Which plane should I learn in?
Northern Monkey
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Well ive got my first lesson in the cap this monday, Ill give you the lowdown on how it went then.
But im really looking forward to it, at last, a control column and a tail wheel, like a real aeroplane...
NB
But im really looking forward to it, at last, a control column and a tail wheel, like a real aeroplane...
NB
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James
I'd take the PA28 if I were you.
Having learned on PA28s (but also done many hours on C172), the aircraft is very docile and forgiving, easier to handle in a cross wind when you're low time and very stable.
If anything it is too easy to learn in and the C152 would probaly make you a better pilot.
I've nothing against the 172 either, a great aeroplane despite the knocking of those who don't like spamcans - 36,000 customers cannot be wrong. The 172 has better short field performance than the PA28 IMHO.
If you choose the 172, you will have made a good choice too, but the PA28 would be my personal decision in your situation.
I'd take the PA28 if I were you.
Having learned on PA28s (but also done many hours on C172), the aircraft is very docile and forgiving, easier to handle in a cross wind when you're low time and very stable.
If anything it is too easy to learn in and the C152 would probaly make you a better pilot.
I've nothing against the 172 either, a great aeroplane despite the knocking of those who don't like spamcans - 36,000 customers cannot be wrong. The 172 has better short field performance than the PA28 IMHO.
If you choose the 172, you will have made a good choice too, but the PA28 would be my personal decision in your situation.
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Foxy,
The 152 is a love machine! I always find the Robins (HR200) a little unstable in pitch, they don't trim very well.
The 152 is a lovely graceful aeroplane that is a pleasure to fly and takes some effort to fly really well. Perfect as a trainer and onwards. Cessna designed it as a "commuter" and thats just what I do with mine, flying between my 2 offices very regularily. Both conveniantly placed next to an airfield and with Instrument approaches either on the airfield or close by!
It has good legs on it, I have flown mine more than 200 of the 340 hours that I have flown this year. Visiting Belgium, France and the Channel Islands in it.
It does benefit from being airways equippend, Garmin 340a and Fuel computers.
I would take it over just about any other 2 seater out there!
The 152 is a love machine! I always find the Robins (HR200) a little unstable in pitch, they don't trim very well.
The 152 is a lovely graceful aeroplane that is a pleasure to fly and takes some effort to fly really well. Perfect as a trainer and onwards. Cessna designed it as a "commuter" and thats just what I do with mine, flying between my 2 offices very regularily. Both conveniantly placed next to an airfield and with Instrument approaches either on the airfield or close by!
It has good legs on it, I have flown mine more than 200 of the 340 hours that I have flown this year. Visiting Belgium, France and the Channel Islands in it.
It does benefit from being airways equippend, Garmin 340a and Fuel computers.
I would take it over just about any other 2 seater out there!
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bose-x
I agree with you. The 152 is a fine little aircraft - it does exactly what it says on the box and the running costs (from an aeroplane) are reasonable.
Whilst Pierre Robin built some good aeroplanes, I can't help but think that a bit of a mythology has grown around them, due in part to some strong support in the 80s from a well known aviation writer. They're good, but then again so are a lot of other SEPs.
I agree with you. The 152 is a fine little aircraft - it does exactly what it says on the box and the running costs (from an aeroplane) are reasonable.
Whilst Pierre Robin built some good aeroplanes, I can't help but think that a bit of a mythology has grown around them, due in part to some strong support in the 80s from a well known aviation writer. They're good, but then again so are a lot of other SEPs.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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I really don't think that the kind of aircraft you learn in makes a differance. I mastered the basics of flying in a Robin HR200, but can get in to a 172 and fly it with ease. (although I need an instructor as I'm not licenced yet.)
a 152 might be a good choice for you're PPL. Why would you neet to train with two spare seats in the back? in my experience, these are good to put your lunch box on, but not "needed" for normal flight training.
My advice would be to do your PPL on a 152 and when you're licenced spend a couple of hours on a 172 or PA28 with a QFI doing a checkout. Converting between a 152 and a 172 is a no brainer, and converting to a PA28 is easy as well.
WF.
a 152 might be a good choice for you're PPL. Why would you neet to train with two spare seats in the back? in my experience, these are good to put your lunch box on, but not "needed" for normal flight training.
