FIRST FLIGHT!

[Boss_BlueAngels]

With regard to rudder pedals in actual aircraft, I've found that newer (ie. 32.2 hours on tach. ) 182's and 172's have extremely smooth and easy to move pedals.  Even comparable to the CHProducts pedals.  

[Jayhawk Jake]

I don't know, I almost suspect the instructor had is feet on them, but he DID tell me to steer to taxi, so....

Either way, it was different.

[Brett_Henderson]

With regard to rudder pedals in actual aircraft, I've found that newer (ie. 32.2 hours on tach. ) 182's and 172's have extremely smooth and easy to move pedals.  Even comparable to the CHProducts pedals.

New-ness makes a huge difference. A lot of it has to do with the hardware (cables, pulleys, pivots rocker-arms, springs, etc.). If a plane that you're used to flying comes out of an annual inspection that required replacing most of the hardware.. it'll feel like power-steering was installed.. especially the rudder-pedals, and especially while taxiing.

Between worn hardware and streched "springs" (I'm pretty sure the the rudder/nose-wheel linkage is rubber, in a 172), you can find yourself using mostly differential braking to steer on the ground... And conversely; if you hop into a plane with "newer" hardware, it takes a while to stop using TOO much rudder in flight and while landing.

[Aerophile]

I HAD MY FIRST FLIGHT TODAY!  IT WAS AMAZING!!!!

With the high winds, got to see both tailwind and headwind.  And one way he showed it was by maneuvering the plane, told me to look at the ground.  We were going sideways.  He moved it some more, we were going backwards.  One last time we were hovering, and on the GPS it said our GS was 3KTs!!!!

Congrats!  It's not that hard to get a 172 to go backwards given stout winds.  I once did that and asked approach for a groundspeed check even though I did have GPS just to see what kind of a rise I could get out of them.  ;D

[Cobra]

With regard to rudder pedals in actual aircraft, I've found that newer (ie. 32.2 hours on tach. ) 182's and 172's have extremely smooth and easy to move pedals.  Even comparable to the CHProducts pedals.  

I normally fly PA28's, but went up in a 182 last week (very powerful compared to my PA28, lots of fun  :D )  and i hated the rudder pedals!! They were soooo sensitive, i was like doing S's down the taxiway! So i think old and stiffer is nicer!!

[evanatorx]

I envy you...