After 200-something hours I finally flew my first PA28 (yesterday). I put a little more than 4 hours on it.
First impressions after basically only flying Cessnas for the last 4 years:
The rest is pretty similar to the Cessnas. There is not much different. A nice aircraft to fly.
I fly a lot of different types and I agree that the differences don’t lie between manufacturers, but between models. Between Piper and Cessna there are fairly miserable models and very good ones. Even within models the same is true (for example, I love all the Arrows except the IV which is horrible.)
But for good light tourers, I would generally look away from both. The AA5B and the bigger faster Robins both knock their Piper and Cessna equivalents into cocked hats.
I fly the Warrior and 172 SP about equally on long cross countries each year. For me, the crucial factor is availability.
While neither of these types are immune to breakdown, the deciding factor is easy availability of spares and support. Breakdowns have been manageable, even if on one occasion I had to seek out a bicycle repair shop for suitable parts. In more remote locations (I’ve seen a few!) It’s comforting to know there’s not much you can’t fix yourself with some string and sealing wax.
Regarding the differences between the two, I love the Cessna’s big wrap around windscreen in the infinitely scenic US, while in Europe the Warrior’s low wing between me and the inevitable cold dark sea instills a (false) feeling of security. I love the Warrior’s huge baggage compartment in Europe where I seem to take tons of stuff and the low wing while refuellers sit idly by watching me wrench the hoses around on my own. In the US, where the refueling truck pulls up even before the propeller stops turning, I love watching them manhandle the stepladders while I head for the cafe.
Performance? Not a whisker between them, and I’m there to look out of the window and gaze in wonder at the spectacle of this planet we live on. 100kts is fine with me, and I have the photos to prove it. Admittedly this last week’s stonking headwinds and 70Kt all the way from Finland became a little tiresome…
Timothy wrote:
…and she’s back in the air…
Good on her! You go, girl !!
WRT C172 vs PA28: agree with @Aveling. I learned to fly on PA28s but have almost only flown Cessnas in the 20 or so intervening years. Prefer the view and the fact that I don’t have to clamber up on a wing to get into the airplane. There really isn’t much between them. The only thing I really don’t like about the PA28 is that it only has one door.
I don’t like the view in the C172, preferring the Pa28. Both flown for scenery viewing in Colorado/Utah area.
But the C172 is the aircraft I’ve continued to fly through the worst weather.
I enjoyed flying a C150 more than a 172.
( Part owner of a Jodel DR1050 wood-and-fabric tailwheel and a Bolkow Junior metal nosewheel aircraft.)
