dbatjr
Filing Flight Plan
Hi,
First post.
Been reading all the Grumman threads I can find.
I'm a low time pilot with about 150 hours, all in C172 flying in the Northeast area. Yesterday I had a checkout ride in a 1976 Cheetah and the following is more or less a list of my first impressions.
Checking the fuel was obviously much easier on the Cheetah but grabbing a step ladder isn't really much of a chore either.
Loved the sliding canopy, but the interior did look smaller than the Cessna, especially the back seat.
In the Cessna I get in and then move the seat forward even though I'm 6'3". In the Cheetah, I had to push the seat all the way back to keep the yoke from hitting my legs. Can't imagine anyone sitting behind me in the Cheetah.
Did I mention the sliding canopy? In the summer that must be nice to leave open during taxi. I don't see rain as an issue since I'm VFR and save my flying dollars for nice days.
The castoring nose wheel was not an issue at all. Very easy to adapt to it.
Although somewhat concerned about the switch from high wing, I thought the forward visibility in the Cheetah was actually better than the Cessna. The top of the Cheetah panel was much lower and gave me a panoramic view of the ground in level flight.
Even though I could not look straight down as in the Cessna, I didn't feel anything was missing from a sightseeing standpoint. I could almost look straight down in front of the leading edge and anyone small enough to sit in the back could look down just past the trailing edge.
We did some normal maneuvers and emergency procedures and I felt it was faster to react to the controls but not too much for me to handle.
The CFI was a bit hesitant doing touch and go's because the wind was 320@17 with gusts to 24 and we were using RWY 29. After a brief discussion we decided to give it a try and would simply go around if it was too much for me.
I did 3 landings, one of which was pretty good and one I floated a bit, but I think I did ok considering the cross wind. I never felt I got behind the airplane even though it was my first time landing a Cheetah in less than ideal conditions.
It was a lot of fun to fly overall and the biggest adjustment I feel that needs to be made coming from the 172 is getting used to the different sight cues for climb, level flight and descent.
Going back tomorrow to try out a Tiger.
Tom
First post.
Been reading all the Grumman threads I can find.
I'm a low time pilot with about 150 hours, all in C172 flying in the Northeast area. Yesterday I had a checkout ride in a 1976 Cheetah and the following is more or less a list of my first impressions.
Checking the fuel was obviously much easier on the Cheetah but grabbing a step ladder isn't really much of a chore either.
Loved the sliding canopy, but the interior did look smaller than the Cessna, especially the back seat.
In the Cessna I get in and then move the seat forward even though I'm 6'3". In the Cheetah, I had to push the seat all the way back to keep the yoke from hitting my legs. Can't imagine anyone sitting behind me in the Cheetah.
Did I mention the sliding canopy? In the summer that must be nice to leave open during taxi. I don't see rain as an issue since I'm VFR and save my flying dollars for nice days.
The castoring nose wheel was not an issue at all. Very easy to adapt to it.
Although somewhat concerned about the switch from high wing, I thought the forward visibility in the Cheetah was actually better than the Cessna. The top of the Cheetah panel was much lower and gave me a panoramic view of the ground in level flight.
Even though I could not look straight down as in the Cessna, I didn't feel anything was missing from a sightseeing standpoint. I could almost look straight down in front of the leading edge and anyone small enough to sit in the back could look down just past the trailing edge.
We did some normal maneuvers and emergency procedures and I felt it was faster to react to the controls but not too much for me to handle.
The CFI was a bit hesitant doing touch and go's because the wind was 320@17 with gusts to 24 and we were using RWY 29. After a brief discussion we decided to give it a try and would simply go around if it was too much for me.
I did 3 landings, one of which was pretty good and one I floated a bit, but I think I did ok considering the cross wind. I never felt I got behind the airplane even though it was my first time landing a Cheetah in less than ideal conditions.
It was a lot of fun to fly overall and the biggest adjustment I feel that needs to be made coming from the 172 is getting used to the different sight cues for climb, level flight and descent.
Going back tomorrow to try out a Tiger.
Tom
