cessna 172 or 152

A

anavalairman2

New Member
Curious to know if training in a cessna 152 would hinder my ability to pass the ppl checkride; does it matter what model I train in or are the examiners keen to the 172? Thank you very much to all pilots and pilot wanna-be's.
 
If you wanna impress the females fly the 1 filthy 2!! On a more serious note, the 52 is more cost effective (read cheaper) and a simple learning platform. "Upgrading" to a 72 only takes a few hours once you have your PPL.
 
I did all of my PPL training - including the checkride - in a 152. No problems.

Once you step up to 172s you'll appreciate what you had in the 152. :)
 
Go for the 152. Cheaper, and does the job just as well.
 
152 all the way...I did all my PPL training in it, including the checkride. Stepping up to a 172's not a big deal at all.
 
Wanted to add something to this.

I've only found a few reasons to fly a 172 over a 152, ever, and I prefer the flying characteristics of the 152 over the 172. I've got about 50 hours in both types, so please take my inexperience with a grain of salt.

Number one reason is you can carry more weight easily. Having a passenger or two is not usually a big deal in a 172. With the 152, you need to double check your w/b and make sure you're good. And only one passenger at that.

172 gives you more range.

Passengers new to GA tend to "freak out" less over a 172 than a 152 because of the size. This is subjective.

Finally - depending on how close the rental rates are, it may, occasionally, be cheaper to fly certain XC flights in a 172 vs. a 152. It depends a LOT on the wind, and the difference may be negligible, but in crunching the numbers pre-flight, I've seen a couple instances where the 172 would be cheaper due to the increased speed-over-time.

There are other aircraft in the same "trainer" environment that also fit the bill, and I can't really speak to the economics of flying them - I've only got .8 in a DA-20, after all. I'd like to get my hands on a Piper someday...
 
killbilly said:
Finally - depending on how close the rental rates are, it may, occasionally, be cheaper to fly certain XC flights in a 172 vs. a 152. It depends a LOT on the wind, and the difference may be negligible, but in crunching the numbers pre-flight, I've seen a couple instances where the 172 would be cheaper due to the increased speed-over-time.
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Longer, slower and cheaper flights over the same distance = more hours in logbook for less money!! It may cost less in terms of the journey but more towards any hour requirements you have to reach for whatever cert you are going for!!
 
unclenobby said:
Longer, slower and cheaper flights over the same distance = more hours in logbook for less money!! It may cost less in terms of the journey but more towards any hour requirements you have to reach for whatever cert you are going for!!
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Well, see, that's the thing...a lot depends on how close the rates are. If you're flying on a particular budget, then you have to weigh your costs against what you need. I agree that a longer, slower XC flight might be great for timebuilding, but sometimes your time is worth more than the airplane's. And factoring that in sometimes means that a little less money/time spent in the air to achieve the same end is worth it. It depends entirely on the pilot's needs, though.
 
killbilly said:
Well, see, that's the thing...a lot depends on how close the rates are. If you're flying on a particular budget, then you have to weigh your costs against what you need. I agree that a longer, slower XC flight might be great for timebuilding, but sometimes your time is worth more than the airplane's. And factoring that in sometimes means that a little less money/time spent in the air to achieve the same end is worth it. It depends entirely on the pilot's needs, though.
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True.
 
anavalairman2 said:
Curious to know if training in a cessna 152 would hinder my ability to pass the ppl checkride; does it matter what model I train in or are the examiners keen to the 172? Thank you very much to all pilots and pilot wanna-be's.
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No it all has to do with your comfort not the airplane. Some people just can't fit in a 152. I've never actually flown a 152 but I've sat in it, it was uncomfortable alone but it was worse with someone next to you. You save about 500 dollars over the course of a PPL if you chose a 152 vs 172. I think it was worth paying the extra plus you get a little more power.
 
I think the most popular PPL trainers are C-152/172, PA28-181 and DA-20...

I think it comes down to what you are doing. For solo flying, I think the C152 is great, because you can get away cheaper than a C172. If you are carrying more weight, you might have to step up to the C172. There really is no big difference between the two. I've flown all the planes mentioned above. I'm 6'3, so a C152 and DA20 was a pretty tight fit for me. The C152 I flew solo most of the time, so it wasn't too bad, but it was pretty cramped once I took someone with me.

But getting back to the original question. I'd go with the C152, especially if you are on a budget. The transition to the C172 will be a piece of cake.
 
I did all my ppl training in a 150 and then because of mx reasons I used a 172 for the checkride. The transition was very easy, the only thing that is different was the sight picture on the flair which you get used to after 5-7 landings.
 
killbilly said:
I did all of my PPL training - including the checkride - in a 152. No problems.

Once you step up to 172s you'll appreciate what you had in the 152. :)
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Yep, I remember thinking how big the 172 was after getting checked out after doing all my private in the 152. Now I look at the 152 and think how small it is. It was a little tight doing stage checks with the larger chief flight instructor. I really want to take up a 152 again
 
I've flown a 152, even taught a student in one. Thank god he was the last 152 student for me. I am 6' 3", and not exactly narrow bodied...
I thought the 152 was a very fun airplane to fly, reminds me of a flying go cart. I much prefer a Pa28 warrior over the 152 or 172 any day though. Hate the view in a high wing.
 
I am 6'5 and did my PPL and instrument in a c-152. I do most of my instructional hours in a C-150.
A cessna 150 will not hinder you in any imaginable form.
 
go with whatever is the cheapest, there is really no difference in flying 152's/172's, just "2" more seats and a little more power, that's it.
 
It can be done for cheap in a 150/152, but a 172 flies better IMO. Just look the airplane over preaty good before you go fly in it. If the airplane is in poor shape, don't get in it and fly. If you get told to go and preflight w/out instruction on how to do a proper preflight, DONT DO IT.

Why did you post this in the ATP forum?
 
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