DA40 (Analog), vs Cessna 172 or Cessna 152 analog for IFR

[Renesh Kumaresan]

I’m going to be doing IFR soon and I’ve already decided to train using analog. Price wise, Pt141 the minimum is 35 hours, so it’s about 7500$ for the 172/DA40. I know some don’t get the minimum, but I got my ppl over three years in Pt61 with 45hrs. For the 152 it’s about 6000$. I weigh 170 so weight shouldn’t be an issue. But I heard for the 250nm cross country with IFR reserves may be an issue. My instructor should be around 150. I trained in an analog 172, so should I continue in it for IFR. I’m worried that if I train to fly an IFR approach with the DA40’s stick I’ll have the wrong muscle memory. I have flown the DA40 a couple times though.
Thanks

 

[Boone]

I’m going to be doing IFR soon and I’ve already decided to train using analog. Price wise, Pt141 the minimum is 35 hours, so it’s about 7500$ for the 172/DA40. I know some don’t get the minimum, but I got my ppl over three years in Pt61 with 45hrs. For the 152 it’s about 6000$. I weigh 170 so weight shouldn’t be an issue. But I heard for the 250nm cross country with IFR reserves may be an issue. My instructor should be around 150. I trained in an analog 172, so should I continue in it for IFR. I’m worried that if I train to fly an IFR approach with the DA40’s stick I’ll have the wrong muscle memory. I have flown the DA40 a couple times though.
Thanks

I think scan and procedures are more important than muscle memory. I would choose whatever I was more comfortable with, and what’s most available. I did my IFR in a 152, it’ll work if that’s the route you want to go.

 

[MarkH]

I’m going to be doing IFR soon and I’ve already decided to train using analog. Price wise, Pt141 the minimum is 35 hours, so it’s about 7500$ for the 172/DA40. I know some don’t get the minimum, but I got my ppl over three years in Pt61 with 45hrs. For the 152 it’s about 6000$. I weigh 170 so weight shouldn’t be an issue. But I heard for the 250nm cross country with IFR reserves may be an issue. My instructor should be around 150. I trained in an analog 172, so should I continue in it for IFR. I’m worried that if I train to fly an IFR approach with the DA40’s stick I’ll have the wrong muscle memory. I have flown the DA40 a couple times though.
Thanks

Assuming your school only has 3 planes, I would go with the 152, because transitioning to the 172 if there is a scheduling issue would be simple.

If your school has multiple aircraft of the same type, I would choose based on availability. For example, if there are 2 DA40s, 4 similar 172s, and 3 152s then I would stick with the 172s to minimize the risk of scheduling or maintenance canceling or changing a lesson.

If scheduling isn't an issue, fly the cheapest.

If money isn't an issue, then I would fly the DA40, because if you buy a plane (an it is any of the 3 you listed) your insurance won't really care about time in type for a 172 or 152, but it may make things a little cheaper if you buy a DA40. But odds are, if you are training to be a professional pilot, by the time you get to a place to consider buying a DA40 (based on pilot pay), you will have enough hours that time in type won't really matter.

Short answer, only pay more if it reduces the chance of a scheduling issue canceling a lesson.