High to Low wing

[AA]

What are the differences in flying high and low wing aircraft? I got my PPL in a C-172, but moved to start college immediately afterwards. Now I live in a town where only Pipers are flown (hard to believe!). I was just wondering about the differences, which ones are more fun to fly, etc. I am scheduled to start flying the Pipers and am just curious before I go to get rated in them. Thanks a lot guys.

[UAL747400]

I like low wings better. I dont know why. I guess a low wing makes me feel like I'm in something a little more significant than a slow lumbering bug smasher.

As far as the way they feel on the controls. I've heard a cessna's like a bmw and a cherokee is like a dump truck. I think thats because cherokee's have an anti servo tab on the stabilator and cessnas dont.

Tom

[UAL747400]

Also, I dont know how cessnas are on landing, but on a cherokee it seems like you can salvage just about any landing no matter how screwed up you are.

[I_Money]

If you just fly the airplane they are all the same - if you try and fly it like a Cessna you will make it more difficult on yourself.

[TallBoy85]

Don't know who ever called a 172 a BMW...I'd agree that a Cessna Conquest would be like a VW Passat but that's the only german analogy I'd make of a Cessna...

I would go days at a time where I'd have back to back flights with Cessnas and Pipers (both Archers and Arrows). The biggest differences you will find Cessna to Piper are going to be basic fuel system operation (switching tanks and pumping fuel). The flight chacteristics are pretty basic. Even the CRJ has certain similarities to the 172 and the PA28. Bottom line with the Cherokee series that I've found is that your pitch control is much more authoritative at slow airspeeds for as mushy as it may feel...remember you're moving the ENTIRE control surface. The roll rate on a -X01 series wing is pretty decent, and the airplane LOVES rudder, especially the ones with hershey bar wings. Most of my students in the Archer/Arrow weren't allowed to use ailerons, while the Cessna loved a judicious amount sometimes. The tendencies of adverse yaw are a bit more pronounced in the Cherokee, primarily because the wing is a bit cleaner.

The negative things...Cherokees tended to be a bit heavier so they may lag behind the power curve compared to a 172. The power on stall characteristics are great if you don't like to really get a clean broken stall, and the landing gear is a bit less forgiving than the 1X2 Cessna Series. You will find though that your ability to make consistently decent landings in a Cherokee are better. You'll also at least a dozen times forget to change tanks and you'll land wishing you had aileron trim. Make sure that pump is on though ANY time you're below 1000agl. It could be a life saver.

Other than that, since flying the CRJ, the CRJ sim, and 10 other light aircraft I'm convinced that airplanes are sight picture sight picture sight picture so just keep your eyes outside and you'll be set. Bottom line with a Cherokee...point the nose where you want it to go, fly smooth and you'll be set.

Happy trails!

[gomntwins]

Cessna's float a lot more when landing. Cherokee's tend to make nicer/easier landings in my opinion... and if you ever struggled with a short field in a Cessna, you'll most likely be able to correct your problems in a Piper. In a Piper you pull the power back and the thing tends to drop like a rock... especially with an instructor with. The sight picture on landing is a little different... you'll probably be flaring the Piper a little too high and also a little too much. In the air a Cessna handles a lot better in my opinion... and it's nice being able to see down (it's a lot easier looking for VFR checkpoints). Really though, if you can fly one you can fly the other... it'll take a bit getting used to the landings, maybe a couple hours... but you'll be safe landing it after an hour or so. Good luck!

[AA]

Thanks for the input guys, I am looking foward to transitioning.

[Windchill]

AA. if you haven't already, run a search, I asked the same question not too long ago.

The FBO I trained for my private only had 172s and I wanted to broaden my horizons by getting checked out in a low-wing.

Just over a week ago I finally got checked out in a Piper Cherokee 140. A 1975 Cherokee Cruiser.

I've flown the Cherokee three times including the checkout.

Here's what limited experience info I can offer:

- The flaps are lowered and raised by a lever on the floor next to me like an emergency brake which seems kind of archaeic
- The airspeed indicator has both MPH and KTS which makes it look real busy and somewhat confusing.
- Fuel system does require activating pumps and switching tanks
- It doesn't seem to want to float like a balloon as the 172 may
- It does seem a bit easier to salvage landings and consistently make better ones
- When I did takeoff with the instructor, the Cherokee climbed slowly

I actually tend to come in with a little more speed and then kick in the 40deg of flaps, offering a little more control.

[AA]

Thanks Windchill, helps a lot! How do you like the Piper?

[Windchill]

I enjoy it, it's like a fun new toy . . . I haven't truly experienced her yet by going on a trip of substanital distance.

I like being able to see out/up more . . . but at the same token I've always enjoyed seeing the landscape which is hindered more by the low-wing.

Overall it's a fun plane, and I seem to land it better which makes me feel good.