ppl help, which plane is best to fly in
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: west sussex
ppl help, which plane is best to fly in
hi i am new to the forum, i just wanted to know from those that have been there and done it, what plane is better to start flying in c152 or piper PA28 and why, what difference does the high and low wing setup give? also if any have ever learned to fly at ether Shoreham airport in west sussex or biggin hill in surrey what was your experience, thanks guys 
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: Twickenham, home of rugby
what plane is better to start flying in c152 or piper PA28
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...rior-pa28.html
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...aft-learn.html
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...rrior-iii.html
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...-training.html
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...ior-152-a.html
SD
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 24
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From: London, UK
Yes,of coirse you get to choose your instructor. Go for trial lessons at each of your local clubs, and if you like the club but don't get on with the instructor, have the stones to say so (politely, of course!). Ask for a different instructor. You are paying, after all 
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Somewhere
I am now undergoing my training for PPL-A in Norway. I started flying on the Cessna 172SP (LN-AGM), but earlier this year i changed to the PA28-181 (LN-NPO).
If I must choose between a 2004 dated C172SP and a 1980 PA28-181, I take the Piper. The handling characteristics are much better in the Piper than the Cessna. The noise level are still bad in both planes, so as the comfort.
Hope it helped!
But the final choiche of wath's best, is always personal.
If I must choose between a 2004 dated C172SP and a 1980 PA28-181, I take the Piper. The handling characteristics are much better in the Piper than the Cessna. The noise level are still bad in both planes, so as the comfort.
Hope it helped!
But the final choiche of wath's best, is always personal.
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Los Angeles, USA
You can read all those threads, listen to all the opinions and it will still be total waste of time. There is no answer to be had. It comes down to what what's available and what you can afford and what you like.
I'm high wing and will always be. I can't deal with low wings. But that's just me and the beauty is - I can choose.
I'm high wing and will always be. I can't deal with low wings. But that's just me and the beauty is - I can choose.
Joined: Jan 2008
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 18
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From: Boston, MA USA
Not much difference
I learned to fly in Piper Cherokees and Warriors (PA-28-140, PA-28-151). I went on to do commercial work in Piper Arrows (the retractable PA-28R) but managed to get some time in C-172s and the US military counterpart, the T-41A. I now own an Arrow so I guess you would call me a "Piper man".
I don't really think it makes much difference. I would consider cost, availability, and (if I planned to buy a plane) what sort of plane I might want to buy. Here in the states, C-172s are much more common and the cost is often a little lower. There are lots of discussions about landing in crosswinds being a little harder in high wing and about ground effect making landing a warrior well a little more difficult but in reality, the differences are not very significant. I do like the visibility when turning that low wings offer but a counter argument can be made about being able to see the ground better in the high wing (good for scenic flights with the family and friends). Some find climbing up on the wing to get in to be an issue while some find needing a ladder (otr having to climb on the strut) to check the fuel in high wings to be more of a problem. For every argument, there seems to be a counter argument.
If your school has several of one model and only one of the other, I'd stay away from the solitary plane. You wouldn't want your education (or worse yet, a checkride) be postponed while the only plane of your model is getting maintenance.
Having said that it doesn't matter very much, I would suggest staying in one model during training. There is plenty to remember as a student without having to adjust to slightly different speeds, power settings, and sight pictures.
So pick one and start to fly. In the end, that's what really matters. Have fun!
I don't really think it makes much difference. I would consider cost, availability, and (if I planned to buy a plane) what sort of plane I might want to buy. Here in the states, C-172s are much more common and the cost is often a little lower. There are lots of discussions about landing in crosswinds being a little harder in high wing and about ground effect making landing a warrior well a little more difficult but in reality, the differences are not very significant. I do like the visibility when turning that low wings offer but a counter argument can be made about being able to see the ground better in the high wing (good for scenic flights with the family and friends). Some find climbing up on the wing to get in to be an issue while some find needing a ladder (otr having to climb on the strut) to check the fuel in high wings to be more of a problem. For every argument, there seems to be a counter argument.
If your school has several of one model and only one of the other, I'd stay away from the solitary plane. You wouldn't want your education (or worse yet, a checkride) be postponed while the only plane of your model is getting maintenance.
Having said that it doesn't matter very much, I would suggest staying in one model during training. There is plenty to remember as a student without having to adjust to slightly different speeds, power settings, and sight pictures.
So pick one and start to fly. In the end, that's what really matters. Have fun!
