Cessna 152/172 or Piper Cherokee

[xXmuffin0manXx]

Hi

If this question has already been asked before, please just redirect me there as after a brief search, I couldn't find one (I think I do remember one of these threads being created before).

I've been going around a few Bankstown flying schools and after a fleet tour of some of the schools, the schools that have been mentioned here as profession, reputable etc, had piper cherokees as their basic trainer.

So my question is whether there is any big difference in a cessna or piper and if you could point out the advantages/differences.

Also, if I train on the Piper Cherokee, would I have to at some later date do an endorsement for the Cessna 172?

Thanks:ok:

[tea & bikkies]

They are basically the same...the piper may be a little easier to land due to the low wing and ground effect. Certainly see a lot more ground from the cessna with high wing, its personal preference really.
Once you have soloed its only a check flight you need, a few circuits with an instructor till he is happy you have a handle on the other aircraft type:)

[Horatio Leafblower]

Cessnas fly better than Pipers...

Pipers are cheaper

so...

sausage factories in Bankstown can afford fleets of ****box Pipers easier than fleets of ****box Cessnas.

Logical. :sad:

[soseg]

Have not flown pipers but I'm told by those who have flown both - Cessna's are a tad harder to fly (nothing bad...) ie they make better pilots, and the pipers are easier.

So one mate of mine who started on 172s/182s and now is flying pipers says its a lot easier to fly, handle... better visibility... just apparently harder to stall!

[remoak]

They are basically the same, most of the "differences" are urban myth. If I'm doing scenics, it's the 172 every time. If I'm going cross-country, I prefer the Piper. I definitely prefer the Arrow to the 182RG.

Of course I prefer a Grumman AA5B to either of them...

[GNR]

i would go for cessna, because when u do get your first it will most likely be in a cessna 210/206 or 207, and they are just like a big version of C172.

but overall it probably doesnt matter to much

[Tarq57]

The Piper Cherokee has barely a mean bone in its body, and is more forgiving of sub-standard handling.
The Cessna (to roughly plagiarize from another thread) will reward better flying ability with better results.
If I wanted to take passengers on a cross country I'd probably use the Cherokee.
If I wanted to operate into a short aerodrome, (strip) or do anything a little demanding, I'd prefer the Cessna. It handles better, and you can feel what it's doing more.

[27/09]

It really doesn't matter what you learn in, however having taught in both Cherokees, 152s and 172s and a few other in between I think the Cherokee produces a better pilot than the Cessnas I'm not saying the Cherokee is a better aircraft just better for teaching pilots to fly.

The Cherokee teaches fuel management, the elevator feel is lighter than the Cessnas therefore requiring smoother control inputs and the smaller flaps on the Cherokees means the pilot has to be better at controlling his energy (speed and height) during the approach to land rather than the barn door flaps on the Cessnas which can fix most fast and high stuff ups.

The later taper wing Cherokees will also float like crazy if the threshold speed is more than a couple of knots higher than it should be, teaching the importance of accurate speed control on the approach.

[clark y]

Muffin Man,

It's no different to Ford v's Holden, Wallabies v's All Blacks etc. In the end it's personal preference.

Clark y.

[HardCorePawn]

FYI, the "correct" answers are:

Coke, Holden, All Blacks, Boeing, Cherokee... :E

[Alex 009]

Sorry mate, I think you will find the correct answer includes Ford :}

Anyway, throughout my training I loved flying the PA28s, however the Cessnas will give you an idea with what to expect when you move on to the 200 series.

If I were to hire either one for an hour though, my money would go with the Cherokee.

[Back Pressure]

Haven't flown Cessnas (yet) - only Cherokees, so I'm obviously biased (or at least ignorant). Two things though:

1. Landing in strong gusty xwind looks a lot more "exciting" in a high-wing as opposed to low-wing
2. Cherokees are pretty robust little buggers and can take what students dish out (probably true of the cessnas as well)

BP