Airnzsaab340 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 1628 times:
Hey guys.
The other day I got to do a flight in a 172. And my wonderful instructor let me do the whole flight. Anyways I have 4 hours in the tomahawk. I found the 172 to be magic. Take-off in the 172 is really interesting. You have to pull the control column back lots more than in the tomahawk. I found taxiing to be harder in the 172 but maybe it was because I wasnt used to the plane. I found the 172 also to handle much better and it was very stable. Now the landing in the 172 was amazing. I have only done very few landings in the tomahawk and they were shockers. But the 172 landed like a dream. It was very very easy. All In all I found the 172 the better aircraft. But I think the tomahawk is a better trainer because it takes that little bit extra work to land and fly. But the tomahawk was is easier to take-off.
I would be interested in hearing your point of view on these two aircraft. And trainers in general to determine there strenths and weaknesses.
Thanks so much for your replys.
Ryan Healey
New Zealand
Master Trijet From United States, joined Nov 2001, 41 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 1623 times:
The 172 basically lands itself. (not really) lol
I have most of my hours in the 172, I soloed a 172, I did my first solo Xcounry in a 172, dam it im sick of the 172 LOL! Yes its a dream to fly but I rather go with pipers (if they were cheaper) but as for now, im lookin at my checkride in a 172. Long Live the 172.
Dragogoalie From Australia, joined Oct 2001, 1220 posts, RR: 10 Reply 2, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1595 times:
Now you see why the 172 is arguably the most popular training aircraft. I've only flown the 152 from cessnas and I must say it doesn't handle like a dream, but it is a lot of fun to fly. If I'm just going up to screw around I'd rather take the 152, but if I'm actually going somewhere I'd rather take a piper and get the extra 20 kts cruise.
Radarbeam From Canada, joined Mar 2002, 1242 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 1576 times:
The 152 doesn't handle like a dream? I think it does, it basically flies itself, it's a great solid and very easy to fly aircraft, even easier than a 172, IMHO at least.
NormalSpeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 1557 times:
Yes, I also love the 172.
A very large chunk of my total time (270 hours) is in a 172N model, and I've found the new S model to be great. The only airplane that I seems to respond to my style of flying better is the Piper Arrow III. Now that airplane loves me!
PPGMD From United States, joined Sep 2001, 2453 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 1560 times:
The only problem IMO with the C152, is that it's scares some less commited students with it's very sharp stall break, but it also has an advantage, it comes out of spins a bit easier IMO.
Other than that they are all pretty honest aircraft.
Skyguy11 From United States, joined Oct 2001, 549 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days ago) and read 1538 times:
oh you mean the land - o - matic 172???
Yeah that is one killer plane! Seriously it is one fun airplane... so simple and yet can do so much... it really takes much of the business out of flying;;; what with being so stable and all. You can just sit back, relax, and e n j o y. Some flights are fun because you're flying challenging equipment... some flights are fun because your flying challenging conditions.... but a flight in a 172 on a nice day to a place you know is just plain FUN!!! ahhhh
Gerry From Australia, joined Jul 1999, 241 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days ago) and read 1546 times:
It is a change isn't it! Just remember though that some of the built in instability of a Tomahawk (have you started stalls yet?) is there to teach you good flying habits. Such as - rudder on take off, a vicious tendency to wing over in a stall and a seemingly very high landing speed that is actually quite slow but doesn't look it. Good habits because it teaches you to respect what can happen if you become complacent. The 172 may be easier to fly but the tomahawk will probably make you a better pilot. If you want real luxury see if you can get a ride in A Rockwell Commander 112 or better still a 114. Like flying your living room.
FSPilot747 From United States, joined Oct 1999, 3596 posts, RR: 15 Reply 10, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 1513 times:
I started on the 152's for a year or so, but for the past year and a half I've been flying the 172SP's. It's a great plane, but I am leaning towards doing my IFR in a piper. The low wings are far more stable than the High-winged 72's. Landing the plane was a breeze? That's new. I never had a problem landing it, it was the greasers that are tough in that plane. It balloons a lot...more than the 152 I've found. But in any case, best of luck in your training.
XFSUgimpLB41X From United States, joined Aug 2000, 3253 posts, RR: 24 Reply 11, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 1504 times:
I get alot more greaser's in Pipers.... but the 172 is extremely comfortable. It's just easy to sit in there, open the window and stick your elbow out.
I'm still partial to the C-150 Aerobat. Man i loved that plane.
FlightSimFreak From United States, joined Oct 2000, 720 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 1492 times:
You are moving from a little bit of time in Tomahawks, to more time in 172s... I have about 80 hours in the Tomahawk's sister, the Beech Skipper, and now I have about 2 hours in a 172... If you would like to ask me any questions about my transition, feel free to drop me a line at Alex@iluv2fly.com.
Airnzsaab340 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1499 times:
Gerry
Yes I have started stalls. Actually I just finished them and am onto circuits which I can't wait for. Stalls went well but I must get the hang of when I'm doing the advanced stalls to make sure I use more opposite rudder. Did you all enjoy circuit training or was it boring and tedious?
Thanks guys for your replys.
Ryan
Kay From France, joined Mar 2002, 1870 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1458 times:
circuit trainings is where you have to closely watch the rectangular pattern, the altitude and speed. and one thing my instructor taught me that made everything easier: do all your circuit turns except the first one (from departure leg to crosswind leg), at 30 degrees turn. that will make your turn more efficient, faster and will shape the rectangule better. you will be able to watch your altitude and speed better that way, especially when turning base or final, to correct any problems. and turning final at 30deg will show you a great sight of the land closely underneath you!
it will be difficult but as soon as you do all that, putting the flaps and the rest are quite easy. just maintain 800ft, and no more than 85knts when next to the runway numbers for the flaps...
and your flaring will be easier if you approach right too...
TWAMD-80 From United States, joined Oct 2001, 988 posts, RR: 4 Reply 15, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 1426 times:
I flew the C-172 all through my private pilot training and it is an awesome airplane! Also I have flow the C-152 and overall I think I like the 172 better. Partially because I'm 6'3", but also I just like how the 172 flies. It's a great trainer and I have absolutely no regrets flying it! Great job Cessna on a great airplane
TW
Three useless things in Aviation: 1-Runway behind you 2-Altitude above you 3-Air in the fuel tanks
Boeing nut From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 16, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 1366 times:
I remember a 152 while training at SIU Carbondale. I don't know why, and I unfortunately don't remember the N#, but this particular 152 just would not stall in slow flight manuvers. The rate of decent increased greatly, but the wing never did stall. It was funny, I actually had to push the nose over, gain some speed, then pull back firmly to finally get the thing to really stall. Very fun airplanes. My favorite one was 758YY. It was an aerobat and I learned my accelerated stall manuevers in that aircraft. The first two we intentionally completely stalled and went into the spin. Man, what a gas that was!!
Bruce From United States, joined May 1999, 4906 posts, RR: 17 Reply 17, posted (5 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1284 times:
They may be magic to fly, but a cessna 172 crashed yesterday in Denver colorado killing 5 people. It collided with another small plane over a residential neighborhood.
bruce
Bruce Leibowitz - Green Bay, WI (GRB/KGRB) - Canon 20D/100-400L IS lens
Flyf15 From United States, joined May 1999, 6101 posts, RR: 15 Reply 18, posted (5 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1285 times:
Bruce,
General Aviation accidents are probably more common than you believe. In 2002 with Cessna 172s alone, there were 181 incidents/crashes, resulting in 49 deaths.
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