C150 vs PA28 First flight lesson
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C150 vs PA28 First flight lesson
Hi everyone,
I am taking my first flight lesson having not being on a plane for 9 years. I am 24 and got it as a birthday present. But I want to go on and get my ppl.
Now I was wondering which plane I should use for this flight and onwards ?
I have heard that the Cessna 150 is a better trainer as you feel turbelance more and I don't mind the little room as I am only 5,7. What are the benefits of both.
Also is high wing or low wing better.
Sorry for the newbie questions 😃
Thanks
I am taking my first flight lesson having not being on a plane for 9 years. I am 24 and got it as a birthday present. But I want to go on and get my ppl.
Now I was wondering which plane I should use for this flight and onwards ?
I have heard that the Cessna 150 is a better trainer as you feel turbelance more and I don't mind the little room as I am only 5,7. What are the benefits of both.
Also is high wing or low wing better.
Sorry for the newbie questions 😃
Thanks
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They both have advantages and disadvantages. Personally I find the PA28 much easier to land than the C150. It is a lot more comfortable and has more power.
The C150 is an excellent little machine too and very easy to fly. The high wing design also makes it very easy to navigate when doing XC trips. However you'll find once you start doing a lot of circuits that the high wings become a disadvantage. And in my case legroom could be better but I'm okay with it (I'm 6' 4").
In my opinion if you can take the PPL on a C150 then go for it. You will most likely be able to save some money and once you get the PPL you can always move on to one of the others. But it all comes down to personal preference. I think you should go for a small flight on both first and then make your decision.
The C150 is an excellent little machine too and very easy to fly. The high wing design also makes it very easy to navigate when doing XC trips. However you'll find once you start doing a lot of circuits that the high wings become a disadvantage. And in my case legroom could be better but I'm okay with it (I'm 6' 4").
In my opinion if you can take the PPL on a C150 then go for it. You will most likely be able to save some money and once you get the PPL you can always move on to one of the others. But it all comes down to personal preference. I think you should go for a small flight on both first and then make your decision.
If I was ab-initio learning to fly, with the shortage of money usually experienced in such situations, I'd choose the Cessna.
-Slightly cheaper to run.
-Better control feel through the speed range - and particularly near the stall.
-Can demonstrate spins and recovery technique.
-Limited performance, which will in turn force you to fly more accurately to get the best out of it.
Disadvantages compared to brand P:
-Much less roomy inside. Maps and other paraphenalia storage room is quite limited.
-As above, so when you get your license (and before you've done a type rating for a four seater) you can carry one passenger and a tiny amount of luggage.
-I find them a little noisier.
-You're somewhat more performance-limited on a hot day w/ 2 on board and full tanks. (Forget long grass takeoffs on short strips. But, tbh, the PA28 doesn't excel in that situation, either.)
Have a trial/introductory lesson in both. Choose the one that greases your bearings.
-Slightly cheaper to run.
-Better control feel through the speed range - and particularly near the stall.
-Can demonstrate spins and recovery technique.
-Limited performance, which will in turn force you to fly more accurately to get the best out of it.
Disadvantages compared to brand P:
-Much less roomy inside. Maps and other paraphenalia storage room is quite limited.
-As above, so when you get your license (and before you've done a type rating for a four seater) you can carry one passenger and a tiny amount of luggage.
-I find them a little noisier.
-You're somewhat more performance-limited on a hot day w/ 2 on board and full tanks. (Forget long grass takeoffs on short strips. But, tbh, the PA28 doesn't excel in that situation, either.)
Have a trial/introductory lesson in both. Choose the one that greases your bearings.
I always preferred low wing aircraft with a stick, then again I did the vast majority of my light aircraft flying in a Grob Tutor.
Having flown both the PA28 and C152, I think I prefer the 28 ever so slightly, although it's a good 10 years since I've flown either.
Having flown both the PA28 and C152, I think I prefer the 28 ever so slightly, although it's a good 10 years since I've flown either.
I agree with Targ - although in Ireland there will be no requirement for a "type rating for a 4 seatrr": just a bit of training - typically an hour or two as a new PPL, to switch to a new type. Just enough to get you and your instructor happy.
