Which plane to train in for PPL

L

loudmouth_9804

New Member
I have a choose between a Grumman Cheetah or Cessna 172m for my training. Which one will provide the greatest learning experience.

Both cost the same.
 
Well a grumman Cheetah is a cool name for a plane and would make you that much cooler than the next guy. "Yeah, i'm flyin a cheetah"..."ooo aaahhh"

Ok serious note. I don't know much about the grumman but i know just about everyone and their dog who rents airplanes rents a 172. Might as well start there. Some times the bandwagon is good.

Sticking with that argument, it might be kind of nice to fly something that not everyone and the dog again has flown. It "look" fairly comparable to a 172 but i really don't know. I'm sure someone else has more experience with the cheetah.

I say the 172
 
Cheetah hands down...Just beware that after you fly it (and than the Tiger) that you're never going to want to fly a 172, or Warrior again.

PM me if you have any questions...I learned to fly in Grumman's, and instruct at a Grumman inclusive flight school.
 
MikeOH58 said:
Cheetah hands down...Just beware that after you fly it (and than the Tiger) that you're never going to want to fly a 172, or Warrior again.

PM me if you have any questions...I learned to fly in Grumman's, and instruct at a Grumman inclusive flight school.
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See that's like starting your dating career out with Jennifer Love-Hewitt. If you break up with her you are never going to be able to find another jLove. Best to start out like the rest of us with the "average" girl ;)
 
IMHO, the instructor's ability to teach is the more important criterium. What are the rate comparisons between the two? All things being equal, pick the least expensive one then master it. Personally, I have close to 1000TT in a 172 and 0TT in a Cheetah. If you train in a 172 and travel somewhere else and want to rent, your odds of renting another 172 are pretty good. I've never seen a Cheetah for rent. Usually you need 25 hours in make and model to qualify. Food for thought.
 
Anything built by Grumman Ironworks.....Cheetah is in the long line of the Wildcat, the Hellcat, Bearcat, and the Tomcat.

:D
 
also, there are a lot (if there is a lot of anything right now) of entry level flying jobs in 172's, and they really dont care about cheetah time, however i would imagine it is a little more fun to fly later. yeah, depends on your goals...


flying for fun=cheetah
flying for ever= skyhizzawk
 
MikeD said:
And a fine airplane the Tweet is! Great bird! As well as it's beefier cousin, the Dragonfly.
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Now that the AF seems to be using the T-6s I've been trying to drum up support for our flight school to can the cessnas and replace them with older surplus T-37s since you can probably get them on the cheap. I don't think the Chief is buying it though :(
 
poser765 said:
Now that the AF seems to be using the T-6s I've been trying to drum up support for our flight school to can the cessnas and replace them with older surplus T-37s since you can probably get them on the cheap. I don't think the Chief is buying it though :(
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Sweet!
 

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NOGUFFCHET said:
also, there are a lot (if there is a lot of anything right now) of entry level flying jobs in 172's, and they really dont care about cheetah time, however i would imagine it is a little more fun to fly later. yeah, depends on your goals...


flying for fun=cheetah
flying for ever= skyhizzawk
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getting a private in the grumman is in no way going to effect getting a job in a 172 somewhere down the road..... if you've flown any piston single you can master a 172 in short time.
 
MikeD said:
Sweet!
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haha they're so cute!

I can see it now

Student "Regional approach Cessna 12345 level at 5000, vfr to Denton, student pilot"
App "Umm Cessna 12345 say type. Showing ground speed of 230 knots"
Student "Type Cessna T-37"
App "Sweet Jesus..."
 
The prices for both are the same, just at different flight schools. I've visited both schools and the booth seem to have a good operation.

The one that uses the Cheetah seems a little more structured in their course. They have a Cessna 172 but charge 30.00 more per hour to use it instead of the Cheetah. Don't know why their is such big price difference.
 
If the prices are the same, take the Cheetah! Not very many people have their first solo in a Grumman Cheetah, you'll be glad you did it. You'll very likely end up getting plenty of time in 172s anyway.
 
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