelerated. The Tomahawk is an excellent spinning aircraft that recovers beautifully using either the normal or the Emergency Spin Recovery. It Spins so well that I can see how it would be intimidating to a pilot who is aprehensive about stalls and spins. "
He then goes on to dismiss the myth that the tail wags around and the rivets pop out, and nude mermaids singing "Casa Diva" often appear on the cowling after 6 rotations.
I made up that last bit, but I do like Bellini.