A thought on yoke versus stick. I’ve bounced back and forth between a bunch of sticks and yokes. In my mind a stick is definitely way cooler. The funny part though, is that is only true when you think about it. When you fly the plane, you aren’t thinking about it and the issue truly disappears.
Another thought is that there is nothing wrong with buying your airplane to train in. Your mission plan is very likely going to morph anyway. Buy smart and be committed. You’ll get it figured out.

I'm another that will suggest the 150/152/172 series. Learn the most you can and then sell it for what you paid for it. Seems to always be a market for them.
My firstish plane was a 172 (had a 150 for a few hours) and I still have that same plane for over 32 years now. I've several other planes during this time but have always kept the 172. Flown it all over the US. They are a much more capable plane then most people think.
In those days I have to fly someplace and the winds are beyond my personal comfort level in my TW planes, I take the 172. Lot's of safety in flying a nosewheel when a guy isn't current with the TW.

There's nothing wrong with doing primary training in a taildragger, but finding an instructor may be difficult. I did my primary in a PA28-140 and later learned to fly taildraggers.

I also wouldn't worry too much about a stick vs a yoke, just get the best bird for your money regardless of which it has. I flew a Stinson with a yoke then hopped in a Decathlon and using the stick was no problem at all.

Yeah, I gotta agree with WWhunter. Get something good to learn in and rack up your first fistful of hours. Then, after you've been exposed to small airplanes, decide on what your mission is and find that airplane that suits your mission within your budget.

My opinion: Buy a 150/152 IFR if you want to knock out your instrument.
Or
I think I saw a taildragger converted 152 on the market recently.....

ZP

flyingzebra wrote:A thought on yoke versus stick. I’ve bounced back and forth between a bunch of sticks and yokes. In my mind a stick is definitely way cooler. The funny part though, is that is only true when you think about it. When you fly the plane, you aren’t thinking about it and the issue truly disappears.

Possibly humorous comment; A month ago I had almost no experience flying an airplane with a yoke and hadn't flown an airplane in 5 years. A friend who is a CFI brought his C180 to town to give me a BFR and make sure I was ready to fly my Bearhawk. As we taxied out I was consciously trying to steer with my feet but something about holding the yoke made me also try to steer with my hand. Kind of embarrassing; I was trying hard and hoping the CFI didn't notice though I'm sure he did. When taxiing back in after completing the BFR I did the same thing. I hopped in the Bearhawk 20 minutes later and had zero tendency to steer with my hand.

I certainly prefer a stick but it is no longer a determining factor.

I was raised flying sailplanes; my current recreational ride is fitted with yokes, as is my working ride. While I don't hold any religious convictions either way I do find a stick more "intuitive" in the "low & slow" realm

You guys have given me way more knowledge than I anticipated, and I am very thankful for it!

I appreciate all of the advice, and am taking it on board as you all know way more about this experience I am about to go through. I am on the same page that it doesn't necessarily matter what I get to start with, as long as it's something I can fly often and have an easy time finding a CFI to train me in it.

Now the search for a CFI!

It's harder to eat your lunch with a stick in your lap. And eating lunch is the most important part of flying.


$3.45 says AP2pilot is Zane reincarnate. Spoiler alert: you're going to buy a 170, fly it but it just won't hit the spot so you give up ownership to build your dream bearhawk. Fast forward a few years, you just can't stand not owning an airplane so you buy a pacer.

asa wrote:It's harder to eat your lunch with a stick in your lap. And eating lunch is the most important part of flying.


$3.45 says AP2pilot is Zane reincarnate. Spoiler alert: you're going to buy a 170, fly it but it just won't hit the spot so you give up ownership to build your dream bearhawk. Fast forward a few years, you just can't stand not owning an airplane so you buy a pacer.

I’ll add my 5 cents for an even tree fiddy.

Buy this Experimental Taylorcraft with an 0-320 Lycoming... You might not want a different airplane.. [emoji3]



It has yokes but with cool hand grips...



Brian


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That is one nice taylorcraft

There are a few Pacer/clippers that are basically a pacer converted with sticks instead of yokes. Sticks are cool and all, but they would be among the last of my priority list. You are just moving cables or push rods one way or another. After a few hours doesn’t really matter.


If you want to go much distance the shortwing Pipers have decent speed vs. the Cubs and are a relative bargain in the 2+2 space. Of course you trade it for STOL capabilities. Everything is a compromise in aviation.


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I hate to hop on the sticks don't matter bandwagon, but that would be the last thing on my list. I fly a mix of everything and wouldn't mind a yoke at all. Sticks make it harder to get in and out of the plane. There isn't a negative transfer going between planes if you fly a little of both. With that being said the majority of planes I've owned have all had sticks. Luck of the draw I reckon

Just jumping on here. Yeah, stick or yoke doesn't matter to me at all.

Hell, give me a four place, 1200 useful load, 500 ft STOL plane for 100K and I'd still by it if it had a side stick!

I think I can help Ya. I got my PPL in July 18 . I trained in both PA-28's and Cessna 172's . I switched to the high wing after I saw this website and others flying tailwheel to go camping .
A few weeks after getting my PPL I got my Tailwheel endorsement. That was a few months because The Great Guy I started with was killed in a crash so I had to find another tailwheel instructor.
I searched the web to figure out what type of plane I wanted. I had trained in a Citabria ( stick) but started leaning towards a Pacer or a Cessna 140 or 170.
Im low budget so the Pacer started to pull ahead in my mind
I bought a Pacer in late February and Im having a blast. I still spend most of my flying time doing laps to get my landings dialed but I have done a few short hops.
Looking forward to developing skills needed for the flying I want to do in my own plane

So....start on youtube. You want to get into a ground school course or buy the books and start studying for you FAA ground Cert
at the same time go ahead and get your Medical and your TSA background check done.( An Instructor May have to assist you on the TSA or Student Pilot Application. It will be done through IACRA ,an FAA website where you will apply for all your licenses )

Buy the Airplane Flying Handbook and start reading. ASA makes some great interactive CD's that come with their Private Pilot ground school books
Or go to Sporty's.com and start an on line electronic course.

DIVE IN

there are quite a few things you can do to get going before you even find an instructor.

And Remember HAVE FUN

This will be not what you were looking for.

The answer is...it doesn’t really matter. At all. The only thing that matters is that it is well maintained and airworthy.

There you go.

Sierrasplitter: Thanks for the useful knowledge! Lots of good info and there are things I will be able to work on in the mean time while I wait for this deployment. I have been researching and I think I will do the ground school portion online and get that knocked out before flying.

Troy: I have a feeling in a few years once this is all over and I see another post similar to mine I will have the same advice you do. There are so many planes and everyone has their favorites. For getting into this and learning, you advice for well maintained and airworthy is spot on. I'll find one and fly the heck out of it and build a Bearhawk several years down the road.

whee wrote:
I only have 1 hour of experience in a Cub, a J3. After about 5 minutes I was bored from flying so slow I could see the grass grow and in enough pain from being crammed into the front seat that I have no desire to fly in one again...ever.

Nice! That’s a great way to make friends out in the Back Country Aviation world, you know, the same guys who rooted you on and gave you tips on your homebuild Aircraft. Great way to crap on all the Cub owner guys with your opinion. Thank you, and have a great day with your new Homebuild.

AKJurnee wrote:

whee wrote:
I only have 1 hour of experience in a Cub, a J3. After about 5 minutes I was bored from flying so slow I could see the grass grow and in enough pain from being crammed into the front seat that I have no desire to fly in one again...ever.

Nice! That’s a great way to make friends out in the Back Country Aviation world, you know, the same guys who rooted you on and gave you tips on your homebuild Aircraft. Great way to crap on all the Cub owner guys with your opinion. Thank you, and have a great day with your new Homebuild.

Oh oh........ Zzz we may need you and your de-escalation skills, yikes !!!!!!

AKJurnee wrote:

whee wrote:
I only have 1 hour of experience in a Cub, a J3. After about 5 minutes I was bored from flying so slow I could see the grass grow and in enough pain from being crammed into the front seat that I have no desire to fly in one again...ever.

Nice! That’s a great way to make friends out in the Back Country Aviation world, you know, the same guys who rooted you on and gave you tips on your homebuild Aircraft. Great way to crap on all the Cub owner guys with your opinion. Thank you, and have a great day with your new Homebuild.

Your right, I should have simply suggested he try on any type he is considering and more tastefully expressed that not everyone likes the same things. I sincerely apologize.