Piper Archer vs. Cessna 172: Which Trainer Is Right for You?

Training
Written By Jacob Henderson

Walk onto almost any flight school ramp in Florida and you'll see two airplanes over and over: the Cessna 172 and the Piper Archer. Both are four-seat, single-engine trainers. Both have taught a huge number of pilots to fly. And students ask us all the time which one is better to learn in.

Here's the honest answer: both are excellent, and the airplane matters less than the instruction you get in it. But they do feel different, and knowing how can help you choose. Here's how they compare, from the ramp to the runway.

The quick version

The Cessna 172 is a high-wing airplane with two doors, electric flaps and a fuel system you mostly set and forget. The Piper Archer is a low-wing airplane with one door, a manual flap lever and two fuel tanks you switch between in flight. Same engine power, same max weight, very similar performance.

At Flight Path Aviation Academy, we train in the Cessna 172. We'll explain why below, but the Archer is a great airplane too, and plenty of pilots fly both.

Cessna 172 versus Piper Archer: the 172 has a high wing, two doors, electric flaps and a fuel selector you leave on both tanks. The Archer has a low wing, one door on the right, a manual flap lever and you switch fuel tanks in flightHigh wing vs. low wingSame job, different layoutCessna 172Piper ArcherWingHigh wingLow wingDoorsTwo, one each sideOne, on the rightFlapsElectric switchManual leverFuel tanksSelector on BOTHSwitch tanks in flightFlorida bonusShade under the wingEasy to check fuelCessna 172 versus Piper Archer: the 172 has a high wing, two doors, electric flaps and a fuel selector you leave on both tanks. The Archer has a low wing, one door on the right, a manual flap lever and you switch fuel tanks in flightHigh wing vs.low wingSame job, different layoutCessna 172Piper ArcherWing172High wingArcherLow wingDoors172Two, one each sideArcherOne, on the rightFlaps172Electric switchArcherManual leverFuel tanks172Selector on BOTHArcherSwitch tanks in flightFlorida bonus172Shade under the wingArcherEasy to check fuel

By the numbers

On paper, these two are close. Both have a 180 horsepower Lycoming engine and a max gross weight of 2,550 pounds. Here's how a Cessna 172S and a Piper Archer III typically stack up:

Cessna 172S vs. Piper Archer III specs
SpecCessna 172SPiper Archer III
Engine180 hp Lycoming180 hp Lycoming
Cruise speed (75% power)About 124 knotsAbout 128 knots
Usable fuel53 gallons48 gallons
Max gross weight2,550 pounds2,550 pounds
Stall speed, landing setupAbout 40 knotsAbout 45 knots
Max demonstrated crosswind15 knots17 knots
Seats44

These are typical book numbers. Every airplane is a little different depending on its year, equipment and weight, so we always fly by that airplane's own Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH).

Cessna 172S versus Piper Archer III by the numbers: both have a 180 horsepower engine and a 2,550 pound max gross weight. Cruise is about 124 knots versus 128, usable fuel 53 gallons versus 48, and max demonstrated crosswind 15 knots versus 17By the numbersCessna 172S vs. Piper Archer III. Both: 180 hp, 2,550 lb max weightCessna 172SPiper Archer IIICruise speedknots at 75% power124 kt128 ktUsable fuelgallons53 gal48 galCrosswind limitmax demonstrated, knots15 kt17 ktTypical book numbers. Every airplane is a little different, so always check its own POH.Cessna 172S versus Piper Archer III by the numbers: both have a 180 horsepower engine and a 2,550 pound max gross weight. Cruise is about 124 knots versus 128, usable fuel 53 gallons versus 48, and max demonstrated crosswind 15 knots versus 17By the numbersCessna 172S vs. Piper Archer III.Both: 180 hp, 2,550 lb max weightCessna 172SPiper Archer IIICruise speedknots at 75% power124 kt128 ktUsable fuelgallons53 gal48 galCrosswind limitmax demonstrated, knots15 kt17 ktTypical book numbers. Every airplane isa little different, so check its POH.

What feels different in the cockpit

The biggest difference is where the wing is, and it changes more than you'd think.

How the Cessna 172 and Piper Archer differ for a student pilot
DifferenceCessna 172Piper Archer
Your viewGreat view of the ground below. The wing can block your view up and into a turn.Great view up and into turns. The wing blocks some of your view of the ground below.
Getting inA door on each side, so you and your instructor each climb in your own side.One door on the right. The left-seat pilot climbs in first and slides over.
FlapsElectric switch, usually set to 10, 20 or 30 degrees.Manual lever between the seats, set to 10, 25 or 40 degrees.
FuelThe selector usually stays on BOTH, so both tanks feed the engine.You pick the left or right tank and switch during the flight to keep them balanced.
Landing feelLands predictably, with less tendency to float in ground effect.Low wing means more ground effect, so it likes to float a bit before touchdown.
PreflightYou'll need a step or ladder to check fuel in the high wing tanks.Fuel caps are right on top of the wing, easy to check from the ground.

The Florida factor

Here in Tampa Bay, there's one more thing that matters more than any spec sheet: the sun. A high wing gives you shade during your preflight walkaround and while you sit on the ramp. On an August afternoon, that's not a small thing.

On the flip side, the Archer's low wing makes it easy to see the runway as you turn final, and its wide landing gear is solid in a crosswind. Afternoon sea breezes here can get gusty, and both airplanes handle them well with good technique.

Why we train in the Cessna 172

We chose the 172 for a few practical reasons. Two doors make getting in and out easy for you and your instructor. The simple fuel system means one less thing for a brand-new student to juggle. The high wing gives you a clear view of the ground for ground reference maneuvers like S-turns and turns around a point, plus that Florida shade.

It's also forgiving and predictable during slow flight, stalls and landings, which is where most new pilots spend their early lessons. That's why it's been one of the most popular trainers in the world for decades.

Can you switch later?

Absolutely. Both are single-engine land airplanes, so your Private Pilot certificate covers either one. If you learn in a 172 and want to rent an Archer later, you'll do a checkout with an instructor to learn its systems, fuel management and landing feel. Most pilots find the switch pretty quick, and flying both makes you a better, more well-rounded pilot.

Which trainer fits you
If you...You might like
Want a clear view of the ground and shade on the rampCessna 172
Prefer an easy entry with your own doorCessna 172
Like a clear view into your turns and of the runway on finalPiper Archer
Plan to rent wherever you can find an airplaneLearn in either, then check out in the other
Care most about passing your checkrideThe instructor and your schedule matter more than the airplane

The bottom line

Don't let the airplane decide where you train. A great instructor, a schedule that works and an airplane that's well maintained matter way more than whether the wing is on top or on the bottom.

Want to see if the 172 feels right to you? Book a $199 discovery flight at Tampa Executive Airport, and take the controls yourself.

Jacob Henderson
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