I instructed in the Tomahawk for 2 years. Put me down in the "it's a great trainer and don't believe the negative hype category". As for stall spin characteristics, a couple of sessions of starting at a high enough altitude and holding the stick back to the stop, so as to keep the airplane in a stall, keeping the wings level with the rudder and then rudder and ailerons will give you a great feel for the airplane. You will build much confidence in the airplane and you will never be unsure of its stall mannerisms. Not that it is a great feat to transition from a Cessna to a Tomahawk but, compared to each other, Cessna to Tomahawk transition has always been a little more challenging than a Tomahawk to Cessna transition.

The control response is wonderful when compared to a 150/152/172. Not to mention, it is very comfortable. It has the same interior width as a 172.

The only thing that Cessnas are better for is short and soft field takeoffs and landings. In the Tomahawk, the inefficiency of the elevator at low speeds only applies to taxiing on a soft field and early in the takeoff roll on a soft field. It is never an issue on a hard surface.

Overall, I think it is a superior trainer than a 150/152/172.


BTW; If you happen to turn around and look at the tail during stalls, don't get nervous. It's supposed to be a shuttering blur!