Look.
Listen.
I have been a flying instructor for many years and taught on dozens of types. I've spun a PA38 tomahawk more times than some of the people here have actually flown.
Yes the tail twists. As per the design spec. Yes yes the skin flex makes a noise when it does so but then - its in the design spec.
The UK CAA have approved the PA38 for spinning with a suitable harness. That *really* is all you need to know.
Now as for the rest. PA28's cost about 25 quid an hour more and you'll never make that up with the 15kts higher cruise speed so they won;t save you money.
At the early stages of traing i.e. all of the PPL you want to be gaining BASIC handling skills which apply throughout your career. Therefore I want to see NO DME, an a/c that demands constant attention to attitude maintenance and that stalls with decent amounts of wing drop. This is the PA38.
Do you know how they designed the Tomahawk?
Well, they sent out a questionaire to EVERY registered flying instructor in the USA (early 70's) and asked them to rank over 100 attributes in order of preference.
This is just one reason why the PA38 is the only common training aircraft that allows torrents of hot air to the feet whilst cold outside air blasts your face...
This is an aircraft largely deigned by Flying Instructors. Those 'Bad Points' other students mention are there for a reason. If you can master the PA38 - and lets face it we ar enot talking rocket science here - you'll have a good foundation for future higher performance types. Frankly the PA28 Warrior (my office for all of last year) is designed for big fat Hank the Dumbass Yank (no offence to Americans) to tool around the Kansas prairies in whilst shovelling his last Big Mac down his throat whilst Mary-Ellen tries to tune the ADF to the local Country Music W.A.F.M. station. Its toooooo easy.
Thats my tuppence h'penny anyhows.
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