Low Wing “Feels” Better to Me
By Patch • Category: General Aviation
I don’t know if there is any scientific backing for my “feeling”, but I do “feel” better when I’m flying ON the wings than under the wings. I know, it’s dumb, but I’ve felt this way for a while and I found out I’m not the only one who “feels” this way.
When you’re in a high-wing such as the Cessna 172 I learned to fly in, you feel like you’re kind of dangling under the wings. It kind of creeps me out and makes me feel a little “at risk”.
After over 50 hours in a 172 getting my PPSEL, I decided to get checked out in a Piper Archer III and was SHOCKED at how much better I felt in a low wing. In the 172 I would actually get a bit of anxiety on occasions and I kept thinking “I’m just hanging off these wings up here.” It was strange but definately how I was feeling.
Not only did the Piper Archer “feel” more secure, it flew fantastic. I was trying to put this into a power-on stall and it just wouldn’t “break” into the stall. The CFI I was flying with said that was about all I was going to get. Wow! I was amazed at how well the plane handled. Solid, stable and secure.
With a high-wing you do get to see a lot more of the ground, but you can still see plenty just forward of the wings in a Piper and that’s cool with me. It’s not a bad trade off.
Don’t get me wrong Cessna, I love you guys and I will never forget those 50+ hours you gave to me while getting my PPSEL. I’m sure I’ll be flying in one of your wonderful birds again someday. I know they’re safe and I loved it, but I’m sticking with this strange “feeling” I have.
So as you’re looking at what the local flight schools have to offer, try out both the high wings and low wings. Just about every school will have a 172 or 152 available. You might have to search a bit to find a Piper.
I’d love to hear from others who have this same “feeling.” I know some may think of me as a wimp, but I’m ok with that.
Patch is the owner of this site. I originally took my flight instruction with Spokane Airways located at Spokane International Airport (GEG). I passed my checkride in August of 2007. I now live in Florida and fly out of Lantana (KLNA) or North County Airport (F45).
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I agree, and have posted similarly just now as well. Perhaps it is just the airplanes that I have flown, but the Archer felt much better than the 172s that I have experience with. It probably helps that all of the Archers are 180 hp (many of the 172s are 160), and those gas shocks on the main gear make your landings seem a lot better sometimes.
I like many pilots did most my training in Cessna aircraft and have only limited low wing experience (Diamond and Piper aircraft). The biggest difference I find in the low wing aircraft is how much brighter it is in the cockpit without the huge sun shade the Cessna wings make. But, I do love looking down and miss some of the great view I get in the low-wing planes. I also like being able to open the windows on the Cessna.
But, I might have to give the low wing planes another try.