I have plenty of hours on both, and whilst I prefer the PA28 for touring, regard the C150 as a better training aeroplane for all the reasons Targ says plus a door both sides and simpler cockpit.
G
I have plenty of hours on both, and whilst I prefer the PA28 for touring, regard the C150 as a better training aeroplane for all the reasons Targ says plus a door both sides and simpler cockpit.
G
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Looking back, I really enjoyed doing my PPL on a 152. It is extemely forgiving and has basically no bad traits. Compared to a low wing, you have to work the landings a bit more (less ground effect), but that helps for later when you fly other aircraft. A real "stick and rudder" a/c. 
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I flew the C150/2 during training and the PA28 after I got my licence.
I did one rather big 'cruncher' onto the runway when landing with the Cessna that I think the PA28 may have had more difficulty absorbing (when I commented upon it, the instructor said he'd experienced worse. He was a straight-talking guy who called a spade a spade, so if it was truly bad I'd have been told in no uncertain terms!).
Maybe something to consider?
I did one rather big 'cruncher' onto the runway when landing with the Cessna that I think the PA28 may have had more difficulty absorbing (when I commented upon it, the instructor said he'd experienced worse. He was a straight-talking guy who called a spade a spade, so if it was truly bad I'd have been told in no uncertain terms!).
Maybe something to consider?
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Thank you everybody for the replies. I am thinking of just starting with the c150. Another thing is I see most of you's are saying that one of the benefits is that the Cessna is cheaper but the school are offering both at the same price. Does that change anyone's opinion ?
Still most likely going with the C150 as the instructor suggested it as a better teacher.
Thanks everyone
Cathal
Still most likely going with the C150 as the instructor suggested it as a better teacher.
Thanks everyone
Cathal
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Start in the C150/152. If you enjoy it then do one trip in the PA28, then decide which you prefer and stick to it for your PPL. You can then do familiarisation training in any other SEP once you have got your licence.
More important than which type of aircraft, is the quality of your training and how comfortable you feel with your ATO/RF.
Good luck!
More important than which type of aircraft, is the quality of your training and how comfortable you feel with your ATO/RF.
Good luck!
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for training I would recommend C150, it's more forgiving, slower, therefore easier to navigate and it gives you a bit more time to actually understand what the instructor is trying to tell you. I never bounced a C150 during my training, it basically lands itself. Stall recoveries are easy too, and should your examiner pull your throttle back to simulate and engine failure whilst you're doing the overhead join, you can pretty much pull your flaps out and go as tight as you can and you'll make it.. Try that in a pa28 and if you're speed is not right you will float forever. C150 allows you to learn basics very quickly, however, as soon as that licence is sorted, I would pick pa28 over c150 at any day of the week. As for training the only exercise where pa28 is in some way easier to handle is steep turns - I found it more stable and easier to maintain constant bank angle than c150
I generally believe that when it comes to quality training, one shouldn't look for the easy way out as hardship builds skill and character.. however when the price for a lesson is set where it is, you are probably better off knocking that training in a relatively shorter way and leaving some budget for staying current post licence than struggling with a more slippery plane and blowing all your flying budget for a year
I generally believe that when it comes to quality training, one shouldn't look for the easy way out as hardship builds skill and character.. however when the price for a lesson is set where it is, you are probably better off knocking that training in a relatively shorter way and leaving some budget for staying current post licence than struggling with a more slippery plane and blowing all your flying budget for a year
If height/weight is not a concern go for the C150.
Yes its ugly and slow but its a great trainer as it shows you all the important bits at a leasurely pace:
Yaw, roll, adverse yaw,right turning tendencies, stall buffet..acceleration or lack thereof..all great stuff.
The Pa28 is like an American pick up truck, waaay less feedback through the yoke and I think the C150 is better for teaching landings.
You can do beautiful crosswind landings on one wheel, try that in a Piper dumptruck.
* If it matters I have 8000hrs of instruction given, probably a 1000 in the C150/C152 *
Yes its ugly and slow but its a great trainer as it shows you all the important bits at a leasurely pace:
Yaw, roll, adverse yaw,right turning tendencies, stall buffet..acceleration or lack thereof..all great stuff.
