High to Low, or Low to High?

Which way did you transition between training and regular flying?

  • High wing to low wing

    Votes: 31 47.0%

  • Low wing to high wing

    Votes: 1 1.5%

  • I didn't have a wing placement crisis

    Votes: 32 48.5%

  • I couldn't decide so I went biplane

    Votes: 2 3.0%
  • Total voters
    66
AV8R_87

AV8R_87

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Cold weather boredom, so at one of our hangar flying sessions this topic popped up.
For those of you who trained on one kind of wing placement, and then switched to fly mostly the other kind, which way did you go? Directed more at the recreational GA flying, not commercial/airline flying where the fleet dictates what you fly.
 
I trained in a C152, and within a month of earning my ticket, bought half interest in a Piper Warrior. I still have the Warrior and now own it outright. The transition was a non-event. I hired my CFI to check me out in the low-wing and I flew it better than he :).
 
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"High to low, look out below" (at the fuel selector)

But other than that, I'll fly whatever's in front of me.
 
Despite my devotion to biplanes, I learned in C-150s. When I moved to an area where the only available rentals were low wing Cherokees, I found them sluggish and boring by contrast (though certainly not all low wings are sluggish and boring. e.g. P-51, RVs, etc.). But that's just my personal taste, and I'm well aware I'm part of the lunatic fringe. :rolleyes1:
 
Domenick said:
I trained in a C150, and within a month of earning my ticket, bought half interest in a Piper Warrior. I still have the Warrior and now own it outright. The transition was a non-event. I hired my CFI to check me out in the low-wing and I flew it better than he :).
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I also learned in high wings then later transitioned to low wings. As a CFI training in both, the biggest issue during transition I've seen is ground handling. Usually takes a little bit for pilots to adjust to how Cessnas steer different than Pipers.
 
Last week I flew a high wing for the first time ever (of course with a CFI). No issues with ground handling, takeoff, but totally botched the landing. Started porpoising, on the second bounce pushed the throttle to go around, the CFI took over and saved the landing. Flew several laps around the pattern yesterday, still having issues with the landing. I either float too long, balloon or bounce the front wheel. Might sound like an airspeed issue, but im only about 5MPH above the published speed. On the last landing a good amount of back trim helped a bit. Seems like I'm just starting over.
 
AV8R_87 said:
For those of you who trained on one kind of wing placement, and then switched to fly mostly the other kind, which way did you go?
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Went from high to low because that's what creates a tailwind.
 
My CFI had me primarily learning in the C-172, but a few hours after my first solo, she added time in the pa-28-161. When I passed my private checkride, I had a smidge over 10 hours in the piper. I did most of my instrument training in a cherokee 140, but also had some time in a 180hp C-172.
 
Trained in 152s. Later rented mostly 172s but got checked out in an Archer and a Tobago. Then built my RV-10. Up until recently I didn’t give a crap about wing placement— I simply didn’t care one or the other. Now my wife and I have started developing hip issues that makes entry and exit a prominent consideration. As a result I really want to get back into some sort of high wing.
 
Voted for the lack of crisis.

I trained exclusively in a low wing (PA28). Later got checked out in a 172 and rented both high and low.

I've owned a high wing, some low wings and a biplane. Flown a bunch of mid-wings. The silly debate never mattered much to me.
 
My initial training was in a C-150, transition to C-172, then to BE-19, BE-21, LA-4. No issues.
I regularly switch between high and low wing, never an issue. C-182T, PA-28R, PA-25, L-19F, ASK-21 (mid-wing), L-23 (high wing), ASW-19 (mid-wing), SGS 2-33B (high), SGS 1-26E (mid), SGS 1-35 (mid), L-33 (mid), SGS 1-34 (mid) are in my current active list of aircraft. Wing placement has never been an issue. Any reason it should be?
 
I’ve got 340 hours in high wings (all of my private training plus much post certification) and 79 hours in low wings. The only issue I ever had was looking the wrong way to clear a turn.
 
High to high. But, willing to accept the gift of any complete aircraft regardless of wing placement (even those with aft or no sweep).
 
