flying more than one make and model?

At one point in time, my flying club had 10 planes, from a 150 to a
bonanza. I was able to fly all but the taildragger and the bonanza at
the time. Now, with a tailwheel endorsement and HP signoff, I could have
flown those two as well.

Cessna 150/152, 172, 177, Warrior, Archer, Arrow, Grumman Tiger and a
Mooney 20-E

Its all about having the checklists and proper performance data right
there. I had a checkride in each plane from an instructor. I was
considered current by our rules in all. Rather than memorizing ALL the
performance data for a given plane, you review it before flight, and
know your speeds based on reference to the checklist.

Even the airline guys have different speeds based on aircraft weight,
and have to look itup on a flight by flight basis.

It's a non issue in my mind (multiple currency)
Dave

wrote:
Hi guys, another question.

What are the most commonly-held views on flying more than one make and
model of aircraft?

Take the example of a 172 and a Warrior. Clearly the aircraft are
different and the best solution would be to fly only one make and
model, but the reality of plane rental is that if you are checked out
and current in more than one aircraft, you have more flexibility in
terms of when you can go flying, which means more fun and more overall
currency.

At what experience level is it generally seen as sensible to regularly
fly two different makes and models of plane? Is this a big deal or not?

Tom

In article .com,
says...
Hi guys, another question.

What are the most commonly-held views on flying more than one make and
model of aircraft?

Take the example of a 172 and a Warrior. Clearly the aircraft are
different and the best solution would be to fly only one make and
model, but the reality of plane rental is that if you are checked out
and current in more than one aircraft, you have more flexibility in
terms of when you can go flying, which means more fun and more overall
currency.

At what experience level is it generally seen as sensible to regularly
fly two different makes and models of plane? Is this a big deal or not?

I think it's fine - once you have your PPL! ie I don't think it's a
good idea to mix plane types while a student pilot.

--
Duncan

Dave Doe wrote:

In article .com,
says...

Hi guys, another question.

What are the most commonly-held views on flying more than one make and
model of aircraft?

Take the example of a 172 and a Warrior. Clearly the aircraft are
different and the best solution would be to fly only one make and
model, but the reality of plane rental is that if you are checked out
and current in more than one aircraft, you have more flexibility in
terms of when you can go flying, which means more fun and more overall
currency.

At what experience level is it generally seen as sensible to regularly
fly two different makes and models of plane? Is this a big deal or not?


I think it's fine - once you have your PPL! ie I don't think it's a
good idea to mix plane types while a student pilot.

Why not? As I posted earlier, I think it is a great idea. I'd flown
two fairly different airplanes before I soloed! And no, I didn't take a
long time to solo.

Matt

In article ,
says...
Dave Doe wrote:

In article .com,
says...

Hi guys, another question.

What are the most commonly-held views on flying more than one make and
model of aircraft?

Take the example of a 172 and a Warrior. Clearly the aircraft are
different and the best solution would be to fly only one make and
model, but the reality of plane rental is that if you are checked out
and current in more than one aircraft, you have more flexibility in
terms of when you can go flying, which means more fun and more overall
currency.

At what experience level is it generally seen as sensible to regularly
fly two different makes and models of plane? Is this a big deal or not?


I think it's fine - once you have your PPL! ie I don't think it's a
good idea to mix plane types while a student pilot.

Why not? As I posted earlier, I think it is a great idea. I'd flown
two fairly different airplanes before I soloed! And no, I didn't take a
long time to solo.

Because when you're learning to fly - that's what you should be
concentrating on - not learning to adjust and fly a different type
aircraft, as well.

Question back at you: why do you think it's a great idea? - and another,
since you mentioned it didn't take long for you to solo - how long might
that be:

--
Duncan

Dave Doe wrote:

Because when you're learning to fly - that's what you should be
concentrating on - not learning to adjust and fly a different type
aircraft, as well.

I agree, you should be learning to fly, not learning to fly just a C150
or whatever your training aircraft happens to be.


Question back at you: why do you think it's a great idea? - and another,
since you mentioned it didn't take long for you to solo - how long might
that be:

I posted earlier why I think it is a good idea. 8.2 hours.

