Comments on: Readers Poll – Are you a faithful pilot ?

By: PlasticPilot

PlasticPilot — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:21:02 +0000

Thank you all for taking the time to answer. This poll and the pervious one about IFR rating proven very useful to launch interesting discussions, and there will be more in the future. If you have some questions to suggest, feel free.

@Tartofraiz: you’re right, flying different families requires more time yearly to remain proficient. But this is where flying within a family also helps… Someone being proficient in an Arrow (PA28R-201) is probably proficient in an Archer as well (PA28-181), but not with a Cessna 182.

@Michael: I like your idea of a plane “fitting” on you

@Julien: we have to organize something, meeting in France (or Switzerland) to get Robin rated. But for the aerobatics, you’re on your own, I don’t appreciate unusual attitudes…

@Chris: see the answer to Michael… each plane / pilot combination is unique.

@Pat: great that you recognize that you’re safer flying one type only.

@Todd: I promise I’ll say nothing to the C. family.

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:51:12 +0000

I have been mostly faithful to the Cessna family. Though, I cheated a few times with a diamond aircraft. I think it is fun to try out a variety of aircraft but I like the comfort and sense of familiarity I have with flying a single family of planes.

By: pat

pat — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:28:07 +0000

I’m faithfull to the airplanes I fly.
Mainly because I can’t afford to fly enough to fly safe on many types of aircrafts.
I used to fly Robin DR221, Tecnam P2002 and now I’m learning to fly a Piel Emeraude CP305 since I’ve changed airclub.

I also sometimes fly a DR400 when I need to bring more than one passenger.

My main concern is flying safe and have fun.
I’d rather not fly an aircraft if I can’t practice enough to feel safe.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:54:33 +0000

I started my training in a Warrior but have now changed to a 172. I prefer the 172 by far, it flys much nicer than the Warrior, cant really explain it but it just does.

By: Julien

Julien — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:09:13 +0000

So far I’ve only flown Cessnas, C152, C172, and I got endorsed on the C182 two weeks ago. I really enjoyed the C182. Lot more power obviously, nicer engine sound (6 cylinders versus 4), and the proper use and care of a constant speed propeller as a new challenge. Otherwise handles pretty much like a 172, just more stable because of the higher weight.

I’m also looking forward to flying Pipers, which I haven’t done at all so far. I’d love to fly the Arrow for getting endorsed on retractable gear, but the only Arrow the club has is offline at the moment.

And yes, just like Plastic Pilot, I’d loke to fly a Robin someday in France. Heard a lot about them. Nearly flew in one once but flight was canceled because of weather. Next time I’m in France I think I’ll knock on the door of a club and go for a dual flight in one, and hopefully make a sufficiently good impression that they’ll rent one to me.

And of course my aviation to-do list does not stop there: glass cockpit, tailwheel, aerobatic, night VFR, , instrument rating,… So many things to experience, so little time and money…

Julien.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:47:58 +0000

Definitely unfaithful. I did all my PP training in a 172. Quickly switched to a Cherokee, and have been flying low wingers ever since. Maybe I am stuck on the configuration from my first flying experience, a Grumman Tiger. In the intervening years since that first flight (at age 7) I went on to fly demo flights in both low wing and high, my first steep turn was in a Piper Tomahawk (or is that Traumahawk?). Just before I started flight training I flew a Cirrus SR-22, which was awesome. I like everything about the Diamond DA-50, just need to see “how it fits” on me. I think I could be convinced to “cheat” on my Piper if one of those found its way into my hangar. I appreciate all things that fly!

By: Tartofraiz

Tartofraiz — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:42:07 +0000

My guess is that it really depends on how many hours you (can) fly. If you fly 20-30 hrs per year (my own average is around 50) I don’t think it is a good idea to fly different planes. In France the annual average of a VFR pilot is around 16 hrs/year…

That being said, I’d like to try a TB10 instead of the good old C172 I usually fly

By: PlasticPilot

PlasticPilot — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:17:33 +0000

@Adam: fly as much as you can, and good luck for your move.

@Fred: Thank you for all the details, I have to admit that I don’t know that much about the Piper history.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:55:23 +0000

One thing comes to mind when I read your intresting posting. PA-34 Seneca is rather a Twin Lance – it is the only Piper a/c which still use the old fat wing from the Cherokee’s of the 1960s! And the development of the PA-34 started in fact with a Cherokee Six with fixed landing gear and three engines (PA-32-3M). From this exprimental study the PA-34-180 Twin Six was born in 1967 – and the next stage became the PA-34-200 Seneca, which was annonced in September 1971…

By: Adam Smith

Adam Smith — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:43:40 +0000

PP, I currently live and work very close an FBO and a flight school with reasonable prices. I can get over to the airport after work and still have several hours of daylight. Next week I am moving across the country to New York City where I will not be close to an airport and flying is very expensive. I am trying to get my fix in now while I can. A week from now I will be looking back envying myself and being able to fly whenever I want.