Hello, I am trying to decide between two different flight schools to get my PPL. Each one uses different aircraft, the Cessna 172 and the Diamond DA-20. I have flown on both. The Diamond has a stick positioned between the legs. I am leaning towards the Diamond because of its wonderful bubble canopy and handling, but it seems that most pilots dislike sticks. I want to build good habits and become a capable pilot. Am I shortchanging myself if I learn to fly with a stick, and will I be able to hop in an aircraft with a yoke with no problem? Thanks for your time.

I instruct in both. Push them forward, the cows get bigger. Pull them back and the cows get smaller. Seriously, most people are way too concerned with this difference.

The Katana is a little less forgiving when it comes to airspeed. It's very slippery and you have to plan descents and pattern work a little more. This is one of the main reasons I like flying it more.

It will take a little time to go between the two, but just an hour or so. I would go for the Diamond, easier to remember to keep one hand on controls and the other on the throttle, flaps, and whatever else. I have had students in Cessnas point out that a stick would be a lot easier, and I couldn't really argue. Other than that, they are really the same, just different application of the same thing. Like Pip says, Push them forward, the cows get bigger. Pull them back and the cows get smaller. Either way. No real difference.

There are many other more important considerations for choosing a school. I assume you are going to continue beyond the PPL for commercial training? If so the cost and effeciency of the school is paramount.

If you are getting the PPL only for recreational purposes, then you should try to figure out what type of aircraft you will likely rent/own after you get your license and try to learn on something similar.

They don't call it a joystick for nothing.

I think it was named for a french dude named "Joyce"...

"Joyce Stick" ends up sounding like "joystick".

And I only knew that because it was in the AOPA mag last month

Yes, I do plan on going on to get my instrument and multi ratings and eventually my commericial certificate. I'm aware most of the larger airplanes use yokes. I looked around for a while on different boards that discussed it, and I came away with a "sticks are dumbed-down yokes" sort of impression.

Right now I'm 20 years old, two years of college completed, and two more to go. I'm passionate about flying, and I believe I have found my life's purpose. I would like to gain flying experience in the USAF after college is finished, but a recruiter told me that already having a PPL and ratings will make me a much more attractive candidate. I would wait to finish college before shelling out the money to pay for training to see if I could join the USAF, but I don't think I could wait that long to start flying.

KATANA!!

Really, having flown both, I do like the DA20 over the 172. It's fast, handles great, and I love the stick. The throttle is a heck of a lot easier than the Cessna and trimming is nothing more than clicking a button. I love it! I do think that the Cessna is easier to taxi though (the DA20 takes a lot of practice) and is a smoother ride in rough weather.

My FBO has both, but it's generally the DA20 that's used in flight training.

My thoughts exactly. I had a hard time keeping it straight while taxiing, my instructor said it was because the nose wheel is not connected to the rudder pedals. The Cessna's throttle reminded me of a lawn mower. The DA20 is an absolute blast to fly.

I've flown them both and instructed in them both. Fly the cheaper plane. Log more hours. Get done sooner. You can always checkout in any plane and build time in any plane. Comfort is an issue too. I told anyone over 5'8" and/or 180lbs to fly the 172. Stick or yoke? Doesn't matter- unless you fly an airbus (I fly Boeing).