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The fleet

The airplanes you'll train in

Your aviation journey starts with the most reliable brands in America. Students train across five aircraft: three Cessna 172 Skyhawks for primary and instrument work, a technically advanced Cherokee 180 for instrument and commercial students, and a Citabria 7KCAB for tailwheel, spin and aerobatic training.

The flight line

Every airplane in the fleet.

A blue-and-white Cessna 172 Skyhawk registered N7843U parked on the ramp at last light, with a lit hangar behind it.
N7843U

Primary trainer with IFR-certified avionics

Cessna 172 Skyhawk

The Cessna 172 "Skyhawk" stands as the gold standard for flight training, celebrated for its stability, reliability and resilience. Built to endure the rigours of student training, it remains one of the most trusted platforms for aspiring pilots. N7843U, our 172F model, carries IFR-certified avionics and a dual-stack radio and navigation system — classic design with contemporary capability.

Registration
N7843U
Seats
4
A navy-and-white Cessna 172 Skyhawk registered N323FS on a taxiway beside a metal hangar row under a bright sky.
N323FS

Primary trainer, fully instrument certified

Cessna 172 Skyhawk

A primary trainer that is fully instrument certified, N323FS gives students a solid foundation from their first take-off through their instrument rating. Forgiving handling and a proven safety record let pilots build skill and confidence in a comfortable, dependable aircraft before moving on to more advanced operations.

Registration
N323FS
Seats
4
A red-and-white Cessna 172 Skyhawk registered N8478U on the ramp, seen from the front quarter beneath its wing.
N8478U

Primary trainer for first solos

Cessna 172 Skyhawk

The Cessna 172 is the cornerstone of flight training worldwide, known for its stability, durability and forgiving flight characteristics. Designed to take the demands of student pilots, it is an ideal platform for building the fundamentals — few aircraft rival the 172 for shaping confident, capable aviators.

Registration
N8478U
Seats
4
The instrument panel of the Cherokee 180: two large Garmin glass displays side by side, a radio stack to the right, and twin control yokes over a red interior.
N56WB

Technically advanced aircraft for instrument and commercial students

TAA Cherokee 180

Train with confidence in our technically advanced Cherokee 180, equipped with dual Garmin G3X displays and a fully integrated autopilot. The modern panel offers exceptional situational awareness and workflow efficiency, making it ideal for instrument and commercial students learning advanced avionics in a stable, reliable airframe — whether you are refining precision approaches, navigating complex airspace, or preparing for professional flying.

Registration
N56WB
Seats
4
An orange-and-white Citabria taildragger on a sunlit ramp, tail wheel down and propeller stopped.
N192BA

Tailwheel, spin and aerobatic training

Citabria Aerobatic 7KCAB

Our tailwheel course is flown in the Citabria 7KCAB and is designed to sharpen your precision and proficiency. Tailwheel — conventional gear — is the original landing gear configuration and has been a cornerstone of aviation for over a century. Flying taildraggers demands sharp skills and coordination, and any determined aviator can master them with proper training. You will come away understanding the physics and aerodynamics that define these aircraft, and the technique to handle them confidently.

Registration
N192BA
Seats
2
The standard

Five aircraft that cover the whole path, from first flight to commercial

Training across a mixed fleet makes a better pilot. A student who has flown steam gauges in a 172F, glass and an autopilot in the Cherokee, and a taildragger on the grass reads an airplane rather than a panel — and that transfers to whatever they fly next.

  1. Three Cessna 172 Skyhawks — the primary trainers
  2. IFR-certified avionics with a dual-stack radio and navigation system in N7843U
  3. Dual Garmin G3X displays and integrated autopilot in the Cherokee 180
  4. A Citabria 7KCAB for tailwheel, spin, upset recovery and aerobatics

See the training programs these aircraft fly

Questions about the fleet

What aircraft will I train in?
Primary students fly one of our three Cessna 172 Skyhawks. Instrument and commercial students also fly the Cherokee 180, which carries dual Garmin G3X displays and an integrated autopilot, and tailwheel, spin and aerobatic students fly the Citabria 7KCAB.
How many aircraft do you have, and will I always get one?
Five: three Cessna 172 Skyhawks, the Cherokee 180 and the Citabria 7KCAB. That is a lot of aeroplane for a school this size, which is part of why students who commute in from an hour away still find it worth the drive. Lessons are booked ahead with your instructor.
Will I train in the same airplane every lesson?
Usually, and that is the intention early on — consistency in the cockpit is worth a lot when you are learning to land. You may fly a different 172 if yours is in for maintenance, and you will deliberately move to the Cherokee 180 or the Citabria when the rating calls for it.
Do the aircraft have glass cockpits or steam gauges?
Both, and that is on purpose. N7843U, our 172F, carries IFR-certified avionics with a dual-stack radio and navigation system. The Cherokee 180 is a technically advanced aircraft with dual Garmin G3X displays and a fully integrated autopilot. Learning on both means you read the aeroplane rather than the panel.

Come see the airplanes

Book a Discovery Flight and take the controls of one yourself — or call 540-767-5049 to talk through your training.