Cessna 172 "Skyhawk"
The Skyhawk is one of the mainstays of flight training and personal flight. A & M provides a number of "hawks" for rental, from a 1981 172P model to a modern 2006 172SP with a G1000 glass panel. The R and S models have autopilots, Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) certified Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Receivers, and some have full-color multi-function displays, as well. The 172P and 172R have the 160HP engine, while all the others are S models with 180HP.
We have two Garmin G-1000-equipped 172s, with what is commonly called a "glass panel." Because of the advanced avionics, they do require additional instruction and checkout. But even the "steam gauge" 172Rs and 172Ss we have qualify as "Technically Advanced Aircraft."
The 172's have enough room that four people can fit comfortably, though that will usually necessitate leaving with less than full tanks. Most of them have leather interiors, for that extra touch of luxury.
For more information, see the Wikipedia article on the Skyhawk.
Piper PA-28-181 "Archer III"
Some people prefer to have a low-wing aircraft for one reason or another. 
Others prefer to fly an aircraft with an air conditioner so they stay cool in the summer. 
For both of those, we offer the Piper Archer III. This is a recent model (1999) with a very nice panel. It has air conditioning, a good autopilot that will capture a preset altitude while climbing or descending at a specified rate, dual Garmin 430s and an HSI, carburetor ice detection. Because some of the switches are overhead, the panel in front is cleaner than many.
Specifications
| 172P | 172R | 172SP | PA-28-181 | |
| Places | 4 | |||
| Useful Load | 913 lbs | 764 lbs | 809 - 902 lbs | 771 lbs |
| Cruise speed | 118KTS @ 75% | 123KTS @ 75% | 123KTS @ 75% | |
| Fuel burn | 8.6gph @ 75% | 10gph @ 75% | 11gph @ 75% | |
| Fuel capacity | 40 gal | 53 gal | 48 gal | |
| Ceiling | 14,000 | not specified | ||
| Range | 540NM @ 60% | 675NM @ 60% | 640NM @ 45% | |
| Avionics | ADF | KLN autopilot |
KLN IFR panel autopilot MFD (some) G1000 (some) |
Air conditioning 2 Garmin GNS 430 GPS/COM STEC 55 autopilots w/altitude capture STEC 180 HSI GMA 340 audio panel GTX 320 transponder |
| Tail | Type | Empty Weight | Gross Weight | Empty Moment |
| N54093 |
172P |
1486 | 2400 |
57.927 |
| N72662 | 172R | 1686 | 2450 | 66.088 |
| N365SP | 172SP | 1648 | 2550 | 66.379 |
| N988JF | PA-28-181 | 1786 | 2550 | 157.116 |
| N6031L | 172SP (G1000) | 1741 | 2550 | 72.442 |
| N172FU | 172SP (G1000) | 1758 | 2550 | 73.234 |
Disclaimer: These values for comparison only and are not to be considered official numbers. It is the Pilot in Command's responsibility to verify any numbers used in calculating performance against official numbers found in the airplane's Operating Handbook.
