Cessna 172 vs Piper Cherokee: Best Trainer Comparison

The Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee are the two most popular training aircraft in aviation history. Both have trained millions of pilots, and both remain in active production today. But which one is better for learning to fly? The answer depends on your learning style, career goals, and what’s available at your local flight school.

Quick Comparison Overview

High Wing vs. Low Wing: The Fundamental Difference

Cessna 172 (High Wing)

The wing sits above the cabin, providing excellent downward visibility—perfect for sightseeing, ground reference maneuvers, and keeping the runway in sight during traffic patterns.

Advantages:

• Better visibility below the aircraft
• Easier ground handling in rain (wing provides shelter)
• More forgiving in crosswind landings
• Gravity-fed fuel system (simpler, fewer fuel issues)
• Easier entry/exit for passengers

Disadvantages:

• Blocked upward visibility in turns
• Wing struts create some drag
• Can be harder to fuel at some airports

Piper Cherokee (Low Wing)

The wing sits below the cabin, offering better visibility above and to the sides—advantageous for scanning for traffic and executing steep turns.

Advantages:

• Better visibility above and in turns
• More stable in turbulence (pendulum effect)
• Easier to inspect fuel visually
• Cleaner aerodynamics (no struts)
• Feels more like larger aircraft

Disadvantages:

• Electric fuel pump required
• Blocked visibility below
• Lower wing can strike obstacles
• Harder entry/exit (must step on wing)

Flight Characteristics

Takeoff and Landing

The Cessna 172 is generally considered more forgiving for student pilots. Its higher wing and longer main gear provide more stability during crosswind operations. Many instructors find students solo earlier in 172s.

The Cherokee has a lower stall speed differential between clean and flaps configurations, which some argue builds better airspeed awareness. Its Hershey Bar wing (on older models) provides predictable stall behavior.

Cruise Flight

Both aircraft cruise around 120-130 knots, with the Cherokee having a slight edge. Fuel consumption is similar at about 8-10 gallons per hour. The Cherokee’s slightly higher useful load means it can carry more payload for the same fuel burn.

Stall Behavior

Both aircraft have docile, well-mannered stall characteristics—a requirement for any trainer. The 172’s stall is slightly more abrupt, while the Cherokee provides more buffet warning. Neither aircraft has vicious stall tendencies.

Cockpit and Controls

Cessna 172

• Control yoke: Traditional push-pull and turn
• Flap control: Manual Johnson bar or electric switch
• Throttle quadrant: Standard vernier controls
• Fuel selector: Both, Left, Right, Off
• Cabin width: Slightly narrower

Piper Cherokee

• Control yoke: Similar feel to Cessna
• Flap control: Manual lever between seats
• Throttle quadrant: Push-pull controls
• Fuel selector: Left or Right only (no Both position)
• Cabin width: Slightly wider

Training Considerations

For Primary Training

Both aircraft are excellent trainers, and the FAA doesn’t prefer one over the other. The most important factor is instructor quality and aircraft availability, not the specific make.

That said, some considerations:

• 172 advantages: More common at flight schools, generally lower rental rates, easier transition to other high-wing Cessnas
• Cherokee advantages: Prepares you for low-wing aircraft (common in commercial aviation), teaches fuel management discipline, slightly more useful load

For Instrument Training

Both work well under the hood. The Cherokee’s dashboard layout is slightly more intuitive for instrument scan, while the 172’s stability makes it easier to hold altitude in turbulence.

Rental Rates and Availability

Cessna 172s typically outnumber Cherokees at flight schools by 3:1 or more. This affects:

• Scheduling: More 172s usually means easier scheduling
• Rental rates: 172s often $10-20/hour cheaper due to supply
• Insurance: Similar rates for both
• Maintenance: Parts availability slightly better for 172s

Career Path Considerations

If you’re training for a career:

• Airline path: Wing configuration doesn’t matter. You’ll transition to multi-engine and jets regardless of what you train in.
• Bush flying: High-wing experience (172) transfers better to Cessna 206, Caravan, and similar aircraft.
• Corporate aviation: Low-wing experience (Cherokee) may be slightly more relevant for Piper, Beechcraft, and similar aircraft.

The Verdict

There’s no wrong choice between these two aircraft. The best trainer is the one that’s:

1. Available when you need it
2. Well-maintained
3. Taught by a good instructor
4. Affordable for your budget

Many flight schools have both types. If possible, take an introductory flight in each to see which feels more comfortable. Your instinct matters—you’ll spend 50-70 hours in this airplane.

The skills you learn transfer between aircraft types. A good pilot trained in a Cherokee will have no trouble flying a 172, and vice versa. Focus on finding the right school and instructor rather than obsessing over the airplane.