The Pa28 is like an American pick up truck, waaay less feedback through the yoke and I think the C150 is better for teaching landings.
You can do beautiful crosswind landings on one wheel, try that in a Piper dumptruck.
* If it matters I have 8000hrs of instruction given, probably a 1000 in the C150/C152 *
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I had a trial lesson in a knackered old Warrior but did my PPL at the flying school next door in very modern C172s. I don't think it matters either way, you'll get used to whatever you learn to fly in.
High wing is crap for visibility but It was nice to fly and kitted out with all the fancy stuff.
I fly a low wing with a stick now and I love the visibility but I could quite happily go back to a Cessna.
If I were you I'd go for the cheapest option and use the change to convert to something more exciting once you have your licence in hand.
High wing is crap for visibility but It was nice to fly and kitted out with all the fancy stuff.
I fly a low wing with a stick now and I love the visibility but I could quite happily go back to a Cessna.
If I were you I'd go for the cheapest option and use the change to convert to something more exciting once you have your licence in hand.
Hi Flying Fly,
As others have said it really does not matter that much if you are starting from no previous experience. I learnt to fly in a Rollason Condor tail wheel aircraft. People that flew that after getting their license on a nose wheel aircraft might say that the conversion process to a tail wheel aircraft was a bit challenging.I did not know the difference when I started and just accepted the qualities of the aircraft. Once you have your license, conversion to other single engine types should not be that much of a challenge.
I, of course,would be biased into saying that a tailwheel aircraft training experience possibly produces a better pilot at the end!
Whatever, just do it and enjoy, its one of the best things that you can do in life!
Meldrew.
As others have said it really does not matter that much if you are starting from no previous experience. I learnt to fly in a Rollason Condor tail wheel aircraft. People that flew that after getting their license on a nose wheel aircraft might say that the conversion process to a tail wheel aircraft was a bit challenging.I did not know the difference when I started and just accepted the qualities of the aircraft. Once you have your license, conversion to other single engine types should not be that much of a challenge.
I, of course,would be biased into saying that a tailwheel aircraft training experience possibly produces a better pilot at the end!
Whatever, just do it and enjoy, its one of the best things that you can do in life!
Meldrew.
After teaching for years in both I'm going to go against the main sentiment here and highly recommend the PA28. It handlles better, less mushy and more like other more advanced aircraft. It's more comfortable, it's a better instrument platform, it's more responsive, climbs better, and later on after you have a license you will have experience in a plane much more suited for taking passengers.
The pro high wing vision argument is bunk. You can't really look straight down that great in either airplane and in a Cherokee you can see better where it counts....where you are turning. For a few bucks an hour more I think you will have a more satisfying experience in a PA28.
Fly them both for a couple of hours each. The Piper is just way more civilized. It's a wonderful trainer. There is a reason most civil aircraft designs are low wing. It's just a better experience.
You can dance down the runway one wheel to the other in crosswind landing in a Cessna, Cherokee or any Piper except an Aerostar so I'm not sure where that's coming from. Piece of cake in either.
If your budget to complete your training precludes the PA28 well that takes care of that anyway.
The pro high wing vision argument is bunk. You can't really look straight down that great in either airplane and in a Cherokee you can see better where it counts....where you are turning. For a few bucks an hour more I think you will have a more satisfying experience in a PA28.
Fly them both for a couple of hours each. The Piper is just way more civilized. It's a wonderful trainer. There is a reason most civil aircraft designs are low wing. It's just a better experience.
You can dance down the runway one wheel to the other in crosswind landing in a Cessna, Cherokee or any Piper except an Aerostar so I'm not sure where that's coming from. Piece of cake in either.
If your budget to complete your training precludes the PA28 well that takes care of that anyway.
Last edited by 737er; 15th Feb 2016 at 00:44.
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A real "stick and rudder" a/c.
Apart from the fact that it does not have a stick, neither the Cessna or the Pa28 are that nice as FLYING machines and there are far better aircraft. Apart from that, given only the two to chose from, I think the previous comments pretty much cover it!