Matt

In article ,
says...
Dave Doe wrote:

Because when you're learning to fly - that's what you should be
concentrating on - not learning to adjust and fly a different type
aircraft, as well.

I agree, you should be learning to fly, not learning to fly just a C150
or whatever your training aircraft happens to be.

There is no need to increase the burden of flying learning different
types IMO. (You would agree, would you not, that it *is* additional
workload - learning new types?). This is particularly evident later on
in training when learning stall recovery... I learnt in a Traumahawk -
the std config (two stall strips per wing) - and even then, they have a
noticeable wing drop - unlike a C172 that generally just mushes
forwards.

Perhaps even more basic than stalling... doin' yer first turns,
including climbing and descending turns - why complicate matters with
different rates, different speeds, different characteristics - all of
which are directly related to simply flying a different type aircraft.

My opinion is unchanged - stick to one type - do your various type
ratings as you wish after yer PPL is obtained.

I note that some familair posters who are or were instructors endorse
this also.

PS: I soloed in less hours, perhaps thats the difference? (7.5)

--
Duncan

In article ,
Dave Doe wrote:

I think it's fine - once you have your PPL! ie I don't think it's a
good idea to mix plane types while a student pilot.

Why not? As I posted earlier, I think it is a great idea. I'd flown
two fairly different airplanes before I soloed! And no, I didn't take a
long time to solo.

Because when you're learning to fly - that's what you should be
concentrating on - not learning to adjust and fly a different type
aircraft, as well.

That's part of flying too.


Question back at you: why do you think it's a great idea?

The CFI gets to see if the student is flying by rote or actually being
a pilot


- and another,
since you mentioned it didn't take long for you to solo - how long might
that be:

8 hours to solo, 48 hours to ASEL.

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

In article ,
Dave Doe wrote:

At what experience level is it generally seen as sensible to regularly
fly two different makes and models of plane? Is this a big deal or not?

I think it's fine - once you have your PPL! ie I don't think it's a
good idea to mix plane types while a student pilot.

My CFI would do that regularly with her students - but normally
after first solo. A 172 and a warrior simply aren't that different.
btw - my CFI would also take up a passenger or two so that that
I (the student) would not get used to the weight configuration and
get surprised when flying solo.

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

In article ,
lid says...
In article ,
Dave Doe wrote:

At what experience level is it generally seen as sensible to regularly
fly two different makes and models of plane? Is this a big deal or not?

I think it's fine - once you have your PPL! ie I don't think it's a
good idea to mix plane types while a student pilot.

My CFI would do that regularly with her students - but normally
after first solo. A 172 and a warrior simply aren't that different.
btw - my CFI would also take up a passenger or two so that that
I (the student) would not get used to the weight configuration and
get surprised when flying solo.

See reply to Matt.

--
Duncan

Dave Doe wrote:

I think it's fine - once you have your PPL! ie I don't think it's a
good idea to mix plane types while a student pilot.

Fly one airplane, and only the one you're currently flying, at a time.

While attending a Part 141 school, I swapped between (3) differently
equipped PA28's with AI's calibrated in knots. At 20 hours, I changed
to a BE23 with an AI in MPH, and took my check ride @ 47 hours.

I was required to give a ~30 minute presentation to each instructor on
the systems and flying (V speeds, emergency procedures, etc...)
differences, using the POH's as visual aids. None of the instructors
had previously flown any Beech 23 family aircraft. I made laminated
V-speed and extra checklists that were offered to each instructor and
the DE. In hindsight, I think the extra homework was beneficial, and an
excellent experience. Both aircraft became that much more detailed in
my mind.

A great example learned while actually flying involved stalls. Using
the stall recovery technique for the Warrior on the Sundowner resulted
in an unwanted pitch down attitude, while gently relaxing the elevator
pressure worked perfectly. The Sundowner also needed slightly different
inputs to slip, when compared to the Piper.

I believe that I was a much better pilot when the DE arrived for the PPL
ride, because I felt like I _really _ knew the aircraft, in addition to
being able to execute maneuvers.

All in all, I think changing aircraft can actually be good, if the
student is willing and able to put in the proper effort.