One Nice Aircraft - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mistress · #1 02-01-2008, 03:19 PM

I'll take the Meridian..
http://www.newpiper.com/aircraft/meridian/default.asp

Dee8go · #2 02-01-2008, 03:22 PM

Another slow afternoon . . . ?

Mistress · #3 02-01-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Another slow afternoon . . . ?

yes, but don't tell my boss i have enough projects to work on.

WVOtoGO · #4 02-01-2008, 03:35 PM

Nice is right. Reasonable price for what you get too.

Let us know when you’re ready.

We’d rather see you in a PC-12 though.

Dee8go · #5 02-01-2008, 03:39 PM

What are the advantages of a high wing vs a low wing plane? I don't fly, but I do try to always take the high ROAD . . .

Mistress · #6 02-01-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

Nice is right. Reasonable price for what you get too.

Let us know when you’re ready.

We’d rather see you in a PC-12 though.

I am curious about flying a low wing plane. What do you think is better?

kpb · #7 02-01-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

What are the advantages of a high wing vs a low wing plane? I don't fly, but I do try to always take the high ROAD . . .

Once you are in the air it is mostly a matter of visibility -- looking down from a high-wing is more revealing than trying to see around a wing mounted low. However, looking for traffic at or higher than your altitude is enhanced in a low-wing. High-wings can be a little claustrophobic as you are constantly craning your neck to look around.

I have only flown a low-wing once but I have read and been told that some of the low-wings will actually "cushion" the landing flare a bit because of ground effect being more pronounced with a wing lower to the terrain. This may also cause an unexpected floating down the runway when the pilot is trying to land.

I'm looking at buying a piece of a little low-wing (Beech Musketeer) so I may have some hands-on observations re: high vs. low...

Mistress · #8 02-01-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpb

Once you are in the air it is mostly a matter of visibility -- looking down from a high-wing is more revealing than trying to see around a wing mounted low. However, looking for traffic at or higher than your altitude is enhanced in a low-wing. High-wings can be a little claustrophobic as you are constantly craning your neck to look around.

I have only flown a low-wing once but I have read and been told that some of the low-wings will actually "cushion" the landing flare a bit because of ground effect being more pronounced with a wing lower to the terrain. This may also cause an unexpected floating down the runway when the pilot is trying to land.

I'm looking at buying a piece of a little low-wing (Beech Musketeer) so I may have some hands-on observations re: high vs. low...

Thanks, please keep us posted. I am learning to fly in a high wing and was curious.

Dee8go · #9 02-01-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpb

. . . I'm looking at buying a piece of a little low-wing (Beech Musketeer) so I may have some hands-on observations re: high vs. low...

I have a good friend with a tri-motor plane. I think his is a Beech Three Musketeer or something like that . . . .

I'm sorry. It's Fri-dee and I'm in a silly mood. Sillier than normal . . .

KarTek · #10 02-01-2008, 03:55 PM

One obvious advantage is visibility. High wingers are great for looking at the ground when flying but you have to do a little right/left jog when entering the active to get a view of any traffic on final and make sure you're not going to be landed upon.

WVOtoGO · #11 02-01-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

I am curious about flying a low wing plane. What do you think is better?

I wouldn’t go as far as to say one is really better than the other.
They both pretty much do the same thing, but like kpb stated, there’s a lot of issues in the visibility department. And there are a few other things that I can think of as well.

In general aviation:
High wing is nicer for ground visibility in level flight, but you loose the runway when you’re turning base and final. High is nice on final and touchdown because you can look down and see the tire vs. the runway. (somewhere you shouldn’t really be looking anyway)
For the most part, high wing aircraft tend to have stronger main gear. High wing main gear are usually single piece spring steel and thus very low maintenance (no struts). They take abuse well.
Loading is a big issue. Low wing sucks, because you (usually) have to climb up on the wing to get in. Loading large/heavy stuff can be a PITA. Most low wing GA aircraft also only have one door, so you take turns getting in and out (Usually on the right side. So the guy in the right seat has to get out when the guy the left seat wants to get out.).
High wing sucks if you aren’t paying attention when you’re walking around it. I have a few friends in the “Diamond Club”. They punched a diamond in their forehead with the trailing edge of a Cessna wing/flap/aileron (think cookie cutter). Not a membership to be proud of. Next walk around, and you’ll see what I’m talking about if you don’t already.
Fuel loading is easier on a low wing aircraft. Taking a fuel sample is easier on a high wing. Tie-downs are easier on high wings. Tire/brake checks are easier on high wings.
It’s easier (for me anyway) to pick up a Cessna by the wingtip than a Piper, but that’s just me. Any wing maintenance is easier on a high wing (flaps ailerons lights strobes…)
I’d rather get a Cessna stuck in the mud than a Piper. (been there/done that w/ both) I’ve taken off from a muddy strip with a Cessna and slung mud into the flap well and thus couldn’t pull the flaps all the way up. That sucked. Not sure if that would have happened on a Piper or not. High wings clear things connected to the ground better.
The sun doesn’t seem to affect the cabin on a high wing as much, but if it's cold out, that might not be such a good thing. I love Cessna’s cockpit vent tubes in the wing leading edge.
You wont find much in the high wing department when talking aerobatics. Visibility is everything. Near 360 and the complete upper hemisphere are a must. Low/Mid wing and a bubble canopy are the only way you get that.

In short – I guess I prefer the high over the low with regard to overall practical use.

BamaMB · #12 02-01-2008, 05:37 PM

The Piper Meridian is what the Malibu should have been from the start.

As far as high vs low wing. I liked the Cessna 177 for the fact that you sit just ahead of the leading edge. Kind of best of both.

WVOtoGO · #13 02-01-2008, 05:57 PM

A friend of mine had a 177RG. All gloss black. We took it to Oshkosh from AZ back in (I think) ’85. Turned some heads. I loved it. Kind of a 172 that someone sleeked out the lines on. Nice bird.
Going from the original 150/172/182 cockpit, the lower/longer windshield can take a little getting used to though.