Hey all,I finally decided to have a go and start my PPL training here in Belgium.I've contacted the local flying club, and I'll be doing an initiation flight on Thursday. They have a Cessna 152 and a Robin DR400 at their disposal for flight trainings, but obviously once I have decided which one I'll fly, I will have to stick with it during my entire training, so I must choose wisely.What would you guys suggest ? Any experience ? I'm in Belgium so obviously most if not all of my flying will be in Europe.The instructor on the phone said that he Robin costs a bit more on training (like 18 euros an hour more than the Cessna), but most people choose it because it has more power, and obviously the low-wings. And it is a 4-seat aircraft which is nice if you want to take a few people on a trip once you have your license.Can anybody give some advice for a rookie ? :-)thx

Hey, congrats, good choice to start PPL training! In the end you will have to take the decision on your own of course, but although the DR400 is only little cheaper, I personally would still prefer the 152, while I have to add I haven't flown the DR400 myself. The 152 has been a standard trainer for a really long time. Considering the config I have no idea what would make me choose a low wing aircraft when I have to opt between low and high. I feel the 152 is simply outstanding to learn VFR flying because of its high wing design. It's a really well tempered aircraft that is amazing to get started and also takes a lot. Still it definately can be fun to operate desptie its lower power compared to the DR400. Plus I definately prefer a yoke over a sailplane-like stick but that just on a side note! :biggrin:You see I am a little biased here and sort of advertising the smaller bird here. Still, once you have your license I am convinced it will be a piece of cake for you to transfer to a four seater, then you can take your family and friends to prolonged trips. I myself started flight training in a two seater and would not know why I should have carried two additional empty seats during initial training. You will be busy enough with getting things coordinated in the front. :( After some time I also changed over to a four seater and that also of a different manufacturer, and it's not that big of a change once you get the basic flying done. Some may say it's better to focus on one type (which I did, well, one type at a time) but it's also good to broaden your mind after some time in that regard. You will benefit from it in the long run I feel.As I already indicated I have only flown the 152 initially but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. :blush:Etienne

Hey Etienne, thanks for the tips.I've looked at some youtube footage from Robin DR400 flights and indeed the sailplane stick seems a bit odd, especially considering that most of my FSX experience was done with Yoke-controlled GA aircraft.I'll talk to my instructor on Thursday and see what he says about it.I did notice on their website that they have a 172 also, so once I have my license I probably could rent that one too for trips, and taking a few passengers with me. I guess the transition from a 152 to a 172 is not that big of a deal ?

It all depends on personal preference.I have instructed for many hours in 152s and I would say that anything is probably a better trainer if you are taller than an infant and weigh more than 150 pounds. If I was in your position I would save up and fly the Robin. The yoke vs. stick argument doesn't matter too much either, many aircraft are moving towards the stick eg. Cessna 162, 300, 400, Cirrus' and nearly all of the new light sport aircraft. After flying yoke equipped aircraft for 900 hours then flying a Bellanca Citabria, and a Diamond DA-20 there really wasn't any learning curve at all.

The 3 fields I use all train in cessnas, one field uses the 172 4 seater, a slightly larger engine and weight is not a lot of difference.Ditto, once you have your license you can fly other planes with a small learning curve.

C152....But I am biased..Lou (C150 N1472Q..Taller than an infant,180 lbs.)

In some ways there is not much to choose between them, since they both have plus points, however, the C152 does have one advantage the DR400 cannot match, and that is visibility downwards, which is better on the 152 thanks to its high wing. That can potentially be useful for VFR navigation and may be a slight advantage when you are learning to position the aircraft in the circuit.Al

C152....But I am biased..Lou (C150 N1472Q..Taller than an infant,180 lbs.)

How tall are you? I am 6'3" and 190 pounds. No where near giant or fat and I can barely get in the thing.

Thanks for the additions, folks. Yeah the stick was definately not meant as an 'argument', as I said, just personal preference. :( Sure, many small and also large aircraft change to sticks. Look at the Buses, the A300 had the yoke, all successors introduced the stick. Look at the Falcons, the old ones had yokes, the 7X got a stick, and maybe Boeing will take the step one day also. And transitioning pilot wise is sure no issue at all.BTW, I am 6'1" and fit in the 152 quite comfortable. Also not fat, though. But I can say we've had a few big 200+ pounders in class who all had initial training on her. Could only get into trouble with W&B at times if you did it correct, at least once you have those so called "LR" fuel tanks installed haha...Edit @original poster: Ahm, to sort that out why don't you just head to your field and just take a seat in the planes? I'm sure that could contribute to your decision. :(

How tall are you? I am 6'3" and 190 pounds. No where near giant or fat and I can barely get in the thing.

I,m 5'10",180 lbs....My buddy is 6'2",240 lbs...And it is a tight fit for him....

I,m 5'10",180 lbs....My buddy is 6'2",240 lbs...And it is a tight fit for him....

,,,yeah, but - you know... Once your in, your in :( ;)I've been pushed a little by a former USMC colonel to get a 152He had one for a good while. He says they're cheap to fly and easy to maintain.and he's 6' 4 I think

I think the best two seat trainer is a AA-1B or C I love that it uses the same engine as the 152 but you get more room and more speed than the 152 can offer.