The Piper PA38 Tomahawk is a two-seat trainer introduced in the late 1970s, designed specifically for flight schools with responsive handling and a T-tail that makes it ideal for student pilots learning advanced maneuvers. Discover Piper PA38 Tomahawk aircraft for sale worldwide on AvPay. Browse active Piper PA38 Tomahawk listings and find available aircraft across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. Connect directly with aircraft brokers, private sellers, flying clubs, flight schools and manufacturers. Explore the full inventory of aircraft for sale on AvPay here!
Finding a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft for Sale on AvPay
AvPay lists Piper PA-38 Tomahawk aircraft for sale worldwide. Browse Tomahawk airplane listings across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. Find a new or used Piper PA-38 Tomahawk that matches your mission and budget.
Filter Piper PA-38 Tomahawk listings by condition, year, total time, avionics, location, price, and seller. Compare training aircraft and personal touring airplanes side by side to speed up your search.
AvPay is a leading aviation marketplace for piston aircraft sales. Explore our full Piper selection here, or view all aircraft listings from every manufacturer here.
Found a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk that fits your needs? Contact sellers on AvPay by WhatsApp, private message, or phone to confirm specifications and negotiate on your Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft For Sale.
Interesting facts about the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk
✈ Piper built the PA-38 Tomahawk in Vero Beach, Florida from 1978 to 1982, producing 2,484 aircraft.
✈ The Tomahawk uses a 112 hp Lycoming O-235-L2C and a fixed-pitch Sensenich propeller, making it simple and economical to operate.
✈ Its GA(W)-1 airfoil and T-tail were chosen to make stall and spin behavior deliberate for training, not accidental.
✈ Airworthiness Directive 83-14-08 added inboard stall strips to standardize stall characteristics; buyers should confirm logbook compliance.
✈ The 1981–1982 Tomahawk II added 6-inch main wheels, anti-corrosion treatment, better heating and defrost, and improved trim.
✈ The fuel system feeds from two wing tanks with 30 US gallons usable, giving practical endurance for training and cross-country lessons.
✈ Typical roles include ab-initio training, spin awareness, time building, and personal touring.
✈ Two wide doors and a low wing give easy cabin access and excellent runway and traffic visibility during circuits.
Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Specifications
Use this data as a guide only. Do not use it for flight planning or operations. Variants, modifications, equipment, and aircraft age will change the figures. Always verify exact specifications with the seller, the manufacturer, or the current flight manual.
Length: 7.042 m (23 ft 1.25 in)
Wingspan: 10.36 m (34 ft 0 in)
Height: 2.762 m (9 ft 0.75 in)
Empty Weight: 512 kg (1,128 lb)
Max Take Off Weight (MTOW): 757 kg (1,670 lb)
Usable Fuel Capacity: 113.6 L (30 US gal; 25 imp gal)
Cruise Speed (65% @ 10,500 ft): 185 km/h (115 mph, 100 kn)
Range (65% @ 10,500 ft): 867 km (539 mi, 468 nm)
Service Ceiling: 3,962 m (13,000 ft)
Rate of Climb: 3.65 m/s (718 ft/min)
Take-off Run to 15 m (50 ft): 445 m (1,460 ft)
Landing Run from 15 m (50 ft): 471 m (1,544 ft)
FAQs About the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk
How much does a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk cost?
As of Q3 2025, typical asking prices range from about $40,000 to $80,000 USD. Airframe time, avionics, paint, interior, and engine hours since overhaul drive the spread. Always check current listings to confirm market levels for the exact year and equipment.
Is the Tomahawk a good primary training aircraft?
Yes. Schools use it for private pilot and advanced handling. The design teaches coordinated stalls and spin awareness well when flown to the POH. Many buyers choose it for realistic handling and low hourly costs.
What useful load can I expect?
A typical empty weight is about 1,128 lb and MTOW is 1,670 lb, yielding a useful load near 542 lb. With 30 US gallons usable fuel (about 180 lb), you have roughly 362 lb for people and bags. Check the specific aircraft’s weight and balance.
What fuel burn should I plan for?
Most operators see about 6.5–7.0 US gallons per hour in cruise. Flight training with frequent power changes can push consumption slightly higher. Verify actual burn during a demo flight and with recent logs.
What should I inspect before buying?
Confirm compliance with AD 83-14-08 (stall strips), examine wing structure and corrosion protection, review engine time toward the Lycoming O-235-L2C TBO, and evaluate avionics condition. A pre-buy inspection by a PA-38-experienced A&P is essential.
Get help buying a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft
Can’t find the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk you want? Contact an Aircraft Broker in the AvPay Aircraft Broker Directory. You can also browse Aircraft Brokerage and Aircraft Acquisition Services on the marketplace to support your Piper PA-38 Tomahawk purchase.
Sell your Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft on AvPay
Do you have a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft for Sale? List your airplane on AvPay and reach buyers searching for a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk worldwide. AvPay is a Zero Workload Website, so our team handles updates. Each listing features on our social media pages to boost visibility. Generate enquiries from your aircraft listing, your broker profile, and any aviation services you promote on AvPay.
Get Your Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft Listed for Sale on AvPay
Find Finance for buying a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft
Need financing for a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk? Our specialist aviation finance partners can help you compare aircraft loans and structure repayment terms that suit your plan.
Explore Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft Financing Options
Find Insurance for a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft
Protect your Piper PA-38 Tomahawk with the right coverage. Our aviation insurance brokers can tailor hull and liability policies for student pilots, owners, and flight schools.
Buy Insurance for Piper PA-38 Tomahawk Aircraft
Piper Models for Sale on AvPay
The Piper PA38 Tomahawk is a two-seat trainer introduced in the late 1970s, designed specifically for flight schools with responsive handling and a T-tail that makes it ideal for student pilots learning advanced maneuvers. Discover Piper PA38 Tomahawk aircraft for sale worldwide on AvPay. Browse active Piper PA38 Tomahawk listings and find available aircraft across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. Connect directly with aircraft brokers, private sellers, flying clubs, flight schools and manufacturers. Explore the full inventory of aircraft for sale on AvPay here!