Have you ever noticed how some pilots race to jump in a dinky little Cessna, but others would rather jump in a 747? Why do some pilots prefer big planes over small ones? What are the reasons why there is even an argument of ‘big plane vs small plane?’ And, which is the most popular opinion?
As with most things, the argument of ‘big plane vs small plane’ boils down to personal preference. Some pilots prefer the speed of a big plane, or the maneuverability of a small plane.Â
Big plane vs small plane- Reasons pilots prefer big planes
They’re easier to handle in turbulence, it well known that aircraft, no matter the size, suffer from turbulence when flying. As a general rule, the larger the aircraft is, the easier it is to handle in turbulence. (This is due to the fact that the larger aircraft has a larger weight, and therefore a larger center of gravity).
The pilots who responded ‘big planes’, when we asked them ‘big plane vs small plane?’, the vast majority labelled this as their top reason. This is due to the fact that smaller planes bounce around incredibly during turbulence, which can be quite irritating for the pilots to deal with.
They require less attention, on big planes, a lot of the flying is done by autopilot. This means that the pilot can essentially choose what times they want to fly, or readjust their course. This allows pilots to do more of the general ‘pilot’ stuff, such as communicating with the ATC, checking on the aircraft’s main systems, and yes, probably catching up on some much needed sleep.
Some bigger planes are faster, when you compare the speeds of a 747 to a Cessna 172, the 747 is much faster. In fact, the 747 is over three times as fast as the Cessna 172!
Most pilots, whether they are young or old, at one point in their career have been a ‘speed demon’, ie. They have a need for speed. So, this may cause them to abandon the Cessna 150 that got them their original flight hours, in favor of a much faster 747, A380, 737 etc.
‘It handles better’, this is probably the most subjective phrase in all of aviation. Some pilots like the fact that when they move the control column to the left, it takes a little while before the aircraft really begins to turn left. Some pilots like the feeling that the aircraft has, some like the longer fuselages, or the wideness of the aircraft. Or maybe it just gives them that special ‘wow!’ feeling.
Big plane vs small plane- Reasons pilots prefer small planes
They’re faster, whilst a Cessna 172 has nothing against a 747 in terms of speed, many other aircraft in private hands, are far faster than the 747. Aircraft such as the Folland Gnat, and F-4 Phantom, which can be purchased on sites such as this one, just as you’d buy a used car!
These small planes cost a fraction of what a 747 does, and some can go up to 200 km/m faster than the 747 (or even past Mach 1!) These aircraft are often owned/operated by former air force pilots, who still like the speed that they were able to go in the past, but with the safety of being at home!
Small planes are better at night, most pilots prefer to fly during the day, according to our survey of over 500 pilots, the pilots that are flying during the night, are generally the ones who drew the short straw. As in, night time routes are some of the least desirable routes that an airline or haulage company could operate.
Due to pilots general distaste of flying during the night, much of the night time flights are either military, or small planes owned by private citizens. This has led to many manufacturers making their light aircraft very good at flying/navigating during the night time.
They require less attention, most small aircraft, especially aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Grob Tutor, are bare bones aircraft. By that, the aircraft has very few operating systems, flashing lights, computer systems etc. They merely have a cockpit, control column, compass, speedometer and that is basically it.
Due to the extreme simplicity of the small planes, many pilots (especially those who have previously flown far more complicated aircraft) see smaller aircraft as far easier to fly, as they require almost no attention whatsoever. This is mainly due to the fact that the systems that the pilots need to check are almost second-nature to most pilots.
They handle better, again, this is probably the most subjective phrase in all of aviation. Some pilots love the fact that they can essentially ‘throw the aircraft around in the sky’, in reference to doing acrobatics- this is something that a giant 747 or A380 would be unable to do!
Some pilots also like the fact that when they tilt the control column left, the aircraft goes left almost immediately, rather than the delayed reaction that a 747 or A380 would have. This was by the common reason when we asked people ‘big plane vs small plane?’
Big plane vs small plane- Who is the winner?
When it comes to a question of big plane vs small plane, there is no clear winner. Most aviation is done through smaller planes, however, the most travel per seat is definitely with the bigger planes.
The question of big plane vs small plane comes down to personal preference, just as it is with preferring to fly during the day or night.
The question of big plane vs small plane is one that often divides the aviation community in half. Half prefer small planes, whilst the other half prefer big planes.
One airline pilot we spoke to put it best: “It’s like asking a vegetarian to pick between apples and oranges. Yes, they may like both, but one will always take a preference. The same is with the question of big plane vs small plane. Most pilots fly in small aircraft for fun, or they want to see a specific site from the air. Whereas most pilots fly in big planes (mostly commercial ones) for the purpose of their job.
“If something goes wrong during the flight- such as a deviation or changing your mind, there are grave financial consequences for the airline, but not so much with small planes.”
So when it boils down to it, the question of big plane vs small plane has no real answer. For most pilots, it shouldn’t even be a question at all.
Are you a pilot? Do you prefer flying a big plane or a small plane? Why do you prefer that? Tell us in the comments below!