Quick Picks
- Starting a private pilot program? Learn in the Cessna or Piper you'd train in.
- Bringing someone? Only the four-seat Piper takes a guest.
- Want something sportier? The Diamond, with its stick and bubble canopy.
- Thinking about the Premium program? The Cirrus SR22 Turbo, glass from day one.
The Four Airplanes, Compared
| Cessna 162 | Piper Warrior | Diamond DA20 | Cirrus SR22 Turbo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 2 | 4 | 2 | You + instructor on the lesson |
| Wing | High | Low | Low, composite | Low, composite |
| Controls | Between a stick and a yoke | Yoke | Control stick | Side yoke |
| Instruments | Garmin G300 glass | Traditional six-pack | Traditional analog | Full Perspective glass |
| Weight limit | 180 lb | 180 lb (360 with a guest) | 180 lb | 200 lb |
| First lesson | $349 | $349, or $449 with a guest | $549 | $749 |
| Leads into | Sport Pilot, early private lessons | Standard and Comprehensive Private Pilot | Standard and Comprehensive Private Pilot | Premium Private Pilot |
Cessna Vs Piper: The Two Trainers
The Cessna Or Piper package flies in the Cessna 162 Skycatcher or the Piper Warrior, the trainers our Standard and Comprehensive programs fly. The Warrior is where most of our private pilot hours are flown.
The two feel different. The Cessna's wing sits above you, so the view straight down at Los Angeles is uninterrupted, and its Garmin G300 puts the instruments on a screen. The Piper's wing sits below you, which opens up the view above and into turns, and its panel is the traditional six-pack of round gauges. Both are steady, forgiving airplanes to learn in.
Piper + Guest: The One For Two
The Warrior has four seats, so it's the only first lesson that can take a guest. They sit in the back with a headset and watch you fly the whole lesson. It's $100 more, $449 in all, with a limit of 180 lb per person and 360 lb for the two of you. Children under 5 can't be carried.
Diamond DA20: The Sporty One
The Diamond has a wraparound bubble canopy, a control stick instead of a yoke, and a long, low composite wing. It's a two-seater, so it's just you and your instructor, and the canopy gives it the best visibility on our ramp. If you like the idea of flying with a stick, this is the one.
Cirrus SR22 Turbo: The Premium One
Our Cirrus SR22 Turbo has a full Perspective glass cockpit, a side yoke and the Cirrus parachute system overhead, a parachute for the whole airplane. It's the airplane our Premium Private Pilot Program is flown in from lesson one. If you already know you want to fly a glass cockpit, start here.
Does Your First Airplane Matter Later?
The fundamentals are the same in every airplane, so nothing you learn on lesson one goes to waste. That said, learning in the airplane you'll keep training in means you build on the same cockpit from the start. Moving to a different type later takes a checkout with an instructor.
Or Start In The Simulator
Our Redbird MCX full-motion simulator can be set up as a single-engine trainer. The simulator flying lesson covers the same two hours on the ground, for $249.
Questions
Which airplane is easiest to learn in?
All four are good first airplanes, and the lesson is taught the same way in each. The Piper Warrior is where most of our private pilot hours are flown.
Can I switch airplanes for lesson two?
Yes. Your instructor will walk you through what's different in the next airplane before you fly it.
What if I'm close to the weight limit?
Call us on (818) 290-8249 before you book. The Cirrus has the highest limit, at 200 lb.