AZEL said:
Midwing ... Only $795,000 ... Multi-Rating, fuel, and oil for two R-2800's extra.
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A few less cylinders, oil and fuel burn:
1280px-Piper_pa-60-600_aerostar_n70vb_arp.jpg
 
I started J-3 and then changed to PA-28's. The wing location change wasn't much of a difference. What I miss is partly is not being able to fly around in the summer with the door and window open, and partly that a PA-28 slips poorly in comparison. I'll admit that having heat, and a starter, make the PA-28 seem pretty fancy in comparison.
 
High to high.

After thinking about the hassle of loading my bicycles in, I'm sticking with high.

Also, I don't really have a choice. I trained in one, I rented one, and when I got the chance to buy a plane that I already knew at a fair price, it was also a high wing (C150).
 
Ashara Keliyn said:
Last week I flew a high wing for the first time ever (of course with a CFI). No issues with ground handling, takeoff, but totally botched the landing. Started porpoising, on the second bounce pushed the throttle to go around, the CFI took over and saved the landing. Flew several laps around the pattern yesterday, still having issues with the landing. I either float too long, balloon or bounce the front wheel. Might sound like an airspeed issue, but im only about 5MPH above the published speed. On the last landing a good amount of back trim helped a bit. Seems like I'm just starting over.
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The published approach speed is for Max Gross Weight. Try the published speed or even slightly below.
My Warrior's approach speed is 62 kts. When solo, I'll go as low as crossing the threshold at 55 kts.
Slow speed practice will yield confidence in your's and the plane's slow flight performance.
 
Domenick said:
The published approach speed is for Max Gross Weight. Try the published speed or even slightly below.
My Warrior's approach speed is 62 kts. When solo, I'll go as low as crossing the threshold at 55 kts.
Slow speed practice will yield confidence in your's and the plane's slow flight performance.
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Yes - let me echo @Domenick here - if you're coming at published (Max Gross) speed plus 5 knots, that's way too fast for any light airplane. Of course you float.

Your landing problems aren't a function of the wing position, they're a function of the different sight picture (and the excess speed). Every new airplane takes some learning on the proper sight picture.
 
I started with high wing trainers, but flew both high and low wing planes while I was renting. The first plane I owned was a low wing Grumman AA-5A. The second plane I owned was a biplane - a Pitts S2A. The 3rd and 4th planes I've owned have been high wings. With my current interest in backcountry flying and airplane camping, I'll stick with my high-winged Maule for now. If my interests and mission change, I'll shop for the best plane suited to that change. Neither high or low wing is superior overall, but each has advantages for specific missions.
Morning-Coffee.jpeg
 
Flyhound said:
I started with high wing trainers, but flew both high and low wing planes while I was renting. The first plane I owned was a low wing Grumman AA-5A. The second plane I owned was a biplane - a Pitts S2A. The 3rd and 4th planes I've owned have been high wings. With my current interest in backcountry flying and airplane camping, I'll stick with my high-winged Maule for now. If my interests and mission change, I'll shop for the best plane suited to that change. Neither high or low wing is superior overall, but each has advantages for specific missions.
View attachment 149760
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This is POA! Don’t come in here with your reasonable discussions!
 
I switch back and forth between high and low wings.
Generally, I prefer flying in the shade, and many of the high wings I fly are taildraggers.
 
I trained on a Citabria and flew that for 250 hours. Then switched to a Grumman AA5, then Navion. Now fly a Bonanza. I like the entry of high wing but prefer the sight picture of low wing.
 
i've flown both the whole time.
first 3 or 4 lessons c172, next 5 or 6 diamond, then piper 6, archer, c172 finally got the ppl in a diamond da20.
 
High wing, low wing, low wing, high wing, high wing, high wing.

The visibility was way better in the low wings I owned. But getting up on the wing and getting into a low wing is just kind of awful any way you cut it. But I’d still own one in certain circumstances. For me, for now, they’d hit too many bushes anyway so it’s a no go.
 
Went from high to low and moved the small wheel from front to back ... ;)
 
Soloed in a Cherokee 140, passed my check ride in a Citabria, had a fair amount of Champ and C-150 time, but now own an Ercoupe. No crisis.
 
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