PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - CAA to allow Flight Training from Unlicensed Aerodromes
Old 24th Feb 2010, 18:34
  #39 (permalink)  
Pilot DAR
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Age: 63
Posts: 5,663
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Yes, I quite like Tomahawks as well, and were my operating realities very different, would be quite pleased to own one. There are seven distinct characteristics of the Tomahawk which make it less desirable for operation in the type of flying common in my part of the world:

Low wing - less opportunity to operate on taxiways and runways with high snowbanks, particularly when narrow (common).

5.00-5 main wheel tires - get stuck in soft ground more easily

High tail - reduces the effective soft field capability of the aircraft, you can't "drag it off" with the same confidence as a low tail aircraft.

High tail - much harder to inspect, and clear snow from.

Not a candidate for a STOL kit - reduces operational choices.

Harder to load stuff in and out of - can't remove/fly with door off.

Not eligible for operation on Mogas - costs me a lot more money to fly in Avgas, and un-necessarily pollutes the environment horribly

The Tomahawk is a great plane for "temperate", hard surfaced places, not so much for a lot of Canada - particularly the "unlicensed" aerodromes.
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