Cessna 152 v Ikarus c42

[seymour beaver]

Hi all,I have recently been interested in the Ikarus c42 and im keen to get to fly one.Anyone here flown one and how do they compare to the cessna 150/152.I fancy a change and they appear cheaper to fly as i now need to watch the pennies.

[steveking]

I've done over 250 hours in a C42. Fantastic machine. Similar cruise speeds to the 152 but take off and landing performance is much better. Loads of room. 90kts is about 17 ltrs an hour. Really great handling and easy to fly. The only reason I went onto something else was for a bit more speed but if your happy at 90kts and want cheap running costs then it's a great choice.

[rug-rats]

C42

I wasn't keen on the flap lever position, it's a thing to get used to, also if you have the shoulder straps tight the throttle is difficult to reach. The heater is very good, would make winter flights enjoyable. These are just my impressions, my advice would be have a flight in one, you may well enjoy it, I did. I hope that helps.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I agree with Steve.

The two aircraft are both safe and reliable, and about the same size; the C152 has better payload, but by comparison the C42 uses around half the runway, 2/3 the fuel, cruises about the same speed, climbs much better, and is a newer aeroplane with very good handling.

If I was happy to stick with 1-22POB, day-VMC flying, I'd regard the C42 as by far the better value of the two aeroplanes for a recreational PPL.

In the same class/cost I'd also have a look at the Eurostar, about which I'd make similar comments.

G

[IO540]

What about the wings coming off one of the other types?

[Lone_Ranger]

Rug..I agree on the flap lever, but.......you have problems reaching the throttle? maybe its down to body proportions or something, but I find it very easy to reach between my legs!!! Its a spritely little thing, I have about 50 hours in them and would take one before a 152 any day, except maybe when with a nervous passenger on a thermic day

[jonkil]

I own a C42 with the 912s 100hp engine. Have 500+ hours on them now, excellent aircraft. Cruises 80 knots and 90 on a push. I can operate in and out of 200 metre friends strip if need be. Flown mine all over Ireland, UK and Europe and it is a good touring aircraft. Outperforms a 150/152 in all areas except payload, and if you need VFR day only machine then it would be an excellent choice. Flew yesterday from Cork to Donegal in -1 temp on the ground and with the excellent cabin heater the journey was comfortable and warm. They still hold their second hand value well and when they come up for sale they don't sit around, I have a couple of clients here in Ireland looking for C42's now.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by IO540

What about the wings coming off one of the other types?

Care to clarify the question?

G

[Genghis the Engineer]

A quick comparison (I've used the 80hp C42):

Stall
C42: 32kn with flaps, 41kn without
C152: 38kn with flaps, 42kn without

Take-off distance
C42: 220m
C152: 410m

Landing distance
C42: 205m
C152: 366m

Sea level climb rate, MTOW
C42: 960fpm
C152: 715fpm

Glide performance
C42: 11:1
C152: 7.6:1

Typical payload
C42: 185kg
C152: 210kg
(Pilot + passenger/instructor + fuel + baggage)

Typical fuel consumption
C42: 17 litres/hr MOGAS
C152: 25 litres/hr AVGAS


(Sources - C152 PoH, Guy Gratton's "Microlight Flyer's Handbook", my own notes from flying both types.)

G

[CraigyD]

After reading this thread im quite interested in flying a c42 myself. Im in a similar situation to the original poster, plenty of time on 152s and fancy something different and of course, cheap! Two questions which probably have simple answers:

1) Can I fly c42s and similar aircraft in its catagory on an FAA PPL?
2) Can I count the hours gained towards the 150 to begin CPL course/200 for CPL issue?

Sorry if the answers are obvious, just thought i'd post here before calling the CAA on my mobile !

(not posted this year yet, so happy new year to you all!)

Regards

Craigyd

[znww5]

"Care to clarify the question?"

Eurostar spar caps - following a fatal incident in Switzerland it was found that the spar caps in some Eurostars a) used sub-standard materials and b) there was the suggestion that they may be under-specified. The situation is still developing, but I believe that a temporary reduction in Vne has been advised in the meantime.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by znww5

"Care to clarify the question?"

Eurostar spar caps - following a fatal incident in Switzerland it was found that the spar caps in some Eurostars a) used sub-standard materials and b) there was the suggestion that they may be under-specified. The situation is still developing, but I believe that a temporary reduction in Vne has been advised in the meantime.

Nothing to that effect in the TADS. Possibly something to do with non UK-build-standard aeroplanes?

G

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by CraigyD

After reading this thread im quite interested in flying a c42 myself. Im in a similar situation to the original poster, plenty of time on 152s and fancy something different and of course, cheap! Two questions which probably have simple answers:

1) Can I fly c42s and similar aircraft in its catagory on an FAA PPL?
2) Can I count the hours gained towards the 150 to begin CPL course/200 for CPL issue?

Sorry if the answers are obvious, just thought i'd post here before calling the CAA on my mobile !

(not posted this year yet, so happy new year to you all!)

Regards

Craigyd

(1) Yes, although you *may* need some microlight differences training (certainly a good idea, regardless of legalities).

(2) No.

G

[CraigyD]

Thanks Genghis! Will look more into flying one once i've finished collecting various bits of paper!

Regards,

Craigyd

[Rod1]

The Ikarus C42 is available in two formats in the UK. One is a micro, with a MTOW of 450kg. The other is a VLA with 473kg MTOW. With the VLA version you have about the same useful load as a 152 and you are flying a “group a” aircraft from a licensing POV. The same is true of several of the “micros”. The differences in the airframe are generally negligible.

Rod1

[steveking]

A couple of photos of the C42 to get you going. Simple and great fun to fly.

[jonkil]

Originally Posted by Rod1

The Ikarus C42 is available in two formats in the UK. One is a micro, with a MTOW of 450kg. The other is a VLA with 473kg MTOW. With the VLA version you have about the same useful load as a 152 and you are flying a “group a” aircraft from a licensing POV. The same is true of several of the “micros”. The differences in the airframe are generally negligible.

Rod1

Correct Rod, difference in the C42 is firewall cover and a drain on the pitot tube, no other difference. I brought a Group A version back from the UK and have just re-categorised it as a Microlight again for the client.

[Genghis the Engineer]

UK regs however won't allow non-owner instruction or hire in a group A C42 since they'll all be categorised as homebuilts. The C42 microlights are classed as "Type Approved" which means that they can be used in flying schools or hired out.

G

[A and C]

The C42 looks like a very nice aircraft and the performance is good but will it still be going strong after thirty years of student landings?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by A and C

The C42 looks like a very nice aircraft and the performance is good but will it still be going strong after thirty years of student landings?

There are plenty of Thruster TST's going strong which are pretty much the same construction as the C42 and coming up on 30 years in service.

So, yes, I think it will.

And aircraft like the Thruster or C42 cost about 1/3rd the price of an equivalent Cessna, both new and 25 years old.

G