My first ~500 hours were mostly in Cessnas, but it's been a few years since I spent much time flying them. Currently fly a Beech Deb (BE35-B33).

Clearly, many aspects of Beech singles can't be beat. Great flying qualities, speed, overall build quality, etc.

But, there are two aspects of Cessnas that are really nice.

Two doors. Such big difference when loading and unloading. And for cooling on the ground with opening both doors and or windows.

Wings on top. Low wing planes look better. And Bo's look way cooler than 172s. But, high wings are really great for:
- Cooling. The wings provide shade and limit cabin sun exposure and thus cabin temperature. I find Cessnas to have much lower cabin temp and more comfortable to fly in on hot days.
- Shade from sun/cover for rain. Standing at the plane under a wing in the shade on a hot day is nice and without getting wet on rainy day is also nice.
- Loading. Passengers don't have to step on a wing.

Seems like the kind of thing that's been beaten to death already, but I agree. Low wing planes look cooler, but the high-wing Cessnas have a lot of practical advantages.

The biggest gripe I have about the ergonomics of the low wing Bonanzas (and Pipers, and just about everything else) is that the door is on the wrong side. If I'm taking passengers, I'd much rather get them in first and be able to do a last check outside before I get in.

Also, it freaks out inexperienced passengers when you try to tell them to hold the door cracked open while taxiing if it's a hot day.

Don’t forget the inherent safety of the simplified fuel system or the landing loads being transmitted to the fuselage rather than the wing spar.

I must admit high wing does provide nice parking and storage under the wing.
Then its time to fuel...

low wing much better for crosswinds, at least for me

I haven't noticed that the low wings are that much better than the high wings. A little bit, maybe, but it's only noticeable if I'm looking for it.

In the negative column for Cessnas, the RG planes have smaller tires and a higher loading for the surface area. The model 33 and 35 Bonanza are better for light off-roading than the 182RG or 210.

A plane with doors on both sides is a game-changer.

You can slip a lot more in a high wing plane without worrying about dragging a tip.

I have a couple hundred hours in a Mooney and never got used to not seeing the ground under me. If the engine quits, more than 3/4 of your landing options you can't see without a bunch of maneuvering.

My plane will run if the engine fuel pump quits as well as the electric fuel pump (though at a reduced power setting).

I don't think it has anything to do with the wing placement, but Cessnas are wider than Beech products. My Cardinal is at least 3" wider than a Bo. I've seen two big guys in a Bo and it looks like they are sharing the same seatbelt.

I can park under my wing. I can store stuff in my hangar under the wings.

Brian,
If a high Cessna has a fuel injected engine, it needs a fuel pump or two just like every other fuel injected engine. Lots of Birddog owners convert from a pressure carb to a gravity system to get back to that simplicity. In fact, if my pressure carb hadn't been rebuilt just before I bought it, I'd switch to a carb too. As far as the gear attachment to the fuselage is concerned, there's been problems there too. PPonk makes a neat kit to strengthen the attachment.
https://pponk.com/landing-gear/
Still thinking about getting that done.
Dave

Best part of a Cessna is the thump! diamond print to the forehead.

-David

I don't get the appeal of 2 doors. Why would i want a cabin that leaks air on both sides ?

My first plane was a Cessna. If I never stand on a ladder again to fuel gas tanks that will be fine with me...

Tim

You can slip a lot more in a high wing plane without worrying about dragging a tip.

Are you kidding? To drag a Bonanza wing tip, you’d have to be banked 45 degrees, and the seats would be 6 feet in the air. You’d run out of rudder long before dragging a tip becomes an issue.

.[/quote]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... _O9GuZCVT0
Lookat 1:12:50 He almost dragged a tip and was only banked 30 degrees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZATIuPo ... dex=7&t=0s
At 1:26 in this video you can see a large roll caused by turbulence. Get something like that close to the ground and you don't need to be at full rudder to hit the tip in a low wing.

Two great things about Cessnas

(1) They taught me to fly. (I am forever grateful.)

(2) They make me appreciate my Bonanza.