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Perhaps I oversimplified my statement. The 150 is very easy to fly, it is less easy to fly well.

At the time I last flew a 172, I was still a student and I took most of my training in a 152 that, for some reason, I ALWAYS had difficulty landing. It felt like the 172 almost landed itself.

I find my buddy's 185 extremely easy to land, despite a higher workload (manual flaps, constant speed prop, high sensitivity to trim), at least, until the tailwheel hits the pavement.

Perversely, despite having had lots of difficulty making nice landings in that 152 I trained in, Juliet is a real sweetheart to land. But it still requires more work than landing a heavier (thus, more stable) airplane.

Then again, it just may be my piloting skills ...

Reg

YEah Reg, I know what you mean.

I always had a problem on the first couple landings after going from one to the other. Going from the 172 to the 150/152, I'd flare too soon, and float or porpoise to a touchdown. Going from the 150/152 to the 172, I'd plant it firmly on the runway, possibly from flaring too late! 30 minutes of T&G's always solved the problem. In calm air, I don't find much difference in the two, once I'm used to them again. It's when there's a little wind or turbulence that I can tell how much heavier the 172 is, or how much more responsive the 150/152 is! Different airplanes require different techniques is all I see in the comparison.

For some reason when I fly older 172s I land normally. You know, a firm one in there every once and a while... but the newer 172S and R models... I have yet to do anything but a greaser. It might be the bigger motor up front, I don't know!

But 150s... I love them to death, but they are a PITA to fly spot on. Not that I CAN'T but they sure need a lot more work!

It's wild.

After flyin' a 172 or virtually anything else, I get in Mary Lou and it's a treat to be able to move the yoke with the slightest pressure.

Of course the higher wing loading on anything bigger than ours makes a difference. Our birds feel EVERY LITTLE breath of air.

150's - 152's were designed to do a particular job, and they do it very well!

Well, today was the day. I purchased 704LF, and I must say that she is a real beauty. I took her up for an hour test flight and she flies great. I think this is the first properly rigged 150 I have ever flown, since when I take my hands off the yoke she flies straight and true.

I took my wife out to the airport tonight to get her seal of approval. On our walk down the ramp, a 2006 Turbocharged Skylane with G1000 caught her eye. She said to me, "We need that plane next." My wife sat in the seats with me, played with the controls, and kept commenting about how nice the plane is. It's amazing how nice a plane can be when it has low time and a loving series of recent owners.

Thank you all for your excellent advice!

Outstanding!

I hope you're already planning the trip to Clinton 2007, because I'm sure we all want to see her up close!

Aaaaaahhh, yes!

I do love a happy ending!

Tim.

Thanks for the pictures, and thanks for taking us on the ride of finding and ultimately buying your plane.

Just a decent cross country flight, you had many obstacles to overcome. Good job, and congratulations both on the plane and on your wife. Sounds like you both will get to enjoy your new bird.

Hopefully we'll see you at Clinton next year.

GOOD FOR YOU TIM!!!!!!

Congratulations!!! Many happy years of safe, enjoyable flying!!!

Tim:

That's a nice looking airplane. It's even better when the wife likes it!! It will give you some good times and memories, I'm sure.

Don