BeachCraft Skipper VS Piper Tomahawk

Mohamed Sabri

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Dec 22, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/22/96

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I'm planing to buy a two seater starter plane very soon, for their roomy
interior and good visibility I am considering this two types. Any coments
on whitch one is better and why? the Tomahawk is 79 model and 2200 hours
S-new and 2200 SMOH for $ 10,000 and the Skipper is 79 model 1900 hours
Since new and 1900 SMOH for $ 17,000 or
79 model 1900 hours since new and 150 SMOH for $24,000.
Please any way to know what is resonable price for any of thes planes and
if there is a blue book value, and where can find out about the value of an
airplane. Any thing I should be looking for like in sales contract,
inspection , or any thing els.

Thanks in advance
Moe Sabri

Dave Butler

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Dec 22, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/22/96

to Mohamed Sabri

Moe, I found the Aeroprice appraisal service very helpful for answering
questions of value like this. You can get a price quotation for $20 on a
single airplane, or you can buy the software (not sure of the price,
around $100) for as many appraisals as you want of a single type. You
can find them at www.avweb.com as one of the 'sponsors' of the site. The
site requires a userid and password, but you can get one for free.

If you're considering the Tomahawk, be certain you have read the
Aviation Safety magazine describing alleged changes in the Tomahawk
design between the prototype that was used for certification and the
production models. I don't know whether this report has been
corroborated in any way, but I'm sure it has depressed the prices of
Tomahawks.

I have no personal connection with Aeroprice, just a happy user.

Dave Butler

Jim T

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Dec 24, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/24/96

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First thing to check would be Trade-A-Plane for price comparisons on
the two aircraft. Check the TBO on each. It sounds as thought one
of the aircraft is very close to its TBO and if so, you can figure
on an additional 8-10,000 for a good overhaul.

K Proctor

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Dec 25, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/25/96

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Moe,
I used to own a '78 Tomahawk. I thought it was a great airplane. I now fly
a Bonanza and think that the Boanaza on landing feels just like the
Tomahawk did (sorry, ABS members). The Tomahawk could do nasty things when
spinning, so one had to be quite careful. The Skipper was a much nicer
plane but similar (duh!). The Skipper had a better door latch mechanism
also. The Tomahawk might actually be unsafe if you had to egress quickly,
since it always took two hands for me to open mine.

My '78 with full IFR equipment, about 900 on the engine (remember, though,
2400 TBO!!), terrible paint, and poor interior (although no tears in the
fabric), was $15K. The equivalent Skipper was almost $10K more when I was
looking. I don't think it was worth the difference in price.

As usual, YMMV.

Good luck. Either plane will be a bunch of fun!

Keith

Dave Butler <fly...@concentric.net> wrote in article
<32BD89...@concentric.net>...

Sam Evett

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Dec 26, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/26/96

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K Proctor wrote:
> The Tomahawk could do nasty things when
> spinning, so one had to be quite careful.

Just curious. What nasty things could it do?

Some things which come to mind:
* Refuse to quit.
* Shed wings (or tail).
* Induce vomiting in the passengers (or pilot).

Did I miss any? :)

Graham Bromley

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Dec 26, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/26/96

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According to the Consumer Guide Used Aircraft report on the
Tomahawk, this airplane requires (underline requires) full
forward elevator to recover, plus a full turn rotation even
then. Anything less and recovery might not occur. Many
airplanes in the utility category will of course recover as soon
as the stall is broken.

Having read the Consumer Guide article I would not personally
deliberately spin this airplane under any circumstances.

Graham