The Airplanes

So far this year I've had the privilege of flying five different airplanes:

• Piper Archer (180 hp Cherokee) based at EKN and belonging to the Elkins Pilot's Club, Elkins, WV. I flew this airplane to OXB in late June 07. It is a very nice flying airplane with a Garmin 430 on board. I also flew it to my parents (MSS -- Massena, NY).

• Cessna 172 (140, 160, and 180 HP) belonging to an owner at FWQ, and FlightSource Flight School and Civil Air Patrol at MGW. Flight Source used to have 3 172s, but one was demolished in a x-wind landing accident by a student pilot (he's fine) and the other went down to a prop strike this fall. I flew 75885 on my IFR practical. The CAP 172 is a well-maintained, strong flying airplane with a nice 180 HP upgrade. The avionics are dated but I've flown it IFR as low as 500 AGL ceilings. It burns a steady 7 GPH and is therefore very economical to fly.

• Cessna 152 which was leased to Flight Source early in 2007 but sold back in March 07. I learned to fly in a 152 and still enjoy flying these, though rentals are near impossible to find anymore.
  

• Cessna 185 (conventional gear) belonging to Dr. Pete McConnell and based at FWQ. This is the original Bush plane with amazing short field take off and landing capability. Pete had us up and gone before any other GA plane would even think about rotation. The 185 is truly an amazing workhorse.
  

• Beech Bonanza 35 (1947, 185 HP retractable) based at FWQ and VVS belonging to Dr. John Michaels. This airplane is an original Bonanza (Serial number 90). It's a great flier single pilot and will climb at 1500 FPM all day long. Cruise speed is about 140 knots, while burning a mere 7-8 GPH (depending on temperature and leaning technique). The avionics are very outdated so this is strictly a VFR airplane (though legally IFR capable). It needs a panel upgrade and an interior spiff up to be a dream airplane. It is light, so windy days are a bit of a challenge.
  

• Beech Bonanza A36 (285 HP) based at FWQ and VVS belonging to Dr. John Michaels. This airplane is truly a dream GA aircraft. It is solid, responsive, well-equipped, and fairly economical (if you're not in a hurry can get fuel burn rates down to 8 GPH). It's a full 1000 lbs heavier than the V tail so it handles turbulence with aplomb. It stalls very predictably and is easy to handle on the backside of the power curve. All in all the best airplane I have ever flown.
  

Each airplane has its charms and vices. I didn't get a tailwheel endorsement in the 185 since the purpose of that flight was engine management and constant speed prop training towards my complex endorsement.