Which Aircraft: The Best Aircraft for Students to Train in

TLDR

For Private Pilot Training some of the best aircraft for reliability are the Cessna 172, Piper PA-28 or Diamond DA40. For cost some of the best aircraft are Cessna 152, Tecnam P2008/P92, Cessna 172 or Piper PA-28. For safety some of the best aircraft are Cessna 172, Diamond DA40, Cirrus SR20, Piper PA-28 or Sling TSI. For advanced features some of the best aircraft are the Diamond DA40, Cirrus SR20 or Sling TSI.

For Sport Pilot some of the best light sport aircraft for reliability are the Van’s RV12, Evektor SportStar, Tecnam P92/P2008 or Vashon Ranger R7. For cost some of the best light sport aircraft are the Van’s RV12, Tecnam P92 or Vashon Ranger R7. For safