Love the One You’re With

Performance numbers aren’t everything when it comes to finding the airplane that’s right for you.

Wednesday, November 08, 2023 at 02:30 PM ET

Verified

The Cessna 180 bests the 170 in almost every measure, but the pros and cons still need to match one’s personal preferences. [Photo: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

The author, a Cessna 170B owner, flies in a friend's new Cessna 180, an aircraft objectively superior in power, speed, and capacity, initially fearing it would make him dissatisfied with his own.
The flight confirms the 180's impressive performance and versatility, but also highlights its significantly higher purchase price, insurance costs, heavier controls, and reduced ground visibility compared to the 170B.
Ultimately, the author concludes that despite the 180's technical advantages, his Cessna 170B is a better personal fit due to its cherished handling, superior visibility, docile nature, and lower ownership costs, reaffirming his gratitude for his own plane.

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I love my Cessna 170B. I love its handling characteristics. I love how docile and forgiving it is. I love its unique balance of qualities, and I love how it looks. I feel good about the money I paid for it and the money I’ve paid to maintain and improve it.

Last week, I decided to risk all of this happiness, satisfaction, and contentment by going up for a flight with my friend Marty in his newly purchased Cessna 180.