Low wing plane with light rudder pedels

[DesertNomad]

My wife is looking for a plane that fits her better than our Dakota or the 152 she is learning to fly in. She is 5'1" and the rudder pedal pressure to taxi our Dakota is simply too heavy to be comfortable. The 152's high wing makes fueling and checking fuel difficult because the built-in step is simply too high.

Is there a low wing plane that has lighter rudder pressure required - maybe a Diamond (I've only flown a DA40 once and don't really recall how the rudders felt)?

 

[murphey]

My wife is looking for a plane that fits her better than our Dakota or the 152 she is learning to fly in. She is 5'1" and the rudder pedal pressure to taxi our Dakota is simply too heavy to be comfortable. The 152's high wing makes fueling and checking fuel difficult because the built-in step is simply too high.

Is there a low wing plane that has lighter rudder pressure required - maybe a Diamond (I've only flown a DA40 once and don't really recall how the rudders felt)?

There are some low-wing light sport - the CZAW LSA (marketed in the US for a while as the Piper Sport). There are others, but this is the only low-wing LSA I've flown. Fun airplane, too. The DA-20 is low wing but not a 4 seater. A more economical approach might be an Ercoupe, LSA or not.

 

[Ravioli]

As you may be aware, 152's have springs and cables to the nose wheel. Pipers are commonly direct rods to the nose wheel. Diamonds, Grumman, and Cirrus are fully castering nose wheels that steer on the ground with differential braking.

The location of the wing means nothing in "feel", it's how the steering is being done mechanically.

 

[luvflyin]

My wife is looking for a plane that fits her better than our Dakota or the 152 she is learning to fly in. She is 5'1" and the rudder pedal pressure to taxi our Dakota is simply too heavy to be comfortable. The 152's high wing makes fueling and checking fuel difficult because the built-in step is simply too high.

Is there a low wing plane that has lighter rudder pressure required - maybe a Diamond (I've only flown a DA40 once and don't really recall how the rudders felt)?

How about no rudder pressure required to taxi other than to apply brake. AA5

 

[RoscoeT]

Grumman Tiger and Vans RV trikes. Castering nosegear- zero taxi rudder pressure.

 

[wrbix]

Grumman’s come immediately to mind
If you let her fly one, better plan on buying her one.

 

[Flying_Nun]

Ercoupe

"Lacking rudder pedals, the Ercoupe was flown using only the control wheel. A two-control system linked the rudder and aileron systems, which controlled yaw and roll, with the steerable nosewheel. The control wheel controlled the pitch and the steering of the aircraft, both on the ground and in the air..."

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Busflyer]

As you may be aware, 152's have springs and cables to the nose wheel. Pipers are commonly direct rods to the nose wheel. Diamonds, Grumman, and Cirrus are fully castering nose wheels that steer on the ground with differential braking.

The location of the wing means nothing in "feel", it's how the steering is being done mechanically.

He was referring to the hassle of fueling a high wing, not the taxiing characteristics

 

[Cervieres]

Another vote for Diamond or Cirrus. I used to hate taxiing my previous DA40 and SR22 until I went back to flying a Cessna and now I miss them. Minimal pedal force required and you can really turn on a dime.

 

[exncsurfer]

Grumman Tiger and Vans RV trikes. Castering nosegear- zero taxi rudder pressure.

I don't know, I went from the spring loaded Cessnas and rod Piper's to the free castering 162 and the rudder pressure to taxi is significantly increased. It was kicking my butt the first couple flights. Maybe it's just a162 thing?

 

[exncsurfer]

How about a Tomahawk? Does that have nose wheel steering linkage?

 

[WDD]

RV 12

 

[eman1200]

don’t skip leg day!

 

[Aviator305]

From one Dakota pilot to another, a vote against the Diamond. The fit and finish on the one I flew left much to be desired. It felt like I was flying a toy compared to the Piper which is not known for fit and finish like a Beechcraft.

 

[PaulS]

I'm thinking she may need to relax, don't tense up on the pedals by keeping pressure on them when they are neutral thereby tiring herself out (I've btdt when I started flying) , don't press on them unless moving, then just push the one you need, use differential braking. Also at 5 feet 1, she may be reaching to get to the pedals, out of her power zone. Are they really that hard to push?

 

[jd21476]

Have you tried to inflate the tires. My Comanche gets real heavy in the front when the tires get even a little low

 

[Tarheelpilot]

Grumman, DA20, skycrasher or ct design

If a conventional gear is acceptable then a champ would be fun.

 

[DesertNomad]

As you may be aware, 152's have springs and cables to the nose wheel. Pipers are commonly direct rods to the nose wheel. Diamonds, Grumman, and Cirrus are fully castering nose wheels that steer on the ground with differential braking.

The location of the wing means nothing in "feel", it's how the steering is being done mechanically.

I am aware of that. The reason for the low wing is easier checking of the fuel and fueling. The rudder pressure is a second concern unrelated to the wing.

She has had joint problems since childhood so it is related to that. She just doesn't want to see a chiropractor after every flight.

 

[WDD]

Stick with the 152 and get a portable stool - all 182 flyers have to use one, it’s doable.

 

[mondtster]

From one Dakota pilot to another, a vote against the Diamond. The fit and finish on the one I flew left much to be desired. It felt like I was flying a toy compared to the Piper which is not known for fit and finish like a Beechcraft.

That would be unusual, was the one you flew a rental or otherwise roughly handled? I've flown and maintained several diamonds, they've always been top notch in the fit and finish department as well being well thought out for maintenance.

