I agree ****y gauges on the xxxx that don't work half the time
also they glide like a crowbar.
This quote could easily refer to a PA28-140, or a GAF Nomad, or any number of non French aeroplanes.
My only French experience was the Nord 262, and that was a very good introduction to multi-crew flying and systems more sophisticated than the mechanical flaps of the PA28s, or electric flaps of the 100 series Cessnas.