usmc-sgt

Quick question for all of you. I am working on my CMEL right now as well as concurrently working on my CSEL and plan to take both checkrides in the same day in the last week of this month. I am doing my CMEL as my initial in a duchess since it is the airplane I am currently most profficient in and feel most comfortable in. I am at 228 hours or so now so it is time to start training in a single engine plane for the single add on.

I am going to choose between a 152 and a 172. The reason I was leaning towards the 152 is because it does not have to be complex and I could save around 400 dollars over the 15 hours or so that I will need it. Many of the people around the fbo have been saying that I am better off in a 172 because it is more powerful and more stable in the commercial maneuvers and will not be as difficult. Is there any truth to these rumors? I have around 70 or so hours in a 152 and really havent had many problems with stability in manuevers and I have about 30 hours in a 172 and it is a much more capable airplane when compared to its counterpart but not sure if the difference is worth the extra 400 dollars over the hours I need.

Do any of you have experience in the CSEL maneuvers in either of these planes and could give me some insight?

As always I appreciate your help

USMCSGT

Puppyz

i've flown both the 152 and 172. I did my Comm SEL in a 172 RG because it was my initial. I find both the 152 and 172 to be a very easy plane to maneuver, but I think the 152 is easier in my opinion. Go ahead and save yourself some money.

btw, glad to hear your progress is going well. good job

I also didn't know if you did your initial in a multi complex you could add on in a single non complex. Makes sense, pretty cool.. learn something new everyday.

Slice

152, save some $.

de727ups

I've owned both. A 152 is lighter on the controls and more nimble. It's great for commercial mans. and you don't really need the extra power to learn to perfect them. By all means, go with the 152.

usmc-sgt

Thanks alot for the info guys, I knew you would come through with some good stuff. And puppyz, thank you as well. Everything is going well I started after my PSEL with 110 hours in late september and told myself by April 1st of this year I would have my CFI, CFII and MEI all while working my military 60 hour work week. I now have my PS/MEL with my Instrument which I did in a duchess, 90 hours of ME all but 15 PIC and 225 total time and on the 28th of this month I am doing my CMEL in the morning and my CSEL add on immediately following. My total cost out of pocket after reimbursement has been $8200.00 which I think is reasonable. I really couldnt have done it all without the help of the intelligent people on this site that have been willing to help and provide information to a newbie.

As for the 152 I will start flying that tomorrow, I heard the whole gauntlet from the 152 not having enough power to perform the maneuvers to the DPE will be harder on you since you are taking the easy road in the 152 instead of a 172. Both sound like bull to me and ill take the extra 40 dollars I will save per hour and pay for the checkrides with it.

Thanks again!

rickair7777

Since you are military (like me), you might weigh more than the average student...I did a lot of training in a 152, but had to transition to a 172 for checkrides for W&B purposes. IIRC, full fuel and a couple of 200 pounders doesn't work. can't remember if the 152 has partial fuel tabs, maybe so...but if not you don't want to go with less than full tanks and "guestimate" the fuel and GW on a checkride! Check the math before you decide on the 152.

usmc-sgt

Thanks rickair,

I am one of the compact ones, I am 70" tall and 162 pounds thanks the the Marine Corps pt program so I fit nice in a 152.

Even with my size, with an examiner and his "50 pounds" or actual or simulated baggage I can not take full fuel in a 152 and still be under gross. I will be training in a 152 but the only issue I see now is the SoCal marine layer has been coming in every night and we have been getting clearances to come back in the last few nights, the 152 is not IFR so it may make things more interesting. I will just see how it goes, if I find I am cancelling everynight because i can not get special back into the field I will just go to an IFR 172 because I am on too short of a timeline to cancel flights.

Thanks again guys