Piper Tomahawk Spin Question
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 0
From: fort sheridan, il
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!
.
Joined: May 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 688
Likes: 108
From: Bear Island
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.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Kerikeri New Zealand
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.
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: In front of the desktop
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??
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: UK
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
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 2
From: Oxford, UK
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.....
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Denmark
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
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
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
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Aberdeen
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 ?
