Favourite Aircraft or Favourite Training Aircraft?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Best touring SEP: AA5b

Best value SEP: Rollason Condor or AA5a. First for local bimbling, second for trips.

Best jet: Hawk

Best flexwing: Raven wing, biggest engine I can get

Ideal flexwing: above with a modern trike on it!

Best 3-axis microlight: CTSW

Best value microlight: Thruster TST or X'Air - probably erring towards the second.

Best SEP to teach on: C152, but given a close run by the PA38 or AA5a

Best for aerobatics: Bulldog (which probably tells you, accurately, that I'm not exactly an aerobatic nut).

Best yet for bragging rights and learning opportunities: Mk.26

Best for delivering science: BAe-146-301, although colleagues claim a G-V will give it a good run for its money.

Best unrealised fantasy: SR71.


One I enjoy most overall: whatever I'm flying when you ask me the question. All flying is good, all aeroplanes are fun.

What I mean by "best" in each instance is a subject for bar conversation if you ever care to track me down in one.

G

[SheepPilot]

PA28 vs PA38

both have pro's and con's PA28 I find is more stable to fly and better for staling.
But the pa38 is just a great plane to fly. I can't choose a favourite!

[Maoraigh1]

Nobody's mentioned the Jodel DR1050. Cheap to buy, cheap to operate, decent cockpit view. Good control feel. Cruise at 110+kts. 4 hour+ endurance (if fitted with autopilot and rest-room in aft cabin). Only thing I don't like is the poor cabin heat/draughts.

[philchirl]

Ive recently become aviation mad and about to start my PPL. Have never flown any of the planes mentioned but im always fanatically checking out planes.

If i was lucky enough to by a plane i think i would go with a 206 stationair. its got the seats, load, range that i think i would want. I also think it looks cool in a utilatarian kinda way.

Cheers

[sharpend]

My favourite is the Folland Gnat. Sadly I was far too young (19) to really appreciate it. But today I love my Bulldog; pity it is expensive to run

[Genghis the Engineer]

both have pro's and con's PA28 I find is more stable to fly and better for stalling.
But the pa38 is just a great plane to fly. I can't choose a favourite!

Both reasons making the PA38 by far the better training aeroplane, as almost certainly "better" in your parlance means "less frightening".

The PA28 is a good tourer, but I wouldn't go back after discovering the joys of the AA5 (100+ hours in each, so have had a chance to make a reasonable comparison).

G

[ChickenHouse]

I have to admit, it is a question of daytime, moon, sentiment, maybe a bit of voodoo ... Ordinary weekdays, surprisingly I tend to the old C172 with 6-cyl RR. Little 145 horse swings you load VFR from A to B with relaxing 95 knots and very easy handling, it is cheap to fly and maintain, love the view down anyways ... But, on rush days I love to fly the TTx - jesus, what a scorcher , a couple of weeks ago a friend picked me up in northern Germany and in less than 3 hours we were overhead Morbihan