Cessna 150 or the Grob G115?

[Janu]

G'day fellas,

I will soon be commencing flying training for my PPL. The flying school which I have chosen operate two different types of ab initio aircraft in their fleet. These are the Grob G115 (x2) and the Cessna 150 (x2), both aircraft are charged at the same price per hour and the landing fees etc are also the same.

I quite like the Grob because of its conventional wing position, however, I've been reading on these forums here that the high wing on the Cessna aircraft types really helps a lot when learning NAV.

I want to choose the aircraft which is both enjoyable and fun to fly, but will give me great skills and a better flying experience for the future. I do intend to eventually go on to do my commercial licence and what not, too.

I'd like to hear your thoughts and experiences, both good and bad, for these two aircraft. And perhaps someone who has been fortunate enough to have flown both types could share their opinion on which aircraft they preferred to fly and why.

Any help and advice will be deeply appreciated.

Many thanks in advanced.

[ShyTorque]

I would want to learn to fly in a modern type. The Cessna 152, albeit a well tried aircraft, is the equivalent of learning to drive in a Mk3 Ford Cortina; i.e. it dates back to the 1970s.

Having said that, which aircraft will you be using once you have gained your PPL? In the early days as an inexperienced licence holder you will have a lot to think about and flying the type you are more familiar with can free up a few brain cells for other stuff.

[Contacttower]

If they are the same price go for the Grob, I have flown both and the Grob is much better. More powerful, faster; its a proper aeroplane with good handling and aerobatic capability. There's a reason the RAF use them as their basic trainers!

Yes nav is a little bit easier with a high wing, but you also lose visibility in the turns with a high wing which as a current C182 driver I can say I actually find quite annoying. I learnt on the low wing PA28 and I don't think it was a major disadvantage when learning nav, if you ever needed to see what was below the wing you could always just move it briefly.

[Pilot DAR]

its a proper aeroplane

Oh, I'd heard rumours that at 150 may not have been a "proper airplane" for the last 51 years they have been in service...

Janu,

Each type has it's merits, and detractions. Perhaps you should fly an hour in each, and choose for yourself. You've obvioulsy considered the differences, so you'll know what you're looking for. Once you're into your training, fly both. It is very advantageous to be versitile with your flying skills, and not be stuck on one aircraft type. You might spend a few additional training hours, but you'll come out a better pilot for it...

[dont overfil]

There's not enough info to make a performance judgement. The G115A is not aerobatic, does not have better performance than some C150s and has nowhere to store your flight bag.
It does look better.
DO.

[Squadgy]

Janu - check the intentions of the Flying School re the Grobs. I have heard a suggestion that they are due to be replaced by the Piper Sportscruiser in the not too distant future.

I have flown both (post PPL), and preferred the G115. Although it's not aerobatic it is more responsive IMHO, and also a bit more of a challenge, esp when landing.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Hmm, the choice of a 40 year old low performance spamcan, versus a fairly new medium performance military training aeroplane? At the same price.

Nope, no idea what choice you should make.

G

[DB6]

Which Grob 115? There are a few but all are better than a 150. If it's the A then I think they have yokes but most of the others have sticks, which are much better for everything except pretending you're still in a car .

[x933]

Grob 115, as long as it's a later model (With sticks). Got enough time in both to be able to make a decent judgement call between the two of them. Still trying to find one in the South of England to hire.

[Janu]

Both of the Grob G115's where I will be learning to fly have a yoke.

[A and C]

The Grob 115A is nothing like the Grob 115 that the RAF fly so that is no basis for a choosing it as a trainer.

I found it a bit like the PA38 except is did not spin as well.

[Janu]

Okay, so the aircraft are Grob G115A (yoke) versus Cessna 150, I've been looking on wikipedia and the Grob appears to have slightly better performance all-round compared to the C150. However, I want to choose the aircraft which will give me the better flying skills/knowledge for the future.

I like what Pilot DAR has said; I think an hour in each would be an excellent opportunity to see which aircraft I most prefer.

I would still like to hear what other people have to say about both aircraft and their experiences etc.

Thank you very much.

[Contacttower]

...Yeah I'm sorry for jumping in and making the assumption that you were talking about the later models...

Oh, I'd heard rumours that at 150 may not have been a "proper airplane" for the last 51 years they have been in service...

Forgive me for coming across as a bit of a snob in my first post, I do like the Cessna 150/152 and have had many lessons in them. I just believe that if one has the opportunity to learn in an aircraft with a larger flight envelope that should be taken advantage of. I would agree with what you said though...fly in both and see which you prefer.

[dont overfil]

If your club has C150 aerobats, particularly the L or M with the 130hp Rolls Royce continental they could open up a whole new world.
Sorry if I sound biased but I was so disappointed when I flew a G115A after learning on an "old" C152.
Definately fly both.
DO.

[Janu]

Thanks for the support gents. I will no doubt let you know which aircraft I choose to fly soon.

Take care.

[DB6]

Two other considerations; visibility and payload. The Grob has far better vis than the Cessna - you will feel like you're looking out of a letterbox in the Cessna after the Grob, and most C150s/152s can't actually take full fuel plus two real-world blokes, check if the Grob can.

[graciefields]

Funny you should be asking as I have just started training in a C152. I've just posted a question about the door popping open in flight. It's happened three times in a week now. I'm wondering if these aircraft might be a bit past it?
Wouldn't mind opinions myself.

[Retired Redcap]

I faced the same choice in 2007 (same flying school I guess).
I chose the Grob.
Reason- I was told that it was a more challenging aircraft and that learning to fly in it would improve my skills. Also it was argued that I would find converting to other types easier than if I trained in the 150.
Since then I have been checked out on the 150 and PA28.
For handling qualities I would choose the Grob every time.

[421]

I also did a few hours at the same school before money became a problem. I did an hour in both and came to the conclusion that I preferred the Grob.

Just remember that there is an additional £20 to add to the flying cost, £10 landing fee and £10 administration charge. I beleive T&G's are slightly less but still levy the admin fee.