Which type of plane is best to learn in?

Question

I have heard from many experienced pilots that learning in a slightly more difficult plane to fly, (such a Beechcraft Sundowner) is better than learning in the extremely forgiving and "easy" to fly 172. I have been told that many casual pilots who learn in a 172 never really get past renting a 172 due to the additional time needed to check-out on more high performance low-wings, whereas someone who learns in something like the Sundowner transition easily to other low-wing aircraft or if they wanted to, a 172.

I will make my flight school decision based on what will make me a better pilot; (the schools in my area all use 172's except one "old-timer" with 40 years teaching experience..he uses Sundowners) All things being equal, will learning in the Sundowner make me a more adept pilot? Again; ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL..

With all due respect, no answers from people with only 2.5 hours of flight time in 172's:)

Answer 1

Initial training in a Sundowner or a C172 -- it really doesn’t matter which you choose.  Much of it is personal preference.  If you really want to be the ‘best possible’ pilot at 100 hours – start your training in a tail-wheel airplane.  They are tough to find, but they will instill the ‘correct’ landing techniques from the beginning.  Those ‘correct’ landing techniques learned in the tail-wheel airplanes translate directly to ‘nose-draggers’.  Then after solo, move to a C172 or a Sundowner for your cross country and finish your private certificate.

Back to your original question … you may be a slightly more adept pilot by learning in the Sundowner, but ONLY because you will likely have a few more hours than if you had started in the (a bit easier to fly) C172.  All things being equal, if you become ‘checked out’ in both airplanes, it will take about the same number of total hours no matter which one you start in.

Answer 2

if money doesnt matter, then id say start with on something with a turboprop. I think thats what embry riddle is about to start now too, since turboshaft time is what really matters, and all your training will be hours working for you. It will be a lot easier to switch to something smaller to fly as well.

Make sure you have the money and time to go this way though, as it will be harder at the beginning, but it will definately pay off later down the road.

If you are concerned just getting your license, then id say just stick with the 172, then as soon as you get it, start moving onto other aircraft for your other ratings, and try to fly different types of planes as much as possible.

Answer 3

More than cost you really need to consider time as a factor. If you are going to learn in a more complex aircraft then it will take more time to learn how to fly it compared to a Cessna. It will take you longer before you are able to solo and probably longer to get your license. The reason for this, is because besides just learning the basics of flying, in a complex airplane there is alot more to do in the cockpit (prop control, landing gear, cowl flaps, ram air possibly, extra emergency procedures). Also, because the plane flys faster it is much harder for student pilots to think ahead of the plane, especially during the landing phase. It will be more frustrating for you in the beginning. But as long as you know that and are patient then I think it will make you a better pilot in the end.

Everyone in aviation thinks that you have to have a tremendous amount of hours before you are experienced. I think that is BS. I have seen plenty of pilots with over 1000 hours do some really stupid things. If the military has pilots flying fighter jets with 300 hours then who is to say you can't fly a bonanza with 100. It really comes down to the quality of your training and the frequency of your training. The more often you train the faster you will pick it up and the faster you will become comfortable with it. It all you ever know is a complex airplane then it really won't be a big deal. A friend of mine learned to fly in a twin. It is all about what you are exposed to. If you are a cessna flyer then it will take some adjustments to learn the additional responsibilities in the cockpit but if you are taught them from the beginning then it will be like routine.

I started off learning in a 150 and now i have a Mooney. I found the transition to be very easy and switching back and forth is not a problem at all.

Hope that helps

Answer 4

Training is tedious and difficult to begin with. Why would you want to make it more difficult? When you are in pre-solo training there is plenty to learn even in a forgiving airplane like the 152/172's. When you solo, the next 10 hours are simply getting used to not having a mentor on board.

Stick with the basics and fly safe.

If you are training for a certain type rating, the there are other low wing trainers like the Piper Tomahawk to get the low wing feel down.

