Converting to a C172. Any Tips….

Also bear in mind the fact that newer 172’s have a full flap setting of 30 degrees as opposed to the 40 of the older versions. I think the change came when they restarted production in the 90’s.

DME, above comments cover typical 172 traits, also ask the instructor to cover a full flap go-around at AUW, especially in the 40 degree flap models. As others have covered you are probably looking at 2-3 flights depending on whats covered each time, assuming average ability/experience/progression.

scrooge

They don’t bite. It is probably one of the easiest aerial vehicle available. Only thing to watch is the speed on final. Cross the threshold at no more than 60 kts with flap 30/40, flare, and it will land all by it self. With the speed higher than that, it will float for ever, and if forced down, will land on the nosewheel. In some cases the nosewheel will give way during such abuse with rather embarrasing resaults 😮

Sorry to come late to this.

I trained on the PA38. Later did a conversion to the 172 in Australia.

It took two hours including a cross country nav test and eight landings in a howling crosswind on an offshore island in order to get me my CASA certificate (Australian licence to fly with a CAA licence)

I don’t actually remeber much being said about the actual conversion. The yoke and rudder do pretty much what they do on the Traumahawk, just not as crisply.

Main difference I recall was trying to find the several hundred fuel drains, not being able to get the cowling off for a really good blimp at the motor, and balancing on a ladder to check the fuel levels.

Relax, they don’t bite.

Moggy

If you are good, you could probably do it in an hour. However, most people want to get out of you as much money as possible, so they will tell you five and charge you five.

Cynical? Moi?

The last instructor would. Not this one, he’s decent!

DME

Any idea how long it’ll take to convert?

If you are good, you could probably do it in an hour. However, most people want to get out of you as much money as possible, so they will tell you five and charge you five.

Cynical? Moi?

I have only flown Cessna’s for the past year, after a lot of PA28s. I find it a very straightforward aircraft which has a tendency to float on touchdown. As Steve mentioned: be careful when carrying 3 pax. When I flew a fully laden Ce172 this past summer the climb performance didn’t impress me! (It also failed to impress a couple of geese which were outclimbing me 😉 ). Be sure to try out the glide performance with an instructor next to you, I found that to be better than the average PA28, but remember that that is a feature that you DO NOT want to use regularly!!

Just be careful with the weight and balance. It’s a two passenger airplane with four seats.

Cheers MH,

Any idea how long it’ll take to convert?

Circuits (with and without passengers), Straight & Level and W&B. Can anyone think of anything else?

DME

Slow flight and stalls. You’ll probably be done way under five hours. I fly 172’s, newer ones, as a student. The comment about weight is right on, all full of gas, and a 250lb passenger, you’re full.

Cheers MH,

Any idea how long it’ll take to convert?

Circuits (with and without passengers), Straight & Level and W&B. Can anyone think of anything else?

DME

Either 150 or 160 horse depending on the pistons.

Compared to the Terrahawk you are going to have more inertia and there is not a surplus of power with 150hp. Get the speeds right and you’ll be OK. If you are intending to take passengers check out the w&b and make sure you know what your limits are. I have seen someone have to dump a passenger in order to get out of a strip he had flown into in a 145hp 172!

The bigger engine 172s, like the Hawk XP that has 200hp, are superb aeroplanes for touring. You’ll never win an aerobatic prize with one but that is not what they were designed for. Alan House has an XP and I flew that back from Belgium once. He ferried it over the Atlantic! It is a great aeroplane.

Have fun.

MH

DME: what have you flown so far?

I’ve been flying the Tomahawk thus far.

I don’t know which type of engine it has, I’ll check it out. It’s a LYCOMING O-320-H2AD, any good?

DME

Depends on what engine it has. Small engine 172s can be underpowered. They can be quite heavy on the controls. Don’t try to side slip with full flap.

it is just a heavy 150.

get the speeds right and relax. then listen very closely to your destructor.

Nice straightforward aircraft to fly. Just watch for the fact that they can tend to float a bit.

DME: what have you flown so far?

I started on a 172 so had no need to convert. So far it’s been fairly docile, the only difference I found between the aircraft I learnt on and the one I fly now is the difference in performance and rudder input needed between with the 180hp engine.