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Yeah, that could make for a bad day. I don't think I'd want to experience an engine out in a twin. I'll stick with the single engine planes. At least with them ,engine quits, you just look for a field and fly as normal......

I never finished. Got down to completing my long cross country and decided to stop due to kid #4 on the way, rotating to another base, and continued deployments to the sandbox. Made it real hard to find time to fly and prep for FAA check ride. I now have the opportunity to get my license through my employer as well at a discounted price. Now I have to just find time and get over the uneasyness of flying a cessna. All my time has been in a piper warrior with exception of 3 hours in a cessna.

Hey Lifer, I started flying at Scott AFB aero club in 2002.

I wouldn't feel uneasy about flying a Cessna. A plane is a plane, the physics of flying is the same for all. Just have to learn each one's little quirks. One thing I like about a high winger is you get a much better view of the ground. I never liked the wing being in the way when I used to fly in the old days.

It's the little quirks about the cessna that worry me.

m-11 wrote:It's the little quirks about the cessna that worry me.

What model of Cessna are you talking about? Single engine Cessnas have to be one of the most well behaved aircraft in the world, I don't know of any bad habits as far as 150's or 172's go. Maybe the twins?
Greencom

Single engine Cessnas have to be one of the most well behaved aircraft in the world

I'd have to disagree but this is based on 50 hours of flying time so I'm in no means an expert but I do prefer the handling of the piper warrior. The cessna was a 172 and I only have about 3 hours in them. I guess if I'm going to get my license it will have to be in a cessna. Not to many pipers out here in the mountains.

My wife and I owned and flew a 1962 Cessna Skyhawk for 10 years and put over 900 safe and happy hours in it before we had to sell it because of income problems. It was difficult to stall, flew at 48 mph with full flaps, and just plain took care of us. I cannot imagine a plane with better manners than a Skyhawk. Her flight instructor did not like using Skyhawks for training because he said they were too tame and predictable and stable, it was too hard to get into trouble with them. I cannot think of a single bad habit this plane ever had nor have I ever heard of any other pilot complain about a Skyhawk except that hey were not real fast because of the huge wings and tail which also made it so safe. You must have flown one with some strange problem.
Greencom

I think there are probably unsubstantiated myths floating around about every make and model aircraft.

I did most of my flying earlier in Piper Tomahawks. The mere mention of that plane to some people, invoked the name Traumahawk. I asked why this was once and was told they have a habit of going into a flat spin if unintentionally put into a spin. Problem was nobody ever could prove it. I never once had any problems or even felt nervous about flying in a Tomakhawk, and would happily hop into one today.

Nickathome wrote:I think there are probably unsubstantiated myths floating around about every make and model aircraft.

I did most of my flying earlier in Piper Tomahawks. The mere mention of that plane to some people, invoked the name Traumahawk. I asked why this was once and was told they have a habit of going into a flat spin if unintentionally put into a spin. Problem was nobody ever could prove it. I never once had any problems or even felt nervous about flying in a Tomakhawk, and would happily hop into one today.

I doubt that the FAA would have certified the Tomahawk if it had a tendency to flat spin.The only thing I observed with the Tomahawk is that it flared a little slower than the Skyhawk, perhaps because of the high tail being out of ground effect when landing.
Greencom

greencom wrote:

Nickathome wrote:I think there are probably unsubstantiated myths floating around about every make and model aircraft.

I did most of my flying earlier in Piper Tomahawks. The mere mention of that plane to some people, invoked the name Traumahawk. I asked why this was once and was told they have a habit of going into a flat spin if unintentionally put into a spin. Problem was nobody ever could prove it. I never once had any problems or even felt nervous about flying in a Tomakhawk, and would happily hop into one today.

I doubt that the FAA would have certified the Tomahawk if it had a tendency to flat spin.The only thing I observed with the Tomahawk is that it flared a little slower than the Skyhawk, perhaps because of the high tail being out of ground effect when landing.
Greencom

True, and I think also the fact that the High position of the horizontal stabilizer being out of the prop wash also made it sluggish at low power settings, but still nothing to cause concern.

Been sick all week and got alot of sleep so I am catching up on many posts, this being a big absence from the G741 as I have been hanging my hat over at the G838.

My family has been in Aviation since the 50's.

Yea we know a bit about stick and rudder!!! BTW, no electrical system in this one!!! We have owned her since 1969

I give up, it isn't a Stearman (?)

Dave

Since no electrical system is installed.......we start her the old fashion way!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDY2eqs ... re=channel

I feel bad for pilots that fly for years that never get to enjoy TRUE FLYING!!

djester wrote:I give up, it isn't a Stearman (?)

Dave

LOL, your right its not. Its a Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3. Only 816 of the -3's were built and were over 100 flying today. Built in 1940, the navy retired the last 15 in 1959 making her (ours was one of them) the last Biplane to serve in the US Military. She is wearing her markings that she wore in 1959 at Annapolis.

Not many people recognize a Stearman anymore, but even fewer recognize the N3N. There is one N3N pilot who shows up at the annual National Stearman Fly-In in Galesburg, IL, now and then though.

Looking at your YouTube clip, I'd say she was being a little "temperamental" that morning. Did she ever get off the ground?