SECTION 7
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
OF THE AlRPLANE AND ITS SYSTEMS
7.1 THE AIRPLANE
The Piper Tomahawk is a single-engine, fixed gear, low wing
monoplane of all metal construction. It has two-place seating and a one
hundred pound baggage capacity.
7.3 AIRFRAME
The primary structure, with the exception of the steel tube engine
mount, steel landing gear components and isolated areas, is of aluminum
alloy construction. Fiberglass and thermoplastic are used in the engine
cowling and in the extremities -- the wing tips, fairings, etc. -- and in
nonstructural components throughout the airplane.
The fuselage is a conventional, all-metal, semi-monocoque structure
with riveted skin. The two cockpit doors, one on each side of the fuselage,
are hinged forward, allowing entrance and exit across wing walks which
extend to the trailing edge of each wing. Four large windows -- including a
windshield and a rear window, each of a one piece, wrap-around design, and
two side windows, one in each door -- provide an all-around view from the
cockpit. Removable access panels on each side of the fuselage forward of the
cockpit aid in inspection and maintenance of equipment aft of the firewall and
forward of the instrument panel.
Each wing is a full cantilever construction incorporating a laminar flow,
NASA GA (W)-1 airfoil section. The wings are all metal with the exception
of the removable thermoplastic wing tips. An I-beam main spar extends
through the length of each wing and into the center of the fuselage where the
spars are joined with high strength butt fittings, making, in effect, one
continuous main spar. The main spar is attached to each side of the fuselage
and to the center fuselage tunnel. An aft spar in each wing extends from the
wing tip to the wing root and is bolted to the side of the fuselage.
PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
SECTION 7
PA-38-112, TOMAHAWK
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
ISSUED: JANUARY 20, 1978
REPORT: 2126
7-1
SECTION 7
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
OF THE AlRPLANE AND ITS SYSTEMS
7.1 THE AIRPLANE
The Piper Tomahawk is a single-engine, fixed gear, low wing
monoplane of all metal construction. It has two-place seating and a one
hundred pound baggage capacity.
7.3 AIRFRAME
The primary structure, with the exception of the steel tube engine
mount, steel landing gear components and isolated areas, is of aluminum
alloy construction. Fiberglass and thermoplastic are used in the engine
cowling and in the extremities -- the wing tips, fairings, etc. -- and in
nonstructural components throughout the airplane.
The fuselage is a conventional, all-metal, semi-monocoque structure
with riveted skin. The two cockpit doors, one on each side of the fuselage,
are hinged forward, allowing entrance and exit across wing walks which
extend to the trailing edge of each wing. Four large windows -- including a
windshield and a rear window, each of a one piece, wrap-around design, and
two side windows, one in each door -- provide an all-around view from the
cockpit. Removable access panels on each side of the fuselage forward of the
cockpit aid in inspection and maintenance of equipment aft of the firewall and
forward of the instrument panel.
Each wing is a full cantilever construction incorporating a laminar flow,
NASA GA (W)-1 airfoil section. The wings are all metal with the exception
of the removable thermoplastic wing tips. An I-beam main spar extends
through the length of each wing and into the center of the fuselage where the
spars are joined with high strength butt fittings, making, in effect, one
continuous main spar. The main spar is attached to each side of the fuselage
and to the center fuselage tunnel. An aft spar in each wing extends from the
wing tip to the wing root and is bolted to the side of the fuselage.
PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
SECTION 7
PA-38-112, TOMAHAWK
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
ISSUED: JANUARY 20, 1978
REPORT: 2126
7-1