Piper Tomahawk Aircraft 1970s
Pre-1980 piston singles are heritage airframes that have typically been rebuilt and refurbished multiple times — original avionics replaced with modern Garmin or Avidyne panels, engines on at least one mid-time overhaul cycle, interiors refreshed once or twice. Pre-buy focus: airframe corrosion (especially wing carry-through, tail, gear), AD compliance history, log-book continuity, engine cylinder borescope. Heritage value can be meaningful for original aircraft in restored condition.
The Piper Tomahawk (PA-38) is a two-seat T-tail trainer built 1978-1982 — Piper's answer to the Cessna 152. Lighter and more spirited than the 152, the Tomahawk is known for honest stall behaviour (it actually stalls and recovers properly rather than mushing), which has produced both its reputation as an excellent trainer and the unfortunate nickname "Traumahawk" from instructors who disliked the sharper edge. Popular for spin training thanks to its honest characteristics.
9 used Piper Tomahawk aircraft for sale 1970s · 2-seat · Used median asking $45,000 · updated 11 hours ago
Piper Tomahawk Specifications
Model specThe Piper Tomahawk is a 2-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 100 kt (185 km/h), a range of 468 nm (867 km), and a useful load of 550 lbs (249 kg).
Piper Tomahawk for Sale
Piper Tomahawk asking prices range from $33,198 to $68,687, with a median of $45,000 (market reference $55,000).
Compare Piper Tomahawk
See how the Piper Tomahawk stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Piper Tomahawk Price & Cost
How much does a Piper Tomahawk cost? Used Tomahawk prices: $33K – $68K, average $45K (median $45K); market reference $55K, across 7 priced of 9 active listings.
Based on 7 priced listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Buying a Used Piper Tomahawk
Buying a Piper Tomahawk comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
Frequently Asked Questions — Piper Tomahawk
How much does a used Piper Tomahawk cost?
Why is the Tomahawk called the "Traumahawk"?
How does the Tomahawk compare to the Cessna 152?
Piper Tomahawk Inventory by Country
| United States | 5 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Spain | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 1 |
| Slovenia | 1 |
Piper Tomahawk by Price
| Under $100k | 2 |
| Under $200k | 2 |
| Under $300k | 2 |
| Under $500k | 2 |
Recently Sold Piper Tomahawk
| 1978 Tomahawk | $46,512 |
Piper Tomahawk Safety Record
No NTSB events on record for the Piper Tomahawk. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database