Piper Tomahawk Spin Question
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: fort sheridan, il
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spin
its been almost 30 years since I spun the Tomahawk.
I do hope that you will all take this advice....make sure the tow bar is well secured and anything that can come loose in the cargo compartment is secured.
Also, you might want to remember this...if your chair/seat is loose in the track...be careful...also you might want to have the seat as far forward for CG reasons as you can....and if things go really bad...move the seat forward to change the CG in your favor for recovery.
I did prefer teaching in the Tomahawk rather than the cessna product...much better visibility.
Be sure the stall strips are properly installed on the wing's leading edge.
When she goes...she really goes!
I do hope that you will all take this advice....make sure the tow bar is well secured and anything that can come loose in the cargo compartment is secured.
Also, you might want to remember this...if your chair/seat is loose in the track...be careful...also you might want to have the seat as far forward for CG reasons as you can....and if things go really bad...move the seat forward to change the CG in your favor for recovery.
I did prefer teaching in the Tomahawk rather than the cessna product...much better visibility.
Be sure the stall strips are properly installed on the wing's leading edge.
When she goes...she really goes!
Join Date: May 2001
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Apart from the fact they booted the rudder to get it in which from personal experence is a really bloody stupid thing to do.
Also you notice as well that it started going flat for a second.
Also you notice as well that it started going flat for a second.
.Join Date: May 2004
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No flatness observed
If you saw any tendency towards a flat spin in that video clip you are mistaken. The spin axis was not yet vertical which may account for a momentary illusion, but that spin was utterly normal.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Kerikeri New Zealand
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No flatness observed
Many years ago an old instructor told me a tale of a spin that he got into intentionally, and after several attempts to recover he was below 1100 ft agl
(The spin entry was 5500). He was convinced that he was in for a prang.
A last second thought to slow the pa38 up, he applied flap.
He comments was the spin stopped so abruptly he nearly cricked his neck.
It is a valid thought and I have kept it in mind but to date have not had to try this alternative recovery method.
(The spin entry was 5500). He was convinced that he was in for a prang.
A last second thought to slow the pa38 up, he applied flap.
He comments was the spin stopped so abruptly he nearly cricked his neck.
It is a valid thought and I have kept it in mind but to date have not had to try this alternative recovery method.
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Folks...this type is one of the safest types to conduct a deliberate, errect spin in! ALL of the rudder surface area is exposed to the relative airflow during the developed stage and during the recovery. There is no tailplane blanking. The type settles a little more nose down than say a Cessna. The type will respond from correct "traditional" recovery teqniques quickly however rate of rotation will be lower and ROD will be higher compared to a true flat spin. No spin issue with this machine!.....Shall I go and put the kettle on??
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
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Spinning over a built up area?
Just wondered why do it over a town, as there seemed to be plenty of open ground a few miles further ahead on the entry heading, and a bloody great lake a few miles off the nose on recovery.
Was that in the UK, or N America somewhere?
Not trying to be a smartarse. Just asking as it seems a bit
Was that in the UK, or N America somewhere?
Not trying to be a smartarse. Just asking as it seems a bit
Join Date: Jan 2009
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There are training aircraft that are docile, and don't bite even if you flap around a bit with the ailerons.....
And then there are the ones that kill people.
I prefer the first type of glider, and so do most gliding clubs, its called a K13.
The other one, the Puchaz, afficionados declare it does just what it says on the tin, with that monster rudder; but all the same, it bites, and the nose up a bit on a final turn is liable to be a final turn....but it is Polish, and that says it all.
A well known British pilot, riding as pax on an aerobatic fight in Poland, was hanging on for dear life while the instructor flew around mostly upside down.....
And then there are the ones that kill people.
I prefer the first type of glider, and so do most gliding clubs, its called a K13.
The other one, the Puchaz, afficionados declare it does just what it says on the tin, with that monster rudder; but all the same, it bites, and the nose up a bit on a final turn is liable to be a final turn....but it is Polish, and that says it all.
A well known British pilot, riding as pax on an aerobatic fight in Poland, was hanging on for dear life while the instructor flew around mostly upside down.....
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Spinning
My school flies the PA38 during PPL, and when i was out doing it i had no such problems. It sure was hard to get the spin to the left, but right rudder did the job. Ive done 5-6 spins in it and never experienced what you described.
It's a fun little, imo very forgiving airplane
It's a fun little, imo very forgiving airplane
Join Date: May 2009
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It was the whole back end trying to shake itself loose that freaked me.
Despite all the criticism though I think the PA38 is a good little trainer that doesn't foster complacency amongst instructors and students.
Caco
Join Date: Jun 2007
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To be fair,
you started aviation in later life, if l remember correctly, with me flying a
20m Kestrel in the open class and you flying something smaller with
Brian Spreckley and Dave Watt in support.
You must be nearer 80 than 70 ?
Your party at Shennington is a celebration l hope ?
you started aviation in later life, if l remember correctly, with me flying a
20m Kestrel in the open class and you flying something smaller with
Brian Spreckley and Dave Watt in support.
You must be nearer 80 than 70 ?
Your party at Shennington is a celebration l hope ?