Answer 5

Which ever makes you feel happy and comfortable while floating in air is the one you start with ( just crossing the feeling barrier of "I am flying"! at least for a short while). Now comes the part "what makes you a better pilot" , IMHO , the one that makes you double check your pre-flight checks ,routes etc etc ,the one that makes you feel lesser of the two( you or the plane),humbles you while 1. on the ground , 2. on roll and take off , 3. in the air , 4 . makes you sweat while landing ... ( all of it not because it is dangerous or poor design plane)

Any way knowing to drive 16 wheeler is not going make you feel at ease while learning to drive say small hatchback if that is learning sequence you want to take.

Captain of 747 said it well. If all is not so well when on the ground , the sight in front of a tail dragger will always show you the sky and that is where you wanabee...  IMHO

Answer 6

Start with a 152/172 Cessna. Then fly a PA-28-x*x. Next go to a high performance single. Fly anything you can get your hands on. Experience is your best teacher. The Sundowner instructor has an aircraft he needs to pay for. Once you get some time then fly it too.

Answer 7

one that flys

Answer 8

Cessna 152. It's easy to fly and cheap to operate.

Answer 9

I have flown both 152's and 172 for learning. They are a great plane to learn in because they are so forgiving. That makes it easier to focus on the basics. You can never become a great pilot without having a solid foundation of the basics. So I recommend that you star in the 172, get the basic under your belt, then learn new aircraft from there. It overall will help enhance your skills and abilities to be confident and skilled in multiple aircraft. You should not base your decision on money though. Good training is priceless.

Answer 10

Start your training in an aircraft which is easily available in your area and in which you feel relaxed and comfortable while flying. The compatibility of the aircraft will help you in learning all the basics with ease and build up your confidence. Once you have learned the basics, the rest is an application of your knowledge acquired so far. At that stage, even if you shift aeroplanes (say from an easy to a tough craft) the transition will be smooth. A stage will be reached, very close to about 100 hours, when you will realise that all aircraft are the same and flying any of them makes no difference to you. The 172s are very popular trainers for very many reasons, but it does not necessarily mean they are the best. You are the sole judge and you must make your own decisions. Do not be carried away by what you hear or what people say.

Answer 11

Here's a humble opinion from a retired career pilot who did it this way.  If you can find a fabric-covered taildragger with less than 100 HP and minimum instrumentation, that is the way to go.  A J-3 cub or a Taylorcraft or an Aeronca.

I soloed in an Aeronca Chief, and didn't know until later how "hard to fly" it was considered by people who had flown only Cessnas, Cherokees, and the like.

A pilot who feels comfortable in a tail-wheel airplane is a safer pilot, no matter what the future brings.  And you really learn the feel of an airplane when you don't have an attitude gyro, directional gyro, and two nav-comms.

My instructor made me move on up to a Piper Cherokee for the private checkride, but I always flew the Chief when I could, because it felt like a real airplane.  This was 1964, and we had one of the first Cherokees on the market.  After flying the Chief, the Cherokee felt like an airliner.

See if you can find one, and go see how it feels.  Also, if you are going to move up to more advanced aircraft, you want to do some of your primary training in a low-wing airplane, rather than the Cessnas everybody is familiar with.

All but a few light twins are low-wing airplanes, and so are most heavy airplanes.  The low wing airplane will prevent you from learning certain bad habits like judging your height at the flare by looking down over the left main wheel, which many Cessna pilots do.  I love cessnas, but if I am going to give an instrument rating, I prefer a student whose experience is in low-wing airplanes.

But if you can possibly start in a Cub or an Aeronca, please take the opportunity.  You will understand what it means to "fly by the seat of your pants."

Answer 12

cessna light aircraft are good for beginners

Answer 13

it really doesn't matter. at the end of the day if you're really into planes you know deep down what you want to learn in so just go with that. i started out training in c152's/172's and PA28's. they're all nice but my preference would be the 172.