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 satisfied Cessna 170B owner, objectively compared his aircraft to a friend's newly purchased Cessna 180, noting the 180's superior performance, speed, and payload capabilities.
Despite the 180's technical advantages and impressive flight characteristics (like being able to throttle back for 170-level fuel efficiency), the author also observed its significantly higher acquisition and ongoing ownership costs, heavier controls, and slightly reduced ground visibility.
Ultimately, the experience reinforced the author's appreciation for his 170B, concluding that its lower costs, familiar handling, and docile nature better align with his personal preferences and mission, rather than seeking the technically superior 180.

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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.