I landed one from the right seat arriving at Aero Friedrichshafen in 2013… it was a Reims Rocket. I’ve ridden in a lot of them but that my sole C172 piloting experience.
Well, as my screen handle sort of gives it away – I have indeed flown many C172s! However, and perhaps unusually, the vast majority of my C172 flights were in C172RGs. I rarely fly them now, although I did my CPL in one early this year. They are great little machines and can fill an amazing variety of roles if you don’t need speed and/or payload.
The question should really be – how many pilots have not flown a C172!
Number 1 345 007 and 1 345 008 done today. Not sure how correct is the count anyway
Only in Florida: I, M, S, SP, from basic sun-baked steamgauges to G1000, autopilot, aircon. Like huv, my first impression was not good: I remember thinking ‘quel gros veau’ (what a fat calf). You do get a comfortable cabin and plenty of space to throw stuff in the back.
Also C140 (a joy to fly), C152 (cramped with an obese instructor), C162 (fun for a while), C182 (good all round).
I like the 172 (even the early models with O-300). Sometime I rent a current model with G1000. Feels a bit like flying a piano the first few minutes, but ease of entry, space and views down are great. Would like to try a 182 one day.
About 350 hours on 6 regs, mostly 172 N, flying myself and instructing. Fond memories taking up lots of people who all enjoyed the great views straight down.
I’ve rented 2 post-2000 models, not glass, in Colorado, and at least 3 older ones in Scotland. I don’t like the C172, although I’ve continued flying in conditions worse than I’ve flown in anything else.
I prefer C152/150 and Pa28/38 for rental.
Fond of this stalwart of aviation but early in my flying I appreciated the need for more grunt.
Aged 13 3/4 metaphorically I was to ferry a 172M with electronic sign writing under the wing. Imagine a sort of aerial application row of lights. All was well until I reached Denver Stapleton. Having been dazzled by the Coombs Jet FBO ramp ladies in shorts, this was the 70’s, I proceeded to take off having leaned the mixture for peak RPM. Time was around 5pm local and outside temp high 20’s.
The then young 172 managed to get airborne but I had to nurse it round back to land, the combination of the density altitude and lighting system reducing climb rate to gnats level.
I quickly realised that nursing it across the Rockies in summer meant night VFR, my testicular fortitude being lacking a more wily and courageous colleague carried out the gig and delivered it several days later to Vancouver.
Your anecdotes would make a good book or at least a blog. Very nicely written! You don’t happen to have a picture of those fbo workers in hotpants (just kidding).
:)
I seem to have flown 8 of them, including practically all of my primary and IR training. I’d be surprised if 99% of US pilots don’t have time in one. Look at any GA airport and they are the single most common type. DIfferent in Europe where the PA28 seems more common.
