flying more than one make and model?

Robert M. Gary wrote:
I generally don't recommend student pilots switch back and forth
because they are still learning and becuase they need to become "one
with the plane" for their checkride. However, any private pilot who
flys semi-regularly should have no problems switching between the Piper
and the Cessna. At some point the differences between planes become
almost non-existant. Often times the first experience I have in a new
type of airplane is sitting right seat with a student pilot.

The FBO where I learned had two C150s, an older model with the straight
turtledeck and no back window and a later version with the "omni view"
or whatever Cessna called it. The older one also had manual flaps vs.
electric in the new one. The avionics were totally different. I
switched back and forth often during my training and never found it a
problem. Personally, I think it actually helped when I moved up the the
172 and then 182.

I believe it is very important to learn to make the airplane do what you
want it to do with whatever control inputs are required. I think
switching airplanes now and then helps develop this trait. I hear way
too many people who move to a different airplane and then land on the
nosewheel, or drop it in or some such thing and then say "well N12345
didn't require that much pull to flary." Who cares what the last
airplane required to flare? You are flying the one you are in now, not
the one you were in last.

Matt

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 ,
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

I regularly fly a Baron and an Extra 300. They are vastly different in all
regards, and require a completely different set of skills.

In the end, they are both just airplanes, and it's mostly a matter of touch
and feel that makes the difference.

wrote in message
oups.com...
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

I usually suggest that students remain in one aircraft type through
certification if possible. This is done for various reasons pertaining to
the flight instruction scenario, but after certification, there should be no
reason why a pilot should avoid flying different types of airplanes.
You should use the same approach to flying various types that you use to fly
a single type; that being a thorough and competent familiarization and
checkout with each type flown.
There's really no reason to limit yourself to one type of airplane based on
the reasoning that your familiarization with that type will make your flying
safer.
Just treat each airplane you fly as THE airplane you are flying on that day
and at that time and you should be fine.
Conversely, switching airplanes frequently without a thorough understanding
and compliance with what I have mentioned above can indeed be a potential
safety problem.
What makes switching airplanes safe is simply the attitude you develop about
the issue. That attitude should transfer directly into the habit patterns
you need to be safe in this environment.
Done correctly, flying different airplanes frequently can and indeed should
be a plus for you as a pilot, not a negative.
Dudley Henriques

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

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:

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 ,
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

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.