Simviation Forums

I'll be going to a flight school in october and although I wont actually be flying untill next year I thought I would ask for a little advice from experinced pilots.

The school has Piper Warrior 3s and Cessna SkyHawks as trainers. I kind of like the Pipers but I've heard that the best beginner plane is the Cessna because the high wing offers more visibility. I can most likely work on both but I'm asking more about the first lesons.

So basically, what would you suggest?

Whichever you choose, stay with it exclusively until you're well into flying solo confidently. They're both easy planes to fly and learn on, BUT are quite different.. Especially during roundout, flare and negotiating crosswinds during the entire landing sequence. Not to mention the difference in cockpit layout.

Flying just for the sake of flying, I prefer low-wing planes. Everything else favors the Cessna (visibility, comfort, ease of entry and exit (I'm 6'3").

I suppose.. if you really had to pick one based soley on which is easier to fly/learn with.. It'd probably be the Cessna, but that's personal. Some say it's easier to make the transition from Piper to Cessna as opposed to Cessna to Piper, if that's any concern.

I do know that if I'm gonna be in the cockpit for several hours, I'd much rather it be a Cessna.

Hope you're not confused now  ???

I have over 30 hours in a 172... wouldn't trade it for anything (except maybe a 767.. which I'd put in my back yard ).  It's extremely stable, easy to learn in, and you'll be thankful you have those high wings when you start doing your VFR cross-countries, trust me

Thanks. Basically I'm back to my origional conclusion, low wing equals style points but high wing equals easyer learning process. But like I said, first its a few months of ground school.

Thanks for the advice.  :)

Couple things that haven't been mentioned:  

The Warrior is easier to fly in the traffic pattern -  in the Cessna, the wing blocks your view of the runway when turning base or final.

Also, if you fly when it's hot out, the Skyhawk has much better ventilation than the Warrior does.  

The Warrior is easier to fly in the traffic pattern -  in the Cessna, the wing blocks your view of the runway when turning base or final.

Yeah, but the warrior often blocks your view of the runway on downwind.  It's a two way street, I'd much rather have the skyhawk in the pattern-you just use the HSI or visually pick a point when you turn in the pattern.

I personally found the warrior to be a great plane to fly. Very stable easy to fly and more room than a cessna apparently. The saying goes. "get your license in a cessna, learn to fly in something else".

The point about ventalation sounds good because I'm going to school in georgia and its going to be hot during the summer.

Couple things that haven't been mentioned:  

The Warrior is easier to fly in the traffic pattern -  in the Cessna, the wing blocks your view of the runway when turning base or final.

Also, if you fly when it's hot out, the Skyhawk has much better ventilation than the Warrior does.  

High-wings also offer more shade...

I started in Cessnas, but it doesn't really matter. The Warrior is certainly a decent beginner's plane. And, either on the way to your checkride or after, you can always get some time in the other type of plane.

And, either on the way to your checkride or after, you can always get some time in the other type of plane.

True enough and that's what's neatest about flying. There's always something new and different.. But I stand by my advice: Until you're soloing confidently.. stay in one type only. There's too much that you need to do on reflex, without needing to stoping, think, look around. The difference in round-out/flare technique comes to mind.. tank-switching too.

Good point. I started in 150s and soloed and got my PP in 172s; not so different that it made things confusing.
But if you can't make up your mind, try both during the first couple of dual flights, before you get too used to one.
And again, neither one is "better" to learn in, although you may want to base part of your decision on which type you see yourself renting or buying later, after you get your ticket. Warrior rental rates are usually a little higher than for Skyhawks...
The cost  also makes a difference during your training, of course.

I'd choose the Warrior, especially if it's a newer 172. I've never cared much for the way '70s and later 172s fly, I love the Warrior though.

Ditto, Citationpilot. For the sake of just being a pilot, Pipers are more "fun".

I've only had the chance to fly one, pre-70 Skyhawk. There is a difference. Best way I can word it is, "Except at level cruise (where it really doesn't matter), newer Skyhawks have a hint of hang-glider feel to them". If that makes sense.

On this whole note of choosing a training aircraft ? I can't believe this hasn't been mentioned. If you have access to one.. TRAIN IN A TOMAHAWK ! If you can land a Tomahawk in a stiff cross-wind.... you can fly any small plane.

I forget which specific warriors they have. The school is kind of not good about telling you what the planes are on their website. I went and sat in the cockpit and I remember reading the model number but I dont remember anything except that its a Warrior3.

I love warriors.  I had flown cessnas for my first 100 hours, and Warrior III's the last 100 hours.  I prefer the Warriors hands down.  I think they're much more comfortable, and easier to get in/out of.  And extremely stable.  The landings are trickier to get used to though, I will say that.  Other than that, it's an absolute dream to fly.

It's probably a PA-28-161.   I've flown the 180 HP Archer before, and you can DEFINATLY notice the extra 20 HP.