Cessna 172 vs 152

Chrispee

Chrispee

New Member
Hi Guys! I'm starting PPL training in September, and I'm trying to figure out if i should do it all in a 172, or save a little bit of money and do some of it in a 152. (It's through a college, so I have to do some of my training in a 172, but can save a few $ by using a 152 for part of the time.)
Hopefully I'll find a not too tubby CFI and sandwiching in the 152 won't be too bad, but can you guys give me the pros and cons from either situation?
 
I teach at a college that operates both types of aircraft. For private pilot training, I don't see much advantage to a 172 over a 152. Both aircraft fly about the same. The 172 is slightly bigger, slightly faster, slightly heavier on the controls, and slightly more stable. However, the things that really matter, like learning how to land, how to do a steep turn, how to do slow flight, etc., are going to be the same in both aircraft.

The biggest difference, as I'm sure you know, is comfort. If you think you'll be more significantly more comfortable in a 172, and therefore able to learn faster, it might be worth it. How much is the comfort (or lack thereof) worth in each plane? Is it worth the price difference? Only you can decide.

Operationally though, the aircraft are the same. You won't be any better or worse of a pilot after learning in a 152 versus a 172.
 
I whole heartily agree with jrh...

Choose the plane you will feel comfortable in, and not worry about the price. In fact, if you choose the 152 and are always squishing in and can't move around properly, it might actually cost more in the end because you won't learn as fast.

But if you fit well in the 152 and enjoy flying it, go for it. I personally like 152s (not more than our 172SPs though
grin.gif
) because you can put them down anywhere and are a blast to fly.
 
Do it in whatever plane feels the best for you.

The cost savings between a 152 and a 172 aren't that much. Besides, after you get your ticket and you go on to do things that you need to do for further ratings, you can always change airplanes.
 
When I first started training, the flight school wanted me starting in a 152, they said that once a I got comfortable with the 152, I'd have no problem flying the 172 they had. Well in a way they were right, I mastered the basics in the 172 and had had little problem moving up in aircraft size after that. Its like getting different ratings after your private. Get used to flying with your pvt, and get totally comfortable with your skill, so when your ready for your instrument, you'll be all the more ready and confident.
 
I'm 5'10"/160 and own a 152. Other than getting in and out, I'm not bothered by it's size. I have a student who is 6'3"/190 and I think it becomes uncomfortable for him after an hour or so. I think it really boils down to how big you are and the cost/benefit of renting a 172. Myself, I did all my training in 152's though 172's were available.
 
152 is the best training airplane of all time in my opinion. I can run faster than the speed that thing will stall at. I think the 172 is a little more forgiving, so if you are comfy, take the 152....its such a great airplane.
 
[ QUOTE ]
152 is the best training airplane of all time in my opinion. I can run faster than the speed that thing will stall at. I think the 172 is a little more forgiving, so if you are comfy, take the 152....its such a great airplane.

[/ QUOTE ]

Damn near stood a 152 on it's tail with a student Friday and it just would not stall!
 
I flew 8.8 hours in the 172sp. and I loved it it had GPS it smelled brand new i was powerful with 180HP. however it feels a little heavy during flare and you have to use trim often. I towuld have cost me around 9-12K just get my PPL in a 172sp. I suggest find a good FBO that maintains their aircraft well and just learn in a 152 first.
 
My $0.02 would be to use the 152 if possible. I am rather short and stubby (5'8'' - 200) and was comfortable in the 152 with my instructor, who was relatively small (compared to me). I just had my opinion refreshed today: I had been flying 172s ever since after my PPL checkride, but thought today would be a fun day to take a 152 out for a ride around the pattern solo. Darned if it didn't feel like a paper airplane as I was lifting off. I had forgotten how the lighter control feel felt and it took a couple minutes of tooling around the practice area to get used to it again. I think the 152 gives you a better feel for the air and a bit more finnesse on the controls. The downside is that since the controls can be quite light, you may not learn to use the trim entirely properly. I know that was my biggie when first going into the 172. This is merely my opinion, and everyone has given such great advice so far, so take it for what it's worth. Good luck with your PPL training!

Edit: I forgot to mention how weird a feeling it is to be going backward (negative gorundspeed) in a 152 while practicing slow flight with speedy winds aloft! Just never tell a potential passenger that you once went backward in a plane because they will think you are some backwoods barnstormer and then you have to try to explain the airspeed vs. groundspeed relationship!
 
thanks for the advice guys! i think i'll save a little dough and take some of the training in a 152. maybe i can justify buying a nice headset now!
laugh.gif
 
Don't buy a good headset, buy a GREAT headset.

A $600 headset is a lot cheaper than what it's going to cost for an audiologist down the road.
 
[ QUOTE ]
thanks for the advice guys! i think i'll save a little dough and take some of the training in a 152. maybe i can justify buying a nice headset now!
laugh.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I really suggest the Lightpeed 30-G or the Bose....nothing comes close to those, even if they are a little pricey. Take it from me, it's worth it.
 
I actually thought that the 172 was better for training. All the pilots that I have seen who upgraded from a C-152 to the C-172 struggle a little bit. They say, "Wow this C-172 is heavy"
grin.gif
and seriously they always use full power whether climbing or cruising and never trim the airplane because in the C-152 they didn't have to.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
thanks for the advice guys! i think i'll save a little dough and take some of the training in a 152. maybe i can justify buying a nice headset now!
laugh.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I really suggest the Lightpeed 30-G or the Bose....nothing comes close to those, even if they are a little pricey. Take it from me, it's worth it.

[/ QUOTE ]
Love my Lightspeeds (20XL).
grin.gif
 
I have to recommend the lightspeed headsets as well. I have been using the Lightspeed Thirty-3G for a couple months and it is really awesome. Very comfortable, great ANR, and have never had a problem with it!
 
I like David-Clark. Their customer service is phenomonal and their headsets top notch. I have had the same H10-13.4 since I started my training with no problems.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Their customer service is phenomonal and their headsets top notch.

[/ QUOTE ]

No better than anyone else!
 
Damn. Didn't we have this EXACT SAME arguement about a month ago. Lightspeed has good customer service, DC has good customer service. It comes down to personal choice and what fits you. Some people are DC haters, some people are Lightspeed haters. Personally, I use DCs, but if Lightspeed is what works, go for it. I just happen to have a head shape that doesn't get crushed like a vise in a DC.

Why is that whenever someone says "DC has great customer service" someone has to pipe up and say "no better than everyone else?" DC has built their company on customer service, and other headset companies have had to match it. It's like saying SWA has no better customer service than jetBlue or Boeing is no better than Airbus. Personally, I've never had experience with both DC and Lightspeed (or Telex, etc). I've had experiences with DC and that's it. So, I can say they have good service. Unless you have experiences with all the other manufacturers, I don't really see how you can say that all headset companies have the same customer service standards. Nowhere was it said that "DC is the best!" or "No one beats their customer service!" It was said their customer service is "top notch" (which doesn't exactly mean the only good one or best) and they make quality headsets. In my experience, that's true.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top