Jack Allison wrote:

I find myself in the position of having just under 200 hours in Cessna
172s/152s (99% C-172 time), approximately 9 hours in an Archer, and in
the process of making an offer on an Arrow. So, I'm well on my way from
being a high wing to low wing convert. I'm wondering how many other
folks out there did their primary training with the wing on the top then
switched to flying (or even better, buying) one with the wing on the
bottom...or even the other way around? Any issues, likes/dislikes about
the transition?

It's funny because I started out researching Cardinals (still like them,
have yet to fly one but really want to some day). Two weeks ago, things
shifted gears with a different partner on a possible Cherokee. Then, a
week ago, this same partner has a friend who found a really nice '67
Arrow that the three of us are going to make an offer on. Adding it all
up, four potential partnership prospects and four aircraft prospects
(first potential partner bought himself a C-172 XP and offered me
1/2...I declined based on a questionable engine). The Arrow deal isn't
done yet but it's interesting to see how things have twisted and turned
a bit in the last few months. One thing is for sure, I've definitely
hooked up with a couple of partners that I'm very comfortable with. That
in and of itself has been worth it. Should the Arrow deal fall apart,
plan-B just might be a two way deal on a Cherokee.


I got my private in Cessnas, my instrument in a Cherokee, owned a 182
for 6 years and ~350 hours, and now belong to a club that flies an
Arrow. I like flying and the location of the wing is largely secondary.

Having said that, I do have a preference, and it is for a high wing. It
is probably mostly due to that being how I was introduced to flying,
however, I like being able to straight down when flying, I find high
wing airplanes easy to get into and out of and I live being able to hide
under the wing when it is raining.

However, the important thing is to be flying.


Matt