I agree with flyinkiwi.

That thing about cruising in a PA28 - if you're talking about an archer (-180) sure. It is designed for touring with extended wings, a bit more slippery and more powerful engine.

However if you are in a warrier (-140) with its candybar wing which are each about a foot shorter, handling wise you have to learn much more how to fly it, and it compares to be just as good a trainer as the cessnas. Lets not compare
apples and oranges.

However, it really doesn't matter (I learnt across 3 aircraft - Bolkow Junior, PA28 warrier and SA Bulldog.

PA38 accept no substitutes.

I agree with Flyingkiwi tho, quality instruction both on the ground and in the air is most important than which trainer you get first... although it probably should be steam gauges than glass.... that could be tricky later

- I would say since i am a big fan of the tommie, i flew the 150/152 aircraft after flight training was finished and i did feel i could get a bit lazy with these aircraft.

As a trusted flying mate (and ag pilot) says... "i like the tommie, it bites in the right places".

I learned in C152 and C172 and was able to convert to a PA28 in less than one hour.
Whether or not I could have gone the other way I don't know, as I can't go back and start over.

However, the reason I'm replying is I'd love to know where all these jobs are that are in C152/172's as written in the OP. All I see are unemployed CPL/ATPL holders.

BroomstickPilot - thanks for the advice re: CPL versus ATPL. I haven't done a lot of research on the merits of the two, but sounds like ATPL would be much better.

Rhino25782 - thanks for the info on AAA. did you enjoy your time there? I've been emailing Martin and have given him my dates, so hopefully this means he is booking my lessons in? Any other advice about going out there?

I enjoyed my flying training very much. I've written a longer review on PPRUNE here:

http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...san-diego.html

I don't think Martin is going to book your lessons in. When you arrive at the school, after doing all the paperwork, you will receive an account for the online booking system. If you're lucky, your assigned instructor will have booked some lessons for you already (I was lucky). I don't think there's a way to find out who your instructor is before getting to the school, so this is maybe a little hard to plan ahead. However, if you're on a tight schedule, Martin will understand this and pass that information on to the instructor, I should think. Might be worth stressing that to him in another email?