Tomahawk
Join Date: May 2006
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tasa
Just started flying Pa-38 Tomahawk. Your experience?
Since then I've heard them described as Terrorhawks & Traumahawks which I believe to be connected with their stalling characteristics. Don't see the prob myself as your instructor demonstrates the stall and you copy the appropriate recovery for the aircraft.
They've been around a good while and stood the test of time methinks.
I prefer low wing, so would choose to fly in one of them before a Cessna.
I will now stand back and await my punishment from the Cessna community.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Here and there. Here at the moment but soon I'll be there.
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by microlight AV8R
I prefer low wing, so would choose to fly in one of them before a Cessna.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: S
Age: 47
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with you microlight. So far I flew c150, c172 and utva-75 (serbian production low wing) and I prefer low wing too. Piper tomahawk is more demanding but also more fun to fly than cessna 150 or 172 in my opinion.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, why not ?
A perfectly good little plane for a summer evening bimble about methinks.
I bet there are a few people who read this forum who'd give their eye teeth to be able to get aloft in anything serviceable.
I've chosen my route to flying enjoyment which happens to be low wing, each to his own eh?
A perfectly good little plane for a summer evening bimble about methinks.
I bet there are a few people who read this forum who'd give their eye teeth to be able to get aloft in anything serviceable.
I've chosen my route to flying enjoyment which happens to be low wing, each to his own eh?
I'm with you Micro, out of the popular training types that I've flown (PA28, C150, C152, C172) my vote goes for the Tomahawk. It's been 20 years since I flew it but I loved it - stalled it and spun it and am still alive (though on my last medical I was offered written evidence in case that was challenged).
If there was one that was available near me - your part of the world, too, methinks - then I'd jump at the chance.
If there was one that was available near me - your part of the world, too, methinks - then I'd jump at the chance.
Moderator
As an instructor I far prefer the Tomahawk to the Cessna as a workplace. Lots of space and everything within reach, good visibility in the cockpit and not squashed up next to the student. Credit to the instructors who contributed towards its design.
Studes who have flown ours have rarely gone back to Cessnas.
As an aircraft owner, I can say that the Tomahawk is simple and reliable, and operating costs are very reasonable.
There has been a lot of rubbish talked about Tomahawks by people who have never flown them.
Fact and figures and other interesting stuff here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/piperpa38tomahawkclub/
Studes who have flown ours have rarely gone back to Cessnas.
As an aircraft owner, I can say that the Tomahawk is simple and reliable, and operating costs are very reasonable.
There has been a lot of rubbish talked about Tomahawks by people who have never flown them.
Fact and figures and other interesting stuff here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/piperpa38tomahawkclub/
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Manchester
Age: 53
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nope. Cessna man myself. I like that idea that Cessna had some years ago that the tail should stay attached to the aircraft in a spin, and that a trimmer should have a nice firm connection and poisitve influence, not be like trying to wind up a rubber band.
Tin Hat on.....
Tin Hat on.....
All down to personal preference, I suppose.
I'm remembering the Tomahawk from 20 years ago when I had things like hair, a waistline and my whole life ahead of me.
I must sort out a trip some time soon; remind myself of what it was like.
I always found it a delight to fly, dogfighting over South Wales, hovering over the piano keys, stalling and spinning (and the tail remained attached - I'm 99% sure I'd have noticed it missing on the next walkround).
You might be right about the trim, though - I only discovered trim, carb heat and rudder pedals after I left the Tomahawk behind.
Perhaps it's rose tinted glasses; looking back on a time of freedom and, well I was going to say innocence, perhaps not, but a wonderful time nevertheless.
I liked the low wing, the visibility, the room, the handling and the forgiveness that the Tomahawk showed to the young and over confident me.
I'm remembering the Tomahawk from 20 years ago when I had things like hair, a waistline and my whole life ahead of me.
I must sort out a trip some time soon; remind myself of what it was like.
I always found it a delight to fly, dogfighting over South Wales, hovering over the piano keys, stalling and spinning (and the tail remained attached - I'm 99% sure I'd have noticed it missing on the next walkround).
You might be right about the trim, though - I only discovered trim, carb heat and rudder pedals after I left the Tomahawk behind.
