Typical Training Aircraft
Posted by ITrCool@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I'm curious if most flight schools like to train with the following aircraft across the US (and even globally if you're not from the States):
- Cessna 172
- Cessna 175
- Piper Archer
- Piper Cub (if planning to learn tailwheel)
- Cirrus SR-20
- Diamond DA40
Would this list be basically correct? Are there any flight schools that go beyond that, short of training for turbine checks (Citations, Learjets, Gulfstreams, etc.) and then of course multi-engine planes later like larger Beechcraft?
ComplaintFluid8441@reddit
A friend of mine did his full training at Pelican Flight Training — mostly on Cessna 172s and Piper Seminoles. All aircraft were well-maintained, clean, and equipped with standard avionics (some with G1000). For multi, the Seminole was solid and reliable. Maintenance was taken seriously — they even canceled flights for minor issues. Definitely a good example of a school that keeps its training fleet in solid shape.
EmmaDieGeile16@reddit
A friend of mine did his full training at Pelican Flight Training — mostly on Cessna 172s and Piper Seminoles. All aircraft were well-maintained, clean, and equipped with standard avionics (some with G1000). For multi, the Seminole was solid and reliable. Maintenance was taken seriously — they even canceled flights for minor issues. Definitely a good example of a school that keeps its training fleet in solid shape.
AncientCantaloupe872@reddit
Archers, 172’s are gonna be the most common. Training in something like an sr22 isn’t financially practical for most people.
cro2931@reddit
Not really going to see too many 175s and cubs, but the rest, Yes, those are the common trainers in addition to the C152 you see at flight schools around the US. They’ll range from tired, beat to death, 60s era models to new ones that are glassed out and every year in between.
ITrCool@reddit (OP)
Those Diamonds and Cirrus planes attract me the most with their "bubble" canopies, and their typical glass panels. They seem like sports cars on wings.
cro2931@reddit
The DA40 is more on the trainer side than the Cirrus I feel. I’ve in the past trained new pilots as a Cirrus CISP instructor and also in just about every one of the mentioned makes of aircraft. Of all of them, pilots who insisted on using the Cirrus, 20 or 22, because they wanted to, or they just bought one, or for whatever reason, they would always take the longest and log more time before being check ride ready. The DA40 is a good trainer and is on par with all of the rest but makes a good general use airplane as well as its very enjoyable, and as you mention, has likely one of the best views in GA. We operate several in the flying club I now belong to
ITrCool@reddit (OP)
They look like they'd be a fun aircraft to own too. For cross-country trips (if I actually had the millions to own one that is lol)
Rough-Aioli-9621@reddit
There really aren’t any flight schools that rent out anything larger than a light piston twin. Something like a Seminole or a 310.
Also I thought it was kinda funny how you included the Cessna 175 in there lol.
ITrCool@reddit (OP)
Well, I mention the 175, because there's a couple flight schools near me here in the Midwest that offer them in their fleet.
Rough-Aioli-9621@reddit
Interesting. Yeah 175s aren’t too common in general.
ITrCool@reddit (OP)
I see. Are they typically “fancier” models in the Cessna lineup?
Rough-Aioli-9621@reddit
If you consider 150/152/172/182s “fancy”, sure
ITrCool@reddit (OP)
Does Cessna still make the Skylane series? With retractable gear?
Rough-Aioli-9621@reddit
They make skylanes yes, not retracts though.
twohedwlf@reddit
One near me uses c152s and Piper Tomahawks.
ITrCool@reddit (OP)
Oh didn't think of those! The little two-seaters.