Simviation Forums

im lookin in to getting my Private Pilots Liscence and am curious to know what would be the better to start with the 150 or 172 the 150 is only 54an hour and the 172 is 76an hour. is spending the extra 22 bucks gonna be better? some advise would be helpful, thanks.

jackie

if your getting a 172 for under 80 an hour jump on the 172. Much better performance and a little more elbow room than those little 152s. try one then the other you will see the difference.

Yeah, I'd say go for the 172.  It's pretty much 6 of one and half a dozen of the other when you're just starting up.  But later on you'll enjoy the few extra knots of the 172.  

Unless you just want to build time... then the SLOW 150 will be just fine. haha

The 150s sort of make you work a little more to get what you want out of them, so in a way, they're better to start on. You'll more quickly understand the basics of control coordination, IMHO. I really like 150s and 152s... they have a nice "honest" feel about them. The only possible drawback in going from a 150 to a 172 is that you have to handle power a little differently on final, or you'll tend to land long. And of course, transitioning back to a 150, you must remember not to "chop and drop" on final, because the 150 will not float w/o power like the 172.  But it's not a big deal.
However: They're a lot smaller, so much so that big people don't really like them, and since they're a bit slower, especially in climb with you and a CFI aboard, you spend more time going to the practice area, which may not be the best use for your money. And for simulated IFR, and learning navigation in general, the 172 makes a much more stable "platform" than a 150.
But... the rental rate for a 150 is $22/hr. less for you, so...
No harm in trying both throughout your training. Talk to your CFI about it.Don't let him/her pooh-pooh the 150 just because it's a little cramped and slow; if you want to try it, press your point.  You might consider using the 172 for lessons where speed and comfort are important, and the 150 for some of your early solo work or for pattern practice. Take your stage checks and final checkride in the 172, and then you're good to go in both Cessnas, so when you rent as a licensed PP, you can save money with the 150 when going solo in the pattern or near the airport, or take the 172 for giving rides to friends (who can chip in on the cost) or for flying long x-cs.
Another argument in favor of trying both: Depending on the size of the school's fleet, being familiar with both models could make all the difference in whether or not you get to fly on a given day.

I'd say be prudent with you money. Whichever way you look at it, be it flying as a hobby, or training to fly professionally, it will be expensive. Train on the the 150 and you may save several hundred dollars, and thats a few more hours for you once you have a license. I had no problem in them and I'm rather taller than most...

thanks for the advise guys, ill def take all into consideration.

jackie

I love the 150 myself.  The 150 I fly is an old, simple, sparsely equipped aircraft and that's exactly why I like it: it makes me rely on my eyes, my feet and my butt to fly it.  They're sensitive to weight and balance and a bit tetchy in high winds, which helps make them an excellent trainer- right away you learn how to wear the paint off those rudder pedals and to always be vigilant and respectful during those periods of low power, low airspeed and low flight- like landings .

Other than that, they're a docile aircraft, uncomplicated- and there's something about that tiny cockpit that really makes you feel at home in the air rather than insulated behind a panel of instruments and cabin comforts.   But it goes without saying that you should fly whatever suits your interests the most!  I've flown the 172 and I quite like it as well, but  I do find that with the extra power comes a little extra bulk and heaviness in the controls that makes me miss my light 150.  Then again, I'm a small person with bony girl arms and I really have to stretch for those rudder pedals in the 172, so...

(Rottydaddy summed it up... if you're really tall, you may want to go for the 172.  The 150 can get a bit cramped in that respect )

is spending the extra 22 bucks gonna be better?

No. Go with the 152, as long as you're not big. The 152 is more fun to fly than the new 172's in my opinion (newer being basically any one built after 1970). If you take the average amount of time to get your lisence you will save well over a grand going with the 152. Ego is what drives most people to the 172, I guess they think a 160hp trainer makes them look cool?

Naww..

I like the 172.  Its kinda crowded (i complain a little bout that), but in comparison to the C150, well.. i never been in a 150, but i think i wouldnt want to go inside one of those unless im going alone.

Go with the 150.  No sense in paying extra for nothing that you can't get in the 150.   I have about 19 hours logged towards my private all in a 150.  I will be going for instrument, commercial, cfi, and mulit-engine later.  My instructor advised me to stay with the 150 as much as possible until i have to get the complex high performance ratings and multi-engine.  His reason is that flying is expense and 150 and the 172 with both make great pilots so why go with the more expense one.  Plus it will take longer in a 150 to make crosscountry trips so in turn you build more time for the same distance flown.   You can always fly a couple of hours in the 172 just to see how it handles.  

Go with the 150.  No sense in paying extra for nothing that you can't get in the 150.   I have about 19 hours logged towards my private all in a 150.  I will be going for instrument, commercial, cfi, and mulit-engine later.  My instructor advised me to stay with the 150 as much as possible until i have to get the complex high performance ratings and multi-engine.  His reason is that flying is expense and 150 and the 172 with both make great pilots so why go with the more expense one.  Plus it will take longer in a 150 to make crosscountry trips so in turn you build more time for the same distance flown.   You can always fly a couple of hours in the 172 just to see how it handles.  

My hat's off to you; if you can pass your instrument checkride in a 150, you'll be ready for anything!  ;D
 Still not knocking the 150, but I'm glad I've flown both- as I continue flying, I'll be using the 150 for pattern work and local trips, and the 172 for longer trips or giving rides to friends. that's one nice thing about the pricier 172- you can get one or two more pax in there to pitch in on the cost.

Well here is my 2 cents worth Jackie.

Take your lessons on the Cessna 150 and I know you will pick up more stick and rudder experience.

By that I mean the aeroplane is harder to land in a crosswind than the Cessna 172.

Like the Tiger Moth, the Piper Cub, the Fleet Canuck the Cessna 150 will give you your moneys worth of training during a crosswind.