Would you rather start learning to fly in a C152 or C172?
 

Hi guys,

I am planning on starting my flight training shortly and the trainig school I will most likely be going through, RQAC, offers the option of either trainig for your GFPT in a C152 or C172. Now since while training for the PPL I would be flying the C172, would it be better to learn in it right from the start? I went up for a TIF the other day in a 152 and the instructor said it would be a good thing learning in a 172 from the start. So guys, please tell me your thoughts regarding this. I loo kfoward to hearing from you!

Regards,

Chris

Can't really do a spot of aerobatics in a 172!
I learnt to fly in a 152 and wouldn't change anything. If money is an issue, they are cheaper and I found the 152 a lot harder to fly well and it was tricker to make a decent landing in. :}

Chris,
I personally would recommend a C152 (or any two seat basic trainer) in the first instance unless comfort is needed, i.e. you are a person of size. It is cheaper to learn to fly and certainly requires a little more finesse than a C172. I am sure your instructor would rather be in a C172, and maybe this is why you were advised to do it. Once you have completed your GFPT, then is a good time to convert to a four seater, take your mates for a fly and then go on with your PPL. At least you will then begin to get experience in different aircraft. Not a particularly huge leap to go to a C172, so no real need to get the experience of flying it during your GFPT.
Cheers, P-W

IMHO, starting in a C152 is ideal as you'll be learning the basics of handling an aircraft from scratch. I noticed a difference when going from 152 to 172 (and also from 172 to 172RG) with the amount of load required for banking and yawing. The less the load, the easier for you to develop your handling skills and technique. Also, IMHO, crosswind landing techniques are better learnt in a lighter aircraft.
Just my two pesos, worth.

Go For The 152
 

The C152 is an easier and more nimble AC to fly. I learned in one and found it to be very forgiving and predictable. The C172 takes more skill to manage. Especially to land when lightly loaded and in low wind.

The transition from C152 - C172 is no big deal if you do it later when your handling skills are more advanced. Transition to LOW WING AC is easier again.

The C172 is a fussy AC requiring more finesse. Trying to master its requirements right from the outset would be enough to set back any student. I am sure it is more time efficient to transition C152 - C172 later on.:cool:

Thanks for your reply guys. Yes I think I will go for learning in the C152, thanks to your thoughts and also the fact that I need all the help I can get financially wise to do my training. Feel free to keep posting if you like. Thanks again,

Chris

Would you rather start learning to fly in a C152 or C172?
 

Do your ab initio in the C152, and your X-countries in the C172!

Best of both worlds.

R:cool:

start on the 152 then when you have got the GFPT then got tto the PA28/C172 then for the cpl something like an arrow. learn the basics 1st on the 152, it will teach you to really make a good x-wind landing, and is quite touchy on the controls. learn and master the basic stuff first on older equipment then when you have got confidence go to the new stuff

Pall

You're just mess'in with us, aren't you?

I gotta bunch of hours in both types and, IMHO, the 152 requires significantly more deft (now there's a nice word) touch than the 172.

R:cool:

Navs in a 152... soooooooo slow!!!

1 up (1 POB) Id have to agree a 172 requires more finesse....750hrs 172 300hrs 150/152 exp talking.:ok:

C150 or C172? Both suck, every time you want to look at something there's a wing in the way. Electric flaps are for shirt-lifters also.

I agree with those well above, C 150 for the GFPT and C 172 for your cross country.

SPODMAN:- I see from your profile that you fly a C150

Thanks Scrambler, I'll change it now, should read "flew C150, flys P28A"

hey Spodman, what about electric fuel pumps?

They're for shirt-lifters who fly low-wings. :} :} :} :}

Agreed!:ok:

Sometimes 172's are recommended by 'big' instructors. With two moderately large people and a sniff of fuel, the 152 usually ends up overloaded. - Very inconvenient when the last person has very kindly filled the tanks. That's possibly why Cessna don't make 152's any more and the 'big' 172's are selling well to the 'big' American flight schools, who no doubt have lots of 'big' (mac?) instructors and students these days, which may not have been the case back in the late 70's when the 152 was in its heyday. - Still by far the better trainer though.

Pall
Me tinks you have had a problem in a 172 "more finesse" ? tin buckets are all easy!!! give some of the old birds a go and you guy's might not have been flying at all for quite awhile.!!!!!!!!!!:p

I wouldn't call myself an expert..(about 700 172 time) but I always get the feeling that with a bigger aircraft if you stuff a manouver up it is harder to get it back (before the instructor notices). Like loosing altitude in turns. (probably got something to do with inertia)