 

[Doug Reid]

Ercoupe...no rudder pedals...steer like a car on the ground...great for a short pilot...problem solved

 

[Aviator305]

That would be unusual, was the one you flew a rental or otherwise roughly handled? I've flown and maintained several diamonds, they've always been top notch in the fit and finish department as well being well thought out for maintenance.

The only potential caveat was that it wasn’t the XLS version or whatever the premium model acronym is. It was privately owned. The broker was using it to transport me from my eventual home airport to the airport where the Dakota I would eventually buy was parked. It was a noisy ride. I remember seeing some exposed cables by the rudder pedals. My memory of it is now foggy, but I just remember the impression. Maybe one day the opportunity to present itself to fly in one again.

 

[SkyChaser]

I'm 5'2"ish, flying an Archer. Never having flown a Diamond or Dakota, I can't help there!

Is the problem only during taxi? If it's "heavy" during flight, too, you might try using cushions or blankets to get her closer to the pedals so it's less stress to work the pedals. When I first started flying, I'd end every flight with my legs so tired, they'd shake every time I used the clutch or took my heels off the car floor on the way home. It got a lot better once I was able to get a good height adjustment and I was not reaching so hard to get travel of the pedals. Full deflection is still hard for me and requires full extension and some stretching but the normal handling of the rudder is a whole lot "lighter" now, even during ground ops. So maybe something along those lines might at least help?

 

[Cervieres]

That would be unusual, was the one you flew a rental or otherwise roughly handled? I've flown and maintained several diamonds, they've always been top notch in the fit and finish department as well being well thought out for maintenance.

Same. Owned a 2012 DA40XLS for about 5 years and there was nothing deficient in terms of fit, finish, or overall quality. The only thing I can think of that ever broke was one of those plastic latches on the vent window. It was probably the most robust and least maintenance intensive aircraft I’ve flown.

 

[mondtster]

Same. Owned a 2012 DA40XLS for about 5 years and there was nothing deficient in terms of fit, finish, or overall quality. The only thing I can think of that ever broke was one of those plastic latches on the vent window. It was probably the most robust and least maintenance intensive aircraft I’ve flown.

In my opinion, the fit and finish of the Diamonds is the best in the business for new, light airplanes. One of the Diamonds I maintained and flew was an absolutely pristine 2013 DA40 XLT, which I feel was even nicer than the 2021 NG that replaced it. The diesel is nice from a pilot's perspective, we'll see how well I like it from a mechanic's perspective over the next few years.

That XLT ended up in a flight school. It pains me to think about what it looks like now.

 

[asicer]

It was a noisy ride.

The fresh air vents are a little too good. Full open, they put out a ton of air which translates to a lot of noise.

I remember seeing some exposed cables by the rudder pedals.

You remember correctly, although later years have more/better shrouds around them.

 

[dmspilot]

Diamonds have a castering nosewheel so the amount of pressure for taxi is negligible. Tecnam LSAs have a steerable nosewheel setup similar to Cessnas. That said why not just get a light and portable stepstool for the 152?

 

[Jim K]

An archer/warrior is significantly lighter wrt pedal input during taxi than a Dakota. That big six out there makes a difference. I've not tried it, but I wonder if some ballast in the rear baggage would help.

 

[JEB]

Perhaps an aircraft that has bungees connecting the rudder and aileron? That might help. I can tell you that my Bonanza with a big engine takes less left foot rudder on climb out than a 172 does. I wouldn't be able to compare to a 152, never flew one.

 

[N1120A]

Grumman Tiger - bonus of being faster than your Dakota too, on less gas.

 

[Eric Lehto]

After a couple of years in my Beech Sundowner, I taxied a PA-28. Lightest pedals in taxi I can remember since my flight training in 152's and 172's

 

[woodchucker]

Third or fourth for a Tiger. The fuel sumps are a bit of a challenge. Need to really get under the wing.

 

[wrbix]

Third or fourth for a Tiger. The fuel sumps are a bit of a challenge. Need to really get under the wing.

...for a grand total of four, two each reachable from one position. Not an issue....rather do that than climb a ladder or a strut to fuel ..I know you understand that but the OP probably doesn’t.

 

[asicer]

The 152's high wing makes fueling and checking fuel difficult because the built-in step is simply too high.

Check the fuel for her. Problem solved.

 

[woodchucker]

...for a grand total of four, two each reachable from one position. Not an issue....rather do that than climb a ladder or a strut to fuel ..I know you understand that but the OP probably doesn’t.

The inboard right wing sump in our club Tiger is recessed and angled weird. I have to literally crawl under it to get the sump positioned properly. The Cherokee is much easier to sump with the external guides.

Just wanted to mention for the OP ... low wing planes offer some potential challenges to think about. I mean, the Tiger is still my favorite for many reasons though.

 

[bflynn]

An Ercoupe is really, really light on the rudder pedals.

 

[asicer]

The inboard right wing sump in our club Tiger is recessed and angled weird. I have to literally crawl under it to get the sump positioned properly.

Some drains extend out to the sump cover, some don't. Obviously, the ones that extend out are easier to sample.

 

[wrbix]

The inboard right wing sump in our club Tiger is recessed and angled weird.

Just wanted to mention for the OP ... low wing planes offer some potential challenges to think about. I mean, the Tiger is still my favorite for many reasons though.

I’m guessing the incorrect sump valve must’ve been installed there

 

[BrianNC]

The location of the wing means nothing in "feel", it's how the steering is being done mechanically.

Somebody didn't read the whole OP.

 

[woodchucker]

I’m guessing the incorrect sump valve must’ve been installed there

I don’t know. All four are the same design. It’s just that one that is a pain.