How different is a Cessna Skyhawk from a Piper warrior?
December 4, 2009
right now im 15 and i’ve been doing most of my training in a warrior, but i’ve always wanted to fly a cessna skyhawk 172. Are they really different either flight wise or control wise?
It’s also generally the opinion among some pilots that the Cherokees tend to have a little more solid feel upon landing due to:
1) the gear being farther apart.
2) the low wing generating more ground effect since it is closer to the runway than the high winged Cessna.
The Cessna has no fuel pump since the fuel is gravity fed. The Cessna’s have a push in knob at the firewall for the throttle lever. The C172 has two doors whereas the Warrior has one. The Warrior is a tighter squeeze for two people.
No, they are not really different flight wise or control wise otherwise.
The biggest difference is the visibility due to the wing placement.
Cessna’s have a better view of the airport on downwind, but can obscure your view of an aircraft on a possible collision course on a straight in final when on base.
The Warrior’s wings obscure your view of the airport on downwind, but give you a good view of any aircraft on a possible collision course on a straight in final when on base.
If you’re flying a Warrior, avoid making a straight in final. Your wings can obscure your view of a high wing aircraft on base. And you don’t want to land on top of that guy.
I agree with someone who said that you should continue your training in what you are familiar with. You will waste more time and money switching around in aircraft makes while you are still learning.
