Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

5 Answers

Student Transition from high wing to low wing

Asked by: 5195 views Flight Instructor, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Hello, I'm a pre-solo student with well over 30 hours logged. 3rd instructor and 3 different airplanes. Last week I passed the FAA written, and have received my medical but had to take two months away from flight lessons. I'm chomping at the bit to get back  and fly again. I get along good with my instructor, and have been doing well in a his 150, but I struggle some with cross wind landings, rounding out etc., so no "solo" as of yet. As of late his 150 is no longer available for training, and when I start lessons again  it will now be in a Piper "Archer" I believe.  What the.......??? A low wing? Is it difficult to transition into yet "another" airplane such as this low-wing model? So far I've been in a 172, 162 and the 150, each for roughly 10 or so hours. Each time I change, it seems to set me way back again. Should I go find a 172 or another 150 to continue in? Once again, I really appreciate the feedback, and your expertise. Opinions anyone?

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

5 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Jan 17, 2016

    High wing or low wing should not be a major factor, but you will have to learn the systems of the new aircraft and any operating differences. Transitioning to a new aircraft make and model while training is going to cause some amount of regression until you become familiar and comfortable with the new aircraft. Laying off for several months will do the same. I would suggest that you find an airplane that is in good condition, reasonably priced and will be available for the balance of your training. Then stick with it.

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. Skyfox on Jan 21, 2016

    When I first flew a low wing after years of training in and renting high wings, I found there to be very little transitional difference and it was easy as could be. I did go up with an instructor just for some added assurance with a check-out (a Cherokee, and it wasn’t a rental aircraft). The two major things you’ll notice is greater ground effect, and the change of where your view is blocked by the wings. Go for it without hesitation. The Archer is a beautiful plane to fly. Your much bigger difficulty will be getting rusty from a few months away from flying. Hit those books and make a flying appointment!

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  3. Brian on Jan 21, 2016

    Short story…I agree completely with this, “I would suggest that you find an airplane that is in good condition, reasonably priced and will be available for the balance of your training. Then stick with it.”

    Slightly longer story…every airplane, wing position aside, is different.

    Let’s consider pitch attitudes on final compared to the 172… The archer and arrow have a much higher pitch attitude on final. The 150/152 are similar. Citabrias are much lower (or look it due to the windscreen layout.) Bonanza’s and cirrus are similar assuming you can get past the different conal shape of the cowling. Mooney’s fly a flatter approach.

    Control feel: All compared to the 172…the 150/152 has a lighter and quicker feel. The archer, cherokee and arrow have a heavier and tighter feel. Bonanza’s a heavier feel. Cirrus a lighter but snappier feel. Similarly for the cubs. Mooney’s have a combo of a bonanza and cirrus feel.

    Point is they are all slightly different and I only listed a few aircraft variations. If you change airplanes the pictures and feel will all change for every phase of flight at least slightly. This is not an issue (if it’s slight) for a pilot who is comfortable with their experience. For a new pilot just learning the ropes it can be a detrimental issue. It’s hard enough to learn the feel and attitudes in one airplane, but to change that every 10 hours? Eek!!!

    Find one you like, one that will be available till you finish your training, and stick with it. Changing planes is fun, but learn to fly just one before yous start experimenting.

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  4. Brian on Jan 21, 2016

    Short story…I agree completely with this, \”I would suggest that you find an airplane that is in good condition, reasonably priced and will be available for the balance of your training. Then stick with it.\”

    Slightly longer story…every airplane, wing position aside, is different.

    Let\’s consider pitch attitudes on final compared to the 172… The archer and arrow have a much higher pitch attitude on final. The 150/152 are similar. Citabrias are much lower (or look it due to the windscreen layout.) Bonanza\’s and cirrus are similar assuming you can get past the different conal shape of the cowling. Mooney\’s fly a flatter approach.

    Control feel: All compared to the 172…the 150/152 has a lighter and quicker feel. The archer, cherokee and arrow have a heavier and tighter feel. Bonanza\’s a heavier feel. Cirrus a lighter but snappier feel. Similarly for the cubs. Mooney\’s have a combo of a bonanza and cirrus feel.

    Point is they are all slightly different and I only listed a few aircraft variations. If you change airplanes the pictures and feel will all change for every phase of flight at least slightly. This is not an issue (if it\’s slight) for a pilot who is comfortable with their experience. For a new pilot just learning the ropes it can be a detrimental issue. It\’s hard enough to learn the feel and attitudes in one airplane, but to change that every 10 hours? Eek!!!

    Find one you like, one that will be available till you finish your training, and stick with it. Changing planes is fun, but learn to fly just one before yous start experimenting.

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  5. Wheels Wings n Strings on Nov 10, 2016

    Well Gentlemen, It’s done. I finally received my private certificate. I found an instructor with a 150 and wasted yet another 12 hours. Never got any real feedback other than ” You’re real close to solo”. I was frustrated and about to call it a day on my aviation goal. Then I went back to the previous instructor, asked him for advice, and he took me back and put me in a pa 28. He said he would give me 5 hours free and if I didn’t solo in that time, we would have a ” come to Jesus ” meeting. I flew with him for an hour and a half, shot some landings he asked me to stop alongside the runway and said ” you’ve got this”!
    He got out and smiled, gave me a big thumbs up and the rest is history. 19 hrs later I’m a private pilot.
    My advice for students is in tune with the rest of you:
    Find an instructor you like that enjoys flying and teaching, not just a young guy there to build hours to be a cool Jet Pilot.
    Learn the airplane. Fly it and don’t let it fly you.
    Do maneuvers and practice landings to build skills and confidence.
    And Lastly, if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Go around!
    This is a great site!

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.