My advice would be to do your PPL on a 152 and when you're licenced spend a couple of hours on a 172 or PA28 with a QFI doing a checkout. Converting between a 152 and a 172 is a no brainer, and converting to a PA28 is easy as well.
WF.
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Which type
In my local club, the choice is C152 v C172 - alright if you like boring spam-cans
Not a lot to choose between them but for post-PPL the C172 is the better option.
Personally, I prefer the PA28/Robin route, but there are fewer Robins in the UK. The position of the door is a pain, but you aren't going to get out anyway...........
For me, the high-wings are claustrophic, and the low-wing spam cans boring, but, as a newbie, you'll learn that later
I'd recommend, as stated elsewhere, invest in a couple of lessons at different schools and using different types to see which suits you best - your PPL career is dependent on the best school for you, your post PPL career is down to you
Not a lot to choose between them but for post-PPL the C172 is the better option.
Personally, I prefer the PA28/Robin route, but there are fewer Robins in the UK. The position of the door is a pain, but you aren't going to get out anyway...........
For me, the high-wings are claustrophic, and the low-wing spam cans boring, but, as a newbie, you'll learn that later
I'd recommend, as stated elsewhere, invest in a couple of lessons at different schools and using different types to see which suits you best - your PPL career is dependent on the best school for you, your post PPL career is down to you
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I mastered the basics of flying in a Robin HR200, but can get in to a 172 and fly it with ease. (although I need an instructor as I'm not licenced yet.)
Northern Monkey
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Newcastle, England
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I had my first lesson in the cap 10b at Sherburn today, after my lesson on monday was rained/blown off.
First impressions were fantastic. It climbed like a rocket, up to 1000ft, were we turned south away from Linton MATZ, for a bit of general handling, a few turns and stalls. (you get a LOT of wing drop on a power on stall) and even a couple of loops and barrel rolls
I struggle to compare it to the cessna, the controls are light, really well ballanced, and super effective, and it cruises at 130kts, combiened with almost glider like visibility.
After 40 minutes, i returned to the circuit, for a few touch and goes, which were a little of a handful in the strong wind, and taxiing accross the wind or downwind leaves you peddaling like a deranged cyclist.
After lunch, once the wind dropped down to 16kts or so, I did a few more dual circuits, before going off solo for a few circuits myself.
Had a fantastic day, and i definately think im going to finish the rest of my ppl in this aircraft. Its a bit more expensive than youre average spamcan, at £120 per hour, but its definately worth it. The only big problem is how silly you look until you can go and get the daft grin surgically removed from your face.
I had only done the first 9 hours of my ppl before today (plus some motor glider hours), so everyone reading this who has a ppl, but only ever flown in pa28/c150s should have no problems at all.
If everyone could just avoid going down there too often, until i finish my ppl, as the availability is currently very good, and i dont want it to decrease to much
Ninja Bill
First impressions were fantastic. It climbed like a rocket, up to 1000ft, were we turned south away from Linton MATZ, for a bit of general handling, a few turns and stalls. (you get a LOT of wing drop on a power on stall) and even a couple of loops and barrel rolls
I struggle to compare it to the cessna, the controls are light, really well ballanced, and super effective, and it cruises at 130kts, combiened with almost glider like visibility.
After 40 minutes, i returned to the circuit, for a few touch and goes, which were a little of a handful in the strong wind, and taxiing accross the wind or downwind leaves you peddaling like a deranged cyclist.
After lunch, once the wind dropped down to 16kts or so, I did a few more dual circuits, before going off solo for a few circuits myself.
Had a fantastic day, and i definately think im going to finish the rest of my ppl in this aircraft. Its a bit more expensive than youre average spamcan, at £120 per hour, but its definately worth it. The only big problem is how silly you look until you can go and get the daft grin surgically removed from your face.
I had only done the first 9 hours of my ppl before today (plus some motor glider hours), so everyone reading this who has a ppl, but only ever flown in pa28/c150s should have no problems at all.
If everyone could just avoid going down there too often, until i finish my ppl, as the availability is currently very good, and i dont want it to decrease to much
Ninja Bill
