Ergonomics of a Cessna 152
Join Date: May 2001
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I have had a shot of a shed aka the shorts 360 and it is remarkably similar apart from the PA38 is bit lighter on the controls and about 5% of the switches to play with. 
If we were going on looks alone nobody would ever fly helicopters. But due to there handling characteristics people look below the surface. (Which does get better with a decent paint job which not many PA38's have)
If we were going on looks alone nobody would ever fly helicopters. But due to there handling characteristics people look below the surface. (Which does get better with a decent paint job which not many PA38's have)
Join Date: Jan 2009
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I found my right shoulder quite stiff when I started learning in a 152. I think a bit part of it is tensions from 'stress' when you're learning, you relax soon enough and it's more comfy.
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Its because most normal sized people have to sit at a slight angle to the controls just so they don't nick the other persons cockpit space.
I usually ended up with half my back up against the door, one hand over the back of the seat holding onto the fire bottle just so the student had some elbow room to make a pigs ear of it.
After a few lesson's you both know each other so without knowing it you cuddle up and don't mind infringing each others space. Although being a big shouldered lad with some students we wouldn't have been able to get the door shut if we had both sat straight on.
The only comfy way to fly one is by sitting in the middle and using a pedal each side for the rudder. Has the advantage as well that the CofG is in the middle so it fly's in a straight line as well.
Where as in the PA38 you only infringe the students space when they have a fat arse and you need to get at the trimmer. The rest of the time you have more than enough room to sit/slouch in what ever position you like. The other thing as well is that the PA38 seat travel is huge so you don't end up having to ram your feet under the pedals or get sore legs being unable to stretch them.
I usually ended up with half my back up against the door, one hand over the back of the seat holding onto the fire bottle just so the student had some elbow room to make a pigs ear of it.
After a few lesson's you both know each other so without knowing it you cuddle up and don't mind infringing each others space. Although being a big shouldered lad with some students we wouldn't have been able to get the door shut if we had both sat straight on.
The only comfy way to fly one is by sitting in the middle and using a pedal each side for the rudder. Has the advantage as well that the CofG is in the middle so it fly's in a straight line as well.
Where as in the PA38 you only infringe the students space when they have a fat arse and you need to get at the trimmer. The rest of the time you have more than enough room to sit/slouch in what ever position you like. The other thing as well is that the PA38 seat travel is huge so you don't end up having to ram your feet under the pedals or get sore legs being unable to stretch them.
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Australia
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Well, I've had another lesson today and I think I found a comfortable strategy. Firstly I'd like to say that wearing only a long sleeved polo shirt was actually warm enough. So no more thick jackets. No more death grips on the yoke. As a result of that my arm and wrist weren't sore at the end of the lesson. Lastly I moved the seat back by about 1". The result of this was to make me reach a little further for the controls. By doing that my torso was twisted just slightly but not enought to make it uncomfortable. This meant enough room for all. Downside of moving the seat back and inch now my leg is pretty much at full extension when pushing the rudder controls. Surprised but thankful, after an hour of flying I actually still felt quite good. Now, a few hours later, I'm still ok with no aches or pain. Thanks for the advice guys!
On a slight different and possibly off topic note, is it worth changing instructors just because of the the plane they use. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy flying in a 152 given I haven't flown anything else and the instructor clearly knows his stuff but am I missing out not training on a different aircraft? There a other outfits in the area that use PA38's, 150/152 and DA20's. Being only 4 lessons in I'm not that attached to my current school yet.
On a slight different and possibly off topic note, is it worth changing instructors just because of the the plane they use. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy flying in a 152 given I haven't flown anything else and the instructor clearly knows his stuff but am I missing out not training on a different aircraft? There a other outfits in the area that use PA38's, 150/152 and DA20's. Being only 4 lessons in I'm not that attached to my current school yet.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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I think Clifford is right. If your left shoulder is hurting, you're probably not trimming the airplane out. To keep the airplane in cruise, you really only need to pinch the yoke with 2 fingers for minor adjustments. I remember the first flight or two, my left arm hurt too. Now I've gone too far the other way and sometimes get accused of flying the airplane with the trim only. 
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I sure read a lot of whining here (seems to be from instructors in particular) about the modest cabin space in the aircraft types generally used for flight training.
What I don't read about are the students and instructors saying how pleased they were to pay the extra to learn or teach in roomier planes... Cessna Centurion, Cherokee Six, Bonanza, or Rockwell Commander (which is spin approved for that element of the training). They just keep getting back into a 150, and complaining about it!
Then.... The student graduates from the "cramped" 150, and "moves up" to the Mooney! How was that for roomy?
Written by a proud 23 year C-150 owner, who is 6'3", 195 pounds. If I do feel a little cramped, and am flying when the depths of winter are behind me, I often fly with a door off (which I approved). The 150 is very roomy that way!
What I don't read about are the students and instructors saying how pleased they were to pay the extra to learn or teach in roomier planes... Cessna Centurion, Cherokee Six, Bonanza, or Rockwell Commander (which is spin approved for that element of the training). They just keep getting back into a 150, and complaining about it!
Then.... The student graduates from the "cramped" 150, and "moves up" to the Mooney! How was that for roomy?
Written by a proud 23 year C-150 owner, who is 6'3", 195 pounds. If I do feel a little cramped, and am flying when the depths of winter are behind me, I often fly with a door off (which I approved). The 150 is very roomy that way!
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But we have already established you have the only none smelly C150 in the world DAR 
Apparently the window can be fully opened with the removal of one small screw.
The 150/152 is what it is, one of a number of good, rugged trainers, which will keep you safe, teach you well, and make you appreciate the next larger plane you get to fly!
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Probably not your case, but I still want to mention it. I had severe shoulder/neck pain when flying a 172, especially on high flights or cold days. I began to pay attention to sit unstressed, but the pain got worse. Untill all of my passengers in the back complained about having it cold. An instructor told me that this is typical for 172's, the heating doesn't reach the back as should be.
Thus came the idea that my pain could result from the cold air on my back (blowing through the door seals on my shoulder). Fixed this, pain gone.
Otherwise, pay attention that you don't want to continuously raise yourself to see over the instrument panel, if you're too short. An instructor once told me to act as a potato bag. Continuously be aware of the stress in your body and work on it to take it away, just as playing an instrument. Best advice I ever had, that's why experts can make difficult things look easy.
Thus came the idea that my pain could result from the cold air on my back (blowing through the door seals on my shoulder). Fixed this, pain gone.
Otherwise, pay attention that you don't want to continuously raise yourself to see over the instrument panel, if you're too short. An instructor once told me to act as a potato bag. Continuously be aware of the stress in your body and work on it to take it away, just as playing an instrument. Best advice I ever had, that's why experts can make difficult things look easy.
