1981 PA-38 Tomahawk II

1981 PA-38 Tomahawk II. Donated by: Montoursville Middle School of Montoursville, PA. , Piper had started a Light Trainer project at Vero Beach in 1969, designated the PA-38. The concept definition called for the aircraft to compete with the Cessna 150 in the 1970-1980 timeframe. Piper canvassed thousands of flying instructors before fixing the specification of a new two-place basic trainer in late 1972. 10,000 flying instructors across the USA were sent a questionnaire. Over 4,000 responses were received and analyzed. The five most important selection factors in choosing a trainer were: handling characteristics, performance, operating costs, cabin comfort and equipped price. Richard Kroeger, who joined Piper in 1971, was the project director and other key Vero Beach engineering staff who worked on the design included Tony Morely and Trevor Linton-Smith. The experimental aircraft with the PA-38-100 designation, s/n 38-E1 and had an unusual registration NO2CUB (for 2nd Cub). It was powered by a Continental 0-200 engine and had a GA(W)-1 airfoil wing, a low tail and trailing-beam main landing gear. The first full fight took place at Vero Beach on July 17, 1973 with test pilot John Patrick. It was registered N56346 and a new serial number 38-7320001 for its second flight on July 18 and subsequent flights. After many hours of testing the program was terminated in late 1973, although Piper did not lose sight of the importance of the light trainer market. In the fall of 1974, the project was resurrected, and the PA-38 experimental aircraft was re-assembled with several modifications, which included a Lycoming 0-235 engine in a new cowl, a small twist to the wing and sprung gear. The experimental aircraft first flew in this configuration on December 18, 1974. Piper CEO J Lyn Helms wanted to modernize the Piper fleet and pushed for T-tails on as many designs as possible. The Trainer's tail was therefore redesigned to accommodate a T-tail in early 1976, but the program was cancelled again due to proposed costs of production. With a change of Engineering Management and with Piper still in need of a light trainer, the PA-38 development was re-started again, this time to reduce costs with changes to the flaps and ailerons. A new prototype 38-7738001/N38PA was built at Vero Beach and first flew on June 6, 1977. Finally, Piper was satisfied with the design and the program was given the production go-ahead. The Lock Haven plant proposed a lower cost and a higher production rate per day than the two Florida plants, so production was assigned to Lock Haven., Two pre-production aircraft N381PT and N382PT were manufactured at Lock Haven in September and October 1977. The new two-place PA-38 Tomahawk was officially unveiled at the Piper International Celebration at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida held October 13-17. Distributors, CORPACS, Dealers and Training Centers were in attendance and demonstrated their acceptance of the aircraft by ordering 1,400 of them. The prototype N38PA, with a new s/n 38-78A0001, conducted certification testing and the design received certification A18S0 on December 20, 1977 for normal category operations and for certain aerobatic maneuvers and spins in the utility category. The FAA production certificate for the PA-38-112 made at Lock Haven was gained on March 23, 1978. The aircraft could cruise at 109 knots at 75% power and deliveries began in April 1978, priced at $15,840. There was one exterior paint design available in five different colors. Special Training avionics packages were available with either King, Collins or Narco components. Production at Lock Haven started at the rate of two a day in February 1978 increasing later that year to eight aircraft a day. By the middle of 1979 sales began to decline with the initial dealer orders having been fulfilled., Piper launched an updated Tomahawk for the 1981 model Year, the Tomahawk II. Changes included new sound-proofing, a new paint scheme, increased propeller clearance (larger wheels), windshield defrost, a throttle handle and a bungee trim control. Aircraft 38-81A0001/N25459 was the Tomahawk II 'show' model and deliveries began in March 1981. With slowing sales, Piper stopped production of the Tomahawk II with the 1982 model. A total of 2,517 Tomahawks were manufactured at Lock Haven with more than 1,000 still registered in 2024., This Piper Tomahawk is serial number 38-81A0126 and registered N23216. It has a manufacturing date of June 25, 1981. It was delivered to Piper Dealer Penn Jersey Piper Sales at Easton, PA. It was withdrawn from use and registration cancelled in February 1994.