Converting onto a PA28

After flying many hours on the Cessna 152 I decided to convert onto a PA28 (Piper Aircraft). The Piper or PA28 as commonly known has a tried and tested design, proving a favourite for many pilots. They cruise at 100kts, and can quite happily carry 4 people. They provide stability in the cruise as well as having nice handling characteristics. The PA28 is a family of light aircraft designed for flight training, air taxi, and personal use. They are all-metal, unpressurised, single-engine, piston-powered airplanes with low-mounted wings and tricycle landing gear. They all have a single door on the co-pilot side, which is entered by stepping on the wing.

For me to convert onto this aircraft I went back to my flying school I was with when I undertook my PPL, Sky Leisure. (http://www.skyleisure.co.uk) Most check-outs take can take 2 - 5 hours, or slightly longer if required.

I flew on Thursday 29th March, The weather again was CAVOK (Great)! We had to go over speeds of the aircraft which is important. The PA28 Warrior and Archer have different speeds. I was shown the speeds for the Warrior as this is slower by about 5 knots then archer.
Rotate speed is around 65knots, and climb is about 80knots (with no flap). And Approach speed is 70knots with a glide about 75knots. Once we have gone over the speeds we then had a check of the aircraft (walk around) from the outside and what was different from the Cessna. Once this was done we went over the cockpit and what was different. In this aircraft there is a fuel pump and a tank switch, this is a very important part of this aircraft when flying as fuel management is a must. We then went over the normal checklist for this aircraft but going over each and everything on it. Larger aircraft = larger checklist.

Once we did this we departed, normal procedures with the aircraft and management about/around the airfield. The main things we did in the hour was Straight and level, PFLs, Turning and stalls. (The main things) I had done these well and once we returned to the airport we did a few circuits, All went well so all I have to do next is a few circuits which will be a Glide and flapless and then I will have successfully be converted on a PA28.

G-CDMY (Warrior)

G-BIUY (Archer)

• Crew: 1 Pilot / Co Pilot
• Capacity: 3 Passengers incl Co Pilot
• Number of doors: 1
• Length: 23 Feet
• Wingspan: 35 feet
• Height: 7 feet
• Power : 160BHP
• Max RPM: 2700
• Fuel Consumption: Average 9 gal/hr
• Fuel Capacity: 50 gal (189 Litres)
• Useable Fuel: 48 gal (182 Litres)
• Oil Capacity: 8
• Empty Weight: 1500 lbs
• Max Takeoff weight: 2440 lbs
• Max Baggage: 200lbs
• Cruise speed: 108 knots
• Stall speed: 44 knots
• Take-off speed: 60 knots
• Endurance: 5 hours
• Inspection: Every 50 hours of flight time