Airplanes I Used To Fly - Cessna

By: Eric Yaeger, SE, PPL

Cessna 152 in Flight	Cessna 172 in Air
Cessna 172 at Takeoff	Cessna 182 on Ground

I used to fly, as Pilot-in-Command, 5 different models of Cessna single-engine light airplanes--the Cessna 150, Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Cessna 172RG and Cessna 182.

I made use of the Cessna 150 for my initial pilot training. Then about 2 years after I got my Private Pilot License, I moved up to the larger 4-seat Cessna 172. Then later I used the Cessna 182. To date, most of my experience as a pilot is in the Cessna 172. (Though I have moved up to the more complex and heavy aircraft in the Piper line.)

The following photo is the cockpit of a Cessna 152. Looking at the instrument panel you should realize that even this small modern 2-seat airplane is nothing like a car.

It is nothing like a car in so many respects: Note the <... ... ...>      And the training and skill required to efficiently and safely get from Point A to Point B without getting lost or running out of fuel even when not lost or getting into trouble in bad weather or even in just plain white clouds in good weather.

During the course of a flight, scores of strategic decisions are often made. Many checks and cross-checks are made. "Time and fuel" and "speed and altitude" must be accurately managed by the pilot. During the course of a flight, many tools are used by the pilot such as handheld flight computer, performance graphs or charts, weight & balance graphs or charts, various checklists and etc.

(Some Checklists: preflight, takeoff, departure (or post-takeoff), approach (or pre-landing) and landing. -- Some Procedures: there are short runway, soft runway and high altitude procedures for both takeoff and landing; there are different procedures for starting a cold engine and an already hot engine; and other procedures.)

We pilots, so as to keep each flight efficient and safe, learn and make use of several phrases which we chant or verbalize during an applicable phase or situation of a flight. "GUMP" (abbreviated landing checklist: Gas or fuel tank switch, extend Undercarriage or landing gear, set engine Manifold Pressure to low, set Propeller pitch to high), "Speed & Altitude are like money in the bank.", "A plane can stall at any speed and attitude.", "East is least and West is best." <<(to remind to ... ... ... ... ...)>> , etc. Nearly all such phrases have been traditionally used by pilots since earlier decades of aviation.

We pilots (even for a Private Pilot license using a small 2-seat Cessna 152) need to learn a diverse knowledge set which includes physiology, psychology, navigation, aerodynamics, mechanics, electrics, meteorology, radio communications, official pilot language, FAR's (government and laws), ... ... ...

So it should be understood that these private airplanes are not casual toys. They require a marked degree of knowledge, skill, practice and discipline (a professional mindset) to safely and efficiently operate.

I,...have the right stuff.    -- E. Y.

Cessna 152 Instrument Panel. The Cessna 152 is the smallest (2 seats) and simplest of the Cessna single-engine airplanes.

Cessna 182 on Ground