Types of Private Planes
- Cessna is one of the most in-demand planes with the aviation community.private plane on a strormy sky image by Xavier MARCHANT from Fotolia.com
Purchasing an airplane can be an exciting proposition, especially for the first-time buyer. Even experienced pilots need a wealth of knowledge to understand the different makes and models for an informed purchase decision. Important factors have to be considered, like mileage to be traveled, passenger capacity, flight frequency, weather and topography. Then again, some people just want to know what types of planes have become popular with the private pilot. - The Cessna corporation has an entire line of high-wing series of aircraft in the 150-152, 172,177, 182, and the 206 models. The higher the rating number the larger the plane and engine size, along with the cabin dimensions and seating accommodations. The Cessna 150 has long been the chosen leader in the pilot training department and a choice for first-time or experienced pilots, being easy to handle and forgiving when encountering difficult maneuvers. The overhead wing design allows for maximum viewing underneath the aircraft, which makes it popular with charter and tourist enterprises. The Cessna 150 has fixed landing gear, two seats, and typically has the 100 or 110 horsepower Lycoming engine.
- Under-wing mono planes afford good overhead visibility.plane image by martini from Fotolia.com
The Cherokee 140 in the Piper Cherokee (the smallest version) series has been designed for the trainee and first-time pilot in mind, yet many seasoned pilots still have their original models. The Cherokee 140 has an all-metal fuselage construction with a low fixed wing design, which helps with overhead visibility. The landing gear retracts up into the wings, cutting down on wind drag. The plane has a full avionics package and comes standard with either 150 or 160 horsepower engines. The two-seat configuration makes it an ideal trainer, as it hosts double controls. - The Piper Cub was built with no nonsense in mind, having only the most basic components and design necessary for normal and sometimes advanced flight. It has the low monoplane wing design. Its light body weight in the air currents makes it noticeable as a moving object, rather than a sleek piece of metal carving its way through the air. It has a rather high nose angle upon landing, making visibility a little difficult, but it lands predictably with a light touch. Instructors have said that it behaves slowly and predictably, giving first-time pilots plenty of time to react to difficult control situations. With controls that are a bit sluggish, the pilot can actually feel input responses more so than with other, heavier planes. Its two-seat design can be cramped for large occupants. The Piper Cub has a long history of training Air Force pilots and has been used in agricultural applications like crop dusting.
- Some of our best planes today were military trainers.Planes in the airport image by Elzbieta Sekowska from Fotolia.com
The Aeronca Champ has a boxy looking fuselage with an overhead wing and fixed landing gear. The engine has been available in 65, 80 and 90 horsepower versions through the years. Although bulkier than the Piper Cub, the Champ has a lowered nose and raised pilot seat for better visibility, both for straight flight and landing. Although the cabin has been arranged for in-line seats, the height and side clearance have a proportionately larger area than all other planes of its size and configuration. Instrument panel gauges sit near the pilot's left hip for easy reading, even from the back seat. The Original designer of the Champ, Raymond Hermes, set out to best all the features found in the Piper Cub, and it was decided that he had done so, judging from the reaction that came from both instructors and the Federal Aviation Administration.
