172 vs. Warrior for private pilot training

[nosehair]

I like Pipers better, I dont like spring steel landing gear because it seems to bounce more as opposed to oleo struts.

Plus the wing struts are an extra support the pipers dont have, cutting down on wind resistance.
And low wings just look more like a plane should look.

It's true. Pipers land easier - that's precisely why you don't want to learn to fly in one. In my years and years of teaching and having students trained in Pipers come to check out in a Cessna and it is a much harder transition from Piper Warrior to Cessna 172. Not just for the landing gear, but also because the crosswind gets up under the high wing Cessna.

Learn in the Cessna, then change to the Piper.

 

[Steve]

Cessna's glide better than Piper's so you have an easier time with engine out procedures and forced landings. Stick with one airplane early on though to avoid confusion.

You may want to look that fact up in the POH's. You are incorrect.

 

[BoilerUP]

It's true. Pipers land easier - that's precisely why you don't want to learn to fly in one. In my years and years of teaching and having students trained in Pipers come to check out in a Cessna and it is a much harder transition from Piper Warrior to Cessna 172. Not just for the landing gear, but also because the crosswind gets up under the high wing Cessna.

Learn in the Cessna, then change to the Piper.

As somebody who did all my formal training in Piper products and has hundreds of hours dual given in Cessnas, I wholeheartedly agree. The Cherokee is a great stable airplane (very forgiving) but it can make a new pilot lazy with basic piloting skills. I did always think the stabilator excuse for PA28 pilots transitioning to Cessnas and vice versa was bogus, though...

The best nosewheel airplane for training IMO is the Cessna 150/152. You learn to manage power & airspeed, learn how to land in a crosswind, and most importantly learn how to use the damn rudder!

 

[BoilerUP]

You may want to look that fact up in the POH's. You are incorrect.

IIRC, the 172R has a higher aspect ratio than the PA28-161. Regardless, I could care less what the POH says - a Cessna 172 *will* glide better than any Cherokee, even one with the tapered Warrior wing. I've seen it with my own two eyes. I've even caught a thermal in a 150 and climbed 1500ft with it, and you won't ever do that in any PA28...

 

[Eagle-ista]

The difference a student pilot will notice is that you don't use carb heat as often in a Cherokee.

Come on guys! He was asking if he should transition to a new plane because of scheduling issues, not which plane glides farther...

If you can get in the Cherokee, and price is not a factor, I'd take the Warrior. There are some that say the Cessna is the best aircraft for training. I think it's a wash. It won't do you any good at all if your interval between lessons is increased waiting for it.

If you can have the Warrior without scheduling issues, transition and get moving. I'd wait until after you solo, but that's just my opinion.

 

[jdlilfan]

In fact you may find that the Arrow won't float near as much on landings.

They dont really float, they sink like a rock. Pulling the power on a 180 Accuracy landing results in sink rates to the like of a learjet. Thats just my experience with it.

 

[2Inverted]

If you can get in the Cherokee, and price is not a factor, I'd take the Warrior. It won't do you any good at all if your interval between lessons is increased waiting for it.

If you can have the Warrior without scheduling issues, transition and get moving. I'd wait until after you solo, but that's just my opinion.

Eagle-ista hit it on the nose, and you'll like the Warrior. Once you get your ticket, get checked out in everything you can and make up your own mind as to which you like better.

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Thanks for all the responses! I'll stick with the 172 and hopefully solo in it Saturday.....weather accomodating that is.

 

[Black Hawk]

IIRC, the 172R has a higher aspect ratio than the PA28-161. Regardless, I could care less what the POH says - a Cessna 172 *will* glide better than any Cherokee, even one with the tapered Warrior wing. I've seen it with my own two eyes. I've even caught a thermal in a 150 and climbed 1500ft with it, and you won't ever do that in any PA28...

Good points. Although the manuals do claim similar glide ratios for similar airplanes (I looked up a C172RG and Arrow IV because I had them handy) I wouldn't count on that in practice. In a real life engine out situation I'll take a Cessna product over a comparable Piper product any day regardless of any claims their manual might make.

 

[CX880]

DieselDragRacers, good luck on you first solo and make sure to bring friends or family to share the experience. Just remember that the plane will want to fly faster so things will happen more quickly and you need more rudder without the person next to you, just tips from my experience at solo. As far as your question, take the C172. Both are good planes but the 172 is very easy plane to fly, although I hear the arrows are easier to land. Plus the 172 has 2 doors while the arrow only has one, could get real ugly if your forced to make a emergency landing and your trapped in the plane because the only door you have can't be opened or is obstructed by dead CFI or Pax. Have fun!