RW Question-Train in 152 or 172?

[snglecoil]

I started my training in a 152. I'm 6'3" and I'm not going to lie. It was not very comfortable, but definitly do-able. I finally decided to move up in size to the 172 after one too many yolk/kneeboard conflicts. But I agree with everyone else, go with value...You'll fly more

[Peter Grey]

I'm obviously late to the party here, but I agree with everyone else. 150 over the 172 for primary training. Moving from a 150 to 172 is trivial (I very commonly trained the reverse and there was never an issue) when you want the extra room.

[flyingdrill]

I learned in PA-28s. I 'm not big at all (these days, around 170, but a lot less when I trained!), but the 152 cockpit is cramped- and I have flown them, of course. 172s tend to be better equipped, but perhaps that not so important in PPL training. I'm just wondering where you can rent so cheaply! Any aircraft I've seen at anywhere approaching those rates, I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.........

[Pieces]

Those rates are pretty in line with what I trained in. $100 an hour for a ~79 P28A. Worked great.

[Keith_Tyndall]

I'm doing some recurrency training in the Cherokee 140 at M17 with a different instructor. Great folks there. I decided to do this training in the Cherokee because I wanted to get familiar with the plane that I'll be using after I'm current again, but if I was doing my primary training at this point, I'd probably use the 150 because it's cheaper and just as good for training.

[stevekirks]

Went to visit the Bolivar (M17) Cessna 150 today during "lunch" and talked to the mechanic on site. He loves the 150--his eyes light up when he talks about it--and said that while cramped, it's the right plane to learn in from his perspective. Fun, light and forgiving. The organization that runs the FBO is a not-for-profit (!) which is why the rates are low.

I picked up the Gleim books while I was there and they threw in last year's instrument book since they are moving to Jeppesen for that. I'll work on taking the written test and booking what time I can, plus studying for the instrument rating along the way.

I've been putting this off because I had the idea stuck in my head that if I didn't have the money to do the whole thing (or afford to fly afterwards) then it seemed pointless. The mechanic pointed out "it's so much fun, why *wouldn't* you do it?"

Thanks everyone. I'll post on my blog more often now and promise I'll upload pics.

Steve
http://stevekirks.com

[stevekirks]

I'm doing some recurrency training in the Cherokee 140 at M17 with a different instructor. Great folks there. I decided to do this training in the Cherokee because I wanted to get familiar with the plane that I'll be using after I'm current again, but if I was doing my primary training at this point, I'd probably use the 150 because it's cheaper and just as good for training.

My discovery flight was in that Cherokee! I loved it, but since my dad's a Cessna guy, he's a little sad about the fact my first flight as a "pilot" was in a low wing aircraft. It was super docile and a breeze to fly. Almost greased the landing after doing it in the sim so much: sink to the runway, pull the flare, then...hold it....let it finish the descent on it's own. Simply a great aircraft. That Hershey bar wing is so forgiving...

Keith, my phone number is 417-894-4460 if you ever want to meet up for coffee or other beverage and swap stories.

Steve

[gavink42]

Just ask Rod Machado what his favorite plane is...
https://twitter.com/rodmachado_cfi/stat ... 5512593408
http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All- ... Learn-(12)
http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All- ... -Learn-(2)

- Gavin