Perhaps it's rose tinted glasses; looking back on a time of freedom and, well I was going to say innocence, perhaps not, but a wonderful time nevertheless.
I liked the low wing, the visibility, the room, the handling and the forgiveness that the Tomahawk showed to the young and over confident me.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: EGHF
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tomahawk
I completed my training in Inverness in a Tomahawk and fell in love with it!
Easy to land, great vis, light and responsive.
Lot of talk about stalling characteristics, but I think you would have to do something really wrong for it to bite back.
Easy to land, great vis, light and responsive.
Lot of talk about stalling characteristics, but I think you would have to do something really wrong for it to bite back.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: エリア88
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah Tommies are good little trainer IMO, proper throttles, good Vis, low wings, fun handling just a shame it dosnt have a stick. You'll never willingly get me in a Cessna 152 or 172 again, Cant stand 'em!
Blah Blah Blah
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Malmesbury VRP
Age: 48
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would rather be in an Archer or Cherokee 6 (preferably the 6).
Back to the thread.
172's and 152's are great to learn in. Very forgiving. Tomahawk's require a little more work, especialy with trim. Vis is much better and i think it requires just that bit extra skill to fly it well.
You guys with lots of hours in a tomahawk, have you ever looked at the tail during a stall?? It actually shakes from side to side (maybe stalled that little bit to much
). My first instructor got me to look at the tail during a demo, and that is the only reason i don't like tomahawks. Although i do prefer Pipers in general.
Tin hat ready...
Back to the thread.
172's and 152's are great to learn in. Very forgiving. Tomahawk's require a little more work, especialy with trim. Vis is much better and i think it requires just that bit extra skill to fly it well.
You guys with lots of hours in a tomahawk, have you ever looked at the tail during a stall?? It actually shakes from side to side (maybe stalled that little bit to much
). My first instructor got me to look at the tail during a demo, and that is the only reason i don't like tomahawks. Although i do prefer Pipers in general.Tin hat ready...
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: low and heavy
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think the tomahawk is very good at what it was designed to do. Like all good trainers it is relatively easy to fly, but hard to fly well. I agree with gcolyer, do not look at the tailplane during a stall if you ever want to get back in a tomahawk again. I haven't flown a tricycle aircraft for over 6 years but I certainly have fond memories of the tomahawk. That said the fact that the earth is round is the only help you get on the take off roll.
Moderator
The old "shaky tail" story...
Have any of you looked at the tail in any other aircraft at the stall? (shouldn't you be recovering from the stall?) Or during run ups? Or at shut-down?
They all do it! There is a good reason for it, too.
They all do it! There is a good reason for it, too.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Guadalix de la Sierra
Age: 57
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did my first 70 odd hours in a selection of 5 Tomahawks and would get in one again tomorrow without hesitation.
I have no Cessna experience yet, so can't join this debate. Everything else said about the Tomahawk I agree with in general, but would add that each one seems to fly differently.
I flew one that just would not trim, another that always stalled to the left, one that would not cruise at 90 knots... But I do believe they are good trainers and after the PA38 other planes have seemed straightforward and easy to learn.
I have no Cessna experience yet, so can't join this debate. Everything else said about the Tomahawk I agree with in general, but would add that each one seems to fly differently.
I flew one that just would not trim, another that always stalled to the left, one that would not cruise at 90 knots... But I do believe they are good trainers and after the PA38 other planes have seemed straightforward and easy to learn.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I flew one that just would not trim, another that always stalled to the left, one that would not cruise at 90 knots...
Not the youngest of fleets, so I guess that years of hard work leads to a few differences from the "book" performance.
Have experienced the same with PA28s too.
Not the youngest of fleets, so I guess that years of hard work leads to a few differences from the "book" performance.
Have experienced the same with PA28s too.
I think the appelation "Traumahawk" came from the succession of AD's (Airworthiness Directives) that were issued in the early days of the Tomahawk which caused their then owners financial trauma.
Regarding the stylists positioning of the tail on top of the fin, there was a mod to place it on the fuselage a la C150 / 152.
Regarding the stylists positioning of the tail on top of the fin, there was a mod to place it on the fuselage a la C150 / 152.