[wxwatcher]

Sam,

Know this is a little late, but just found the site a few weeks back and am still trying to get caught up on all the posts.

Cherokee 140's are outstanding aircraft if you know their limits. I learned to fly in the -140 and loved every minute of it. I've also flown the C172 and the Grumman AA-5 Traveler. I'll take the PA28 any day.

Reasons..

I found it easier to handle and more responsive than the other aircraft, but still very predictable.

Approaches and landings are easier because of the manual flaps. You know exactly how much flaps you are dropping with each notch you pull and it's the same every time. Closest I could come with the C172 and Grumman was to time how long it took to get full flap extension with the electric motor, then divide that by three and count off the seconds for each "third" of full deployement I wanted. Not exactly the way to have consistant approaches.

Loved the visibility and, in 1973 and later models, they had a "power quardent" for throttle and mixture similar to larger aircraft, not the push/pull setup like the C152/172's.

Downside.. You MUST be religious in doing your weight and balance for every flight. Solo and full fuel, I was within the "envelope" but as soon as the instructor got on board, and we had full fuel, we needed 100 pounds of sandbags in the baggage compartment to stay within c/g limits.

Also, The -140 is a good "flatland" aircraft, but will be severly underpowered in higher terrain, especially during high density altitude conditions.

If you need anymore info, let me know.

Also, let us know what you decide to do.

Good luck,

Jerry

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Comments and opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.