Originally Posted by
Pilot DAR
Yes, the flying club where I learned to fly was one of the larger Cessna dealers in Canada, so they got dibs on new airplanes. Word was out that the 152 was coming. Upon arrival, it sat proudly on the lawn for a few days in spring 1977, while it awaited some import details to be completed, then it was put on the line with their other dozen airplanes. It was a crappy day windy and raining, and I was just doing circuits pre solo. I asked for the 152, my instructor said yes, so we took it. After some circuits, he got out, and said take it for one circuit, and bring it back. It was really roomy without him! The airplane had 33 hours total time since new - mostly the ferry time from Wichita.
My mom was there with me that day. She told me that my instructor was challenged by the Chief Flying Instructor: "You sent him solo in the brand new one!?!"
Someone photo'd me taxiing it that summer:
A friend of mine not too far away owns it now, I understand that it has more than 16,000 hours on it. Knowing him, it's in beautiful condition...
Cooooooooooooooooool! Awesome photo, funny to see how these planes actually looked like when brand new. Really enjoyed reading the story, I could feel along with you.
I was that guy whose instructor told „now take‘er up alone“ barely 1,5 years ago, albeit not in a new C152, rather in a C172N with around 11000 hours at the time. The very same plane I passed my PPL check ride with, also my most flown one.
My local flight school is in the last stages of fully overhauling and modernising another C172N. Cannot wait to take‘er up. Brand new interior to go with it too, looks brand new while still looking old - if that makes sense.
Also quite funny that we get a mix of Reims built and Cessna built planes, very cool to know the latter ones enjoyed a life overseas.
I‘ve always rented planes with the good ol‘ six pack, but looking forward to trying the G1000 soon on the NVFR training.