Back in the 172

[azpilot]

I am a fairly new pilot with a total of 88.9 hours. I made my first flight in a Cessna 172 today after about three months off. In those last three months I have made five flights in a Piper Archer. I was really caught off guard by how much my 172 skills had diminished in just three months. I don't mean to say that I forgot how to fly, but the flare specifically just felt very off. I had thought it would be simple to go back and forth between the Cessna and Piper, but perhaps I was wrong.

On top of that I made a few boneheaded mistakes on the radio while trying to leave KCHD. After I got the radio mistakes all fixed, another airplane called the tower to let me know the baggage door had popped open. I had to taxi over to an empty spot in the run up area, shut the plane down, re-lock the baggage door, and then re-start the plane. I was pretty flustered, so I made sure to take a deep breath, get the checklist out, and double check to make sure I didn't miss anything.

In the end, it was a fun flight with my sister and her two sons over to KGEU. We had breakfast over there, no one threw up on the way home (it was a little bumpy), I didn't bust any airspace, I didn't break anything on the airpane, and I was very glad to be able to use the pilot isolate switch as my two nephews are rather energetic and 7 and 9 years old.

 

[MAKG1]

It will get easier to switch with time, but I do manage "currency" separately in several models.

 

[jordane93]

After a while, it becomes a non issue.

 

[frfly172]

If your renting ,switch back and forth between the aircraft,it will get easier.

 

[evapilotaz]

I was about to do the same and decided I don't fly enough to switch back and forth to be comfortable in both Piper and archer. I really like the additional power the archer has.

 

[azpilot]

I was about to do the same and decided I don't fly enough to switch back and forth to be comfortable in both Piper and archer. I really like the additional power the archer has.

I still haven't made up my mind. I think each FBO has advantages. I am still trying to decide whether I stick with one or the other, or just fly with both.

 

[Kritchlow]

Good luck to you.... But I would bet dollars to donuts the baggage door didn't pop open while taxiing. Carefully check all doors and latches prior to start. Trust me, this happens to the best of us at some point... It's not just you.

 

[ircphoenix]

Was running 20-30 behind one day to go on a trip. Went through my routine DETERMINED to not let "get-there-itis" affect my preflight and prep. Quite proud of myself to get the airplane done, get the weather, and taxi. Go through my complete runup and get to the hold short line..... "Holding short... request crosswind departure..." "Hey uhh... your baggage door is open."

High speed taxi and 15 minutes later... "holding short...again..."

 

[evapilotaz]

I always yank and pull on the luggage door to make sure it's shut. Older c172 the Op is flying seems to have a finicky latch

 

[denverpilot]

Good luck to you.... But I would bet dollars to donuts the baggage door didn't pop open while taxiing. Carefully check all doors and latches prior to start. Trust me, this happens to the best of us at some point... It's not just you.

Ahh hell, I'll share. Last month or a little longer ago, my pilot door popped open at 10' AGL. I missed my usual lean against it test. I told the tower I was going to remain in the pattern instead of departing and land for an open door.

Landed, full stop, and fixed it on the taxiway. Taxied back down to the end and re-ran the checklist, for round number two.

"Cabin doors and windows closed and locked" the first time through the checklist, apparently wasn't written in English that my brain would actually read that day. Haha.