SongMan

I have few elemantary questions about these planes.

-For soft/short takeoff, C172 use 1 notch (10 Degree of flap). However I see that Worrior uses 2 notch according to the POH. I'm guessing it has to do with low and high wing. Can someone explain why this is? Also do you ever just use 1 notch of flaps on Worrior for short/soft takeoff's?

-On cessna 172. the fuel tanks are connected to one another. If so, why is it that you have different amount left after a flight? I mean even if different amount is burned on each wing tank, wouldn't it even out after it is parked for couple hours?

-I'm confused why Piper warrior is also called cherokee. Isn't Piper a company and Worrior PA-28 model of aircraft? So why add Cherokee? So when we call ground for clearence, we tell them that we are Piper Cherokee Warrior PA-28???

thank you!

ppilot

1) Don't really know. The pipers have a big fat wing with a higher wing-loading. They found in certification that it performed best with more flaps. This isn't unusual. Some 172's call for 0 degrees flaps for short field work.

2) Uncoordinated flight will often end up with more fuel in one tank than the other. When parked on level ground, it should eventually even out. They're usually parked with the fuel switched to 'left' or 'right' which will stop it from evening out.

3) There was originally a cherokee 140, 160, and 180. The 160 was updated with a roomier cabin and called the Warrior, the 180 became the Archer. You'll still hear them called Cherokee sometimes. There are a number of Piper products like this (Navajo/Chieftain?)

Hope this helps.

mjarosz

Can't help you with the first one...but I'll take a shot at the other 2.
On the Cessna 172, the fuel vent is located on the left wing. With the addition to the fuel cap vents, there's a total of 2 vents on the left side and only 1 vent on the right side. As a result, it is easier to get fuel from the left tank. It'll take it out of there until about 10 gallons are burned off then start drawing from the right side. When you shut the plane down, the checklist says to place the fuel selector on either the right or left tank. This prevents fuel from flowing to each tank. This is in case the plane is parked on a bank, and all the fuel would flow into one tank.

For the Pipers, the name Cherokee applies to the basic PA-28 model. There are several derivitaves based on configuration, etc... For example, the Warrior is a 160 hp Cherokee. The Archer is 180 hp. And the Cherokee Arrow is 200 hp and complex. But they all fall under the PA-28 designation.
Hope this helps.

-MJ

SongMan

So is it not accurate to call the Warrior a Cherokee now? Or can it be called either or ?

also, if i see a c172 that has been sitting there for more than 12 hours with more than 3 inch difference in fuel height, would this be a problem since it's not evening out? Would this call for "squawk" or problem?
If the plane is sitting on reletively flat surface, how long does it take for the fuel to even out? I just don't get why some planes have difference in fuel height when it's been sitting overnight at a reletively flat surface.

the King

I'd just fill it up the night before. I doubt the imbalance is worth a squawk. You just have to pay attention to which tank you select in cruise.

You can call a Warrior a Cherokee, but it technically isn't proper to call a Cherokee a Warrior unless it is the PA-28-160 Warrior, but unless you are on the ACID team, I doubt anyone is going to really care. As far as contacting clearance or ground, tell them you are a PA-28.

TXTECHKA

ATC will always see what you are flying as a "PA-28" so most likely they will always call it a cherokee. There is also a Cherokee 235 known as a Dakota.

MobiusOne

SongMan,

The biggest difference between the flap extension angle with the Piper and the Cessna isn't so much as High wing vs. Low wing, but its a difference in the flap design. The Cessna utilizes Fowler flaps while the Piper has plain flaps. Flowler flaps change the camber and chord of the wing, while increasing surface area. This dramatically increases lift while keeping drag minimal. The Piper on the other hand has a much simpler flap system that simply swings down on a hinge. The flaps are much smaller, less effective, and therefore, require more angle of attack. That would be the best answer.

As far as the fuel is concerned, the reason you have a difference between night and day is primarily due to fuel expansion. When fuel cools, it shrinks. When fuel heats up, it expands. This is why a Cessna has fuel vents on it, so excess fuel can drip out if fuel expands beyonds the confines of tank itself.

However, don't think that you are "losing" fuel. The same BTU's of energy exist within that tank whether it's cold and reading 16 gallons on the dipstick, or hot and reading 18 gallons on the dipsticl.