Comet

Hey guys

a bit of backstory:
our school's planes got destroyed some 4months back due to ridiculously strong winds ripping them off the ground and throwing them into each other. The planes were secured and all, but the winds were so strong that it ripped them right off.. They even managed to throw some of those airline containers from inside the airport to the parking lot of the airport.
So we finally got a new plane 2 weeks back and everyone is real happy.
We had an old 1969 172 and now we have a new 2004 172 to take its place.

So I went back for a re-familiarization flight with the new plane since it had been a while, and new plane, new gizmos, etc..

Now all the FIs were raving as to how great the new plane is, and how responsive it is and it is so much better than the old one. Here is the problem: I disagree with them
I feel it is LESS responsive and as a result more difficult to fly.
I'm having trouble flying it leveled almost.
Also I have a new instructor who seems to hate his job and probably thinks I'm horrible at flying. (old instructor quit 2months ago)

It isn't that I haven't flown in a long time, I was in the left seat of an acrobatic Marchetti in a "Fighter Pilot for a day" thing 1 month ago and I was smooth, level flight, perfect turns, and felt extremely comfortable.. kind of like riding a bike...

I just feel uncomfortable in this new C172. Like everything is wrong.

What could be wrong with me? I seem to be the only one who has a problem with this plane.. I used to be one of the best students at our school with the old plane...

just looking for some feedback if anyone knows what could be wrong
I'm willing to take whatever steps I need to correct this... I asked my new instructor, but he's just convinced I'm horrible and is not helpful at all.. He's given up on me after my 2nd flight with him.

PearlPilot

When I first started flying I flew newer generation Skyhawks. A 2000 SP, 2005 G1000, and a 1998 SP. After about 6 months the said flight school went out of business and the FBO I transfered to had older 1970s Skyhawks (70, 74, and 71). Actually I had no trouble with the transition at all. I felt that the newer Skyhawks were "heavy" on the controls and felt it "bigger" sitting inside. The older ones were "lighter". To be frank, I prefer flying the newer ones because I felt that the handling was more crisp and responsive as far as ailerons go. Landing the bird was pretty much the same. Interestingly the 1975 C-150 I fly, handles better than the 1971 Skyhawk. In fact the handling characteristics of the 150 can be comparable to the 2000 SP I used to fly and miss so much. How much experience do you have? For me it sounds like you just need to fly a bit more and do some steep turns, stalls, slow flight, etc. I am not sure if everyone will agree with me here, but I think Cessna really did an outstanding job in perfecting their Skyhawk. Since the 1970s the aircraft has come a long way and has made some remarkable improvements (well not a whole lot really). Good luck and I truly hope you will learn to love the new plane. Again it's not THAT different...

172skyhigh

When i first started Flying i trained in 2004 and up 172SPs, i have never flown an older cessna (yet). But as a new pilot i learned we have our good days and our bad days you just have to go out and power through it. And as for your instructor he works FOR YOU you can always find a better one that will teach you how to fly rather then put you down or giving up..

Comet

I have around 18 hours
it isn't much I know...

yeah exactly, the controls were heavy... and after flying an acrobatic plane that was super responsive, the SP felt clunky :P

USMCFLYR

Even with 18 hours you must realize how crazy a statement it is to try and compare the flyability of an airplane built for aerobatics with a Cessna Skyhawk right?

As for the "weird" feeling of a different aircraft; I'd venture to guess that it is like a 16 year old getting behind the first set of wheels other than the car he learned to drive in. The brakes are different, the steering feels different, the ride is different, etc.... You just don't have the experience to compare the flying qualities of different aircraft with each other right now in your beginning stages of training. I would think that ANY aircraft that you flew (or the many that you might fly) will feel quite different.

USMCFLYR

mexipilot84

I got to say i agree with comet. I started flying older 172s and when I had to end up changing flight schools the newer shiny 172s felt heavy and clunky. I did not feel the same flight control sensitivity as the older models. So then I want to fly their cherokee which I ended up loving more. Much more comfy.

If you do want a nice responsive aircraft I do recommend you try a diamond aircraft. Damn thing is a glider and does not want to come down without persuasion. Bit awkward at first flying stick but if you can fly a DA40 or DA42 you wont be dissapointed. The DA20 is ok just not very comfy for a tall and big guy like me.

9kBud

It doesn't matter how much or how little experience you have, your first landing in a new type, even if it's as small a change as going from old to new generation 172's will almost always suck. You'll get used to the newer 172's even if it takes a few hours. 18 hours isn't much, so it shouldn't take too long to work out the kinks. The only difference in getting used to new aircraft other than proper training is nuance.

TheReelDeel33

hey comet I sent you a PM I think we might go to the same school

Bellanca

I got my instrument rating in new R and SP models and recently have done some instruction at a flying club in an a couple older 172s a K & M models, and I have to say I prefer the feel of the older ones for maneuvers. They seem lighter on the controls to me. Different 172's feel different (even going from one SP to another they can feel different).

There is nothing wrong with you. It probably has a different feel to it. But, I'm betting a lot has to do with the only having one flight in the past 4 months, you really lose a lot when you're not flying on a regular basis. I had to take a 3 or 4 month break in the middle of my private pilot because of a knee injury and it set me back at least a good 8-10 hours. I'm assuming that the aerobatic flight was for fun, and probably a lot less pressure to perform than your normal lessons.

Also, can you go up with a different instructor? IMO, If this CFI really has that kind of attitude you don't need to be wasting your money on him.

Comet

Thanks for the replies
I spoke to the school's owner about the CFI's attitude and his constant text messaging.
we'll see what happens

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that the older ones were easier to maneouver/lighter