Two-seat primary training aircraft · Single-engine piston aircraft · production 1978–1982 · See its reach on the 3D globe
.jpg)
A Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk costs approximately $57k (€52k) to $68k (€63k) to buy at 1978 market values, and about $63k (€58k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $783 (€725) per flight hour all-in. It seats 2, cruises at 100 kt (115 mph) and has a published range of 468 nm (867 km), needing about 1,755 ft (535 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The Tomahawk was Piper's purpose-built trainer, with a roomy cabin and a deliberately honest stall and spin behaviour that earned it both fans and the unkind nickname that follows it around. Owners like its economy and its no-nonsense handling for training. The caveats are specific: the small surviving fleet, the spin and wing-related history, and the need for careful inspection of a design that has aged all mean condition and inspection quality matter more than usual. Bought carefully, it is an economical two-seat trainer with real character.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 757 kg |
|---|---|
| Usable fuel | 114 L |
| Engine | Lycoming O-235-L2C, 112 hp |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 2 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 408 lb (185 kg) |
| Published planning range | 468 nm (867 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 314 nm (582 km) |
| Cruise speed | 100 kt (115 mph) |
| Runway need | ~1,755 ft (535 m) |
| Landing gear | Fixed tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $10k (€9k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $97 (€90) |
Spacious and economical for training, but spin history, wing condition and a small fleet require careful inspection.
Indicative cash costs at 1978 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $59k (€54k) | $1,469 (€1,360) | $355k (€329k) |
| 80 h / year | $63k (€58k) | $783 (€725) | $375k (€347k) |
| 120 h / year | $67k (€62k) | $554 (€513) | $394k (€365k) |
| 180 h / year | $72k (€67k) | $402 (€372) | $423k (€392k) |
Every figure above is built from a $10k (€9k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $97 (€90) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $23k (€22k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
Nothing beyond a pilot certificate for the category and class. With fixed tricycle gear and no endorsement requirement of its own, this is among the simplest certified aircraft to qualify in, which is a real part of why it is cheap to insure and easy to check out in.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 1978 market price for a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk is $57k (€52k) to $68k (€63k). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk works out at roughly $63k (€58k) annually, which is about $783 (€725) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $97 (€90).
Published range is 468 nm (867 km). With 2 people aboard and realistic reserves, plan on a practical radius of about 337 nm rather than the brochure figure.
Plan on approximately 1,755 ft (535 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.