Hi - To make a long story short, I have about 44 hours and 4 solos in a 172. I'm considering returning to lessons after a little over 4 years... and considering switching to a 152 as they are about $20 per hour less expensive.However, I weigh about 195 lbs.; I'm wondering, if I had a "similarly-weighted" instructor, if that's going to be a significant issue.Looking at the Flight1 152, I can't help but feel it would be valuable if I go the 152 way - but I'm wondering if the real thing is adequate.Goal would be to get going in the 152, finish up PPL, and get checked out in a 172 for taking the family.Thanks,Andrew

As a fairly big guy myself, this is always a concern! It is somewhat aircraft dependent as the gross empty weight of each aircraft is different (radios and other equipment added on can add up to a lot!). If you and your instructor, plus fuel are less that or equal to the maximum gross weight, then that is not a problem, but check the weight and balance to make sure you don't exceed the aircraft limits.If you have to go on less than full fuel, then it can be a problem, but in the pipers I trained on we would go on 36 out of 50 gallons for a normal training session. This would still give about 4 hours of endurance, so it was not a problem. They should have the POHs for the plane you would likely train on, so check the weight and balance section of the manual. Make it a lesson with you instructor. Just as an example, when we practiced spins, we had to calculate fuel down to a few minutes. Pipers Cherokee (and 152s) are not made for guys in the plus 250 range (195 is not that big!)I would just talk to the training unit and work out the math!Have fun!Mike Hudson

Andrew,Strongly suggest you do a weight and balance. Suspect you won't legally get off the ground with those figures and full fuel.152's can be a bit sluggish taking off with a full load. I can remember on my PPL Test, I did a weight and balance on a 152 with full fuel, me (182 lbs) and my examiner (154 lbs), and 10lbs flight bag. We were just over, so he told me to leave my flight bag, and we just scraped it.Richard

I just took a 'one-off' lesson in a 152, the limiting weight they quoted was 200 lbs.That wasn't a problem, but the cockpit was very snug for a 6-footer.A great experience, the plane I flew can be seen at http://www.amfly.com/67334.htmlnoteEngine: Lycoming 110 HP .......... Pay load: 350 lbsCheers, Keith

Thanks guys.Looks like I need to get on the treadmill ;)OR, I can just find a 136 pound instructor...Andrew

Hi Andrew,I earned my ppsel training in Aeronca 7AC's & Piper J3 with a 235 lb instructor. Checked out in a Cessena 150 with the same instructor after earning my ticket. I think if you check the specs, the 152 should have a slightly better performance than those A//C's. IMHO it should not be a problem unless you can't find an instructor under 200 lbs. ;-)Happy Flyin' - Kenps - I weighted 169 lbs at that time.

You might rethink "the get checked out in a 172 for taking the family". You will find that the 172 grosses out quite quickly, especially if you carry four passengers and any baggage.During my training in a 172SP, our front seat total was 466lbs and with a full full load, we averaged close to 2500lbs and the 172SP has a max gross takeoff weight of 2550lbs.Generally, an average family of four would probably use a C182.Lastly, if you are planning on renting an aircraft to some distant cross-country and airline facilities are available, take the airline. They are much cheaper and you will probably have A/C, peanuts, and a soda. Of course, you will probably get searched at the airport and have to put up with long lines.W. Sieffert

Thanks for the notes..."Lastly, if you are planning on renting an aircraft to some distant cross-country and airline facilities are available, take the airline."Ah. But the point of the journey is not to arrive...

Andrew Hi, maybe you can combine reading all the ground-school stuff with riding an exercise bike.........(:^)Coincidentally, whilst I was taking the 152 lesson mentioned above my family went for a scenic flight in a 172, wife and two big teenage boys. Of course they had no luggage.But they enjoyed the ride far more than the airline flights to and from Florida! Cheers, Keith

Weight and balance is a great start. Also, if you are closterphobic, this is not the plane for you. You do not get into the Cessna 152, you put it on like a tight pair of jeans. :DI was lucky when I was doing my flight training. My instructor was a 120 lbs female, while I came in at 190 lbs. We were able to fit in there alright and have room to operate the aircraft. I felt sorry for the guys that had to squeeze in there with their 200 lbs instructors. Besides being able to fit into the 152 easier, she really new her stuff. I flew with one of the other instructors once, and besides being cramped, they were cocky cowboys - which is what you don't need when you are learning.:DGood luck with your training. The Cessna 152 is a fantastic trainer, I am sure you will do fine.

Be sure to calculate density altitude and reference the 152's performance chart in the POH before you fly. Your rate of climb, particularly on hot and humid days at or near gross weight, may be surprisingly low.Also, you can reduce gross weight by flying with less than full tanks. Don't have the tanks topped off after the previous student ties the airplane down. Remember however to visually check the fuel level in the tanks during your preflight - cross check with the fuel guage, and note the time you start your engine, so that you can calculate how much fuel has been consumed and how much is left based on the fuel flow from the POH. Assuming that your flight will consist of 40 minutes maneuvering, 20 minutes from the airport to the practice area, another 20 minutes back, and 20 minutes for start up, run up and taxi, plus 30 minutes VFR minimum fuel reserve, you're looking at 130 minutes or 2 hours 10 minutes total @ 6 gph is a little over 12, make it 13 gallons total. That's a little over half the total useable fuel in a 152 so don't fly with anything less than 1/2 tanks for a typical training sortie.100 LL Avgas weighs about 6 lbs per gallon so if you leave about 13 gallons (half tank) you've reduced your total gross weight by 78 lbs, which in a 152 is a lot! On a warm day that could make the difference between going flying or looking wistfully at the sky.

>I was lucky when I was doing my flight training. My>instructor was a 120 lbs female, while I came in at 190 lbs. >We were able to fit in there alright and have room to operate>the aircraft. I felt sorry for the guys that had to squeeze>in there with their 200 lbs instructors. Sounds almost identical to my flight training..........she was only a very slight lady and really knew her stuff. It was a pleasure to learn from her. On a few occasions I had one of the burly male instructors and with all their 'cowboy' quips x( , I was glad to get back to my regular instructress!! :-)