How did you lke those early Cherokees, CSA?
I too, learned in a Cherry 140., Pre 1968 model. It had those “stick it where it fits” instrument panels, instead of the Newer, “T” formations (airspeed upper left, turn/slip below the airspped, altimeter upper right, etc.) I’d go crazy if I had to fly an older one in IFR.
Piper was clever in the design of the Cherokee line, and it was easy to transition from the two seat 140’s to the 4 seat 180’s, then the arrow, etc. I ultimately bought a Seneca, which is a twin engine version of the Cherokee Six.
I didn’t have that much to compare it with. I lacked enough flying experience to be a good judge. I had experience as a passenger in a Cessna Skylane (?) 182 six cylinder (like a Cadillac), and the Tri-Pacer (which was used at our airport prior to the new Cherokee).
I flew with a woman flight instructor once and she had me land a Tri-pacer on a short gravel runway, at a fairly big controlled airport, one that was only used during strong north-south winds ((9-18, I believe). I landed okay and didn’t need the instructor’s help.It seemed fine, too.
I do remember that it was considered a very forgiving airplane and knew of no bad habits. I had to go out over a practice area, solo, and practice power on and power off stalls. They were easy because the aircraft was so “polite” and safe. I remember being able to really slow the craft down, especially with a notch or two of flaps applied.
Speaking of safety, those main wheels spread 10.0’ apart made landings easy, too. That low 30.0’ wing seemed to make for a cushion of air underneath during a flare on landing. It had a comfortable cabin and controls were easy to use. And two large fuel tanks that one could look right into (low wing) made pre-flights nice. I believe that Cherokee model had to be a very safe machine and a good place to sit during flight instruction, dual or solo.
I haven’t flown for a while, now, but I hear we’ve come a long way since direction gyros set to magnetic compass, barometric altimeters, and omni towers, eh? Icy runways were fun. CSA
Fuel efficiency. As jet-A got more expensive and margins got thinner after deregulation, airlines prioritized saving gas over punching holes in the sky.
That said I’m surprised Airbus hasn’t built an SST yet. No one would want it, but that didn’t stop 'em with the A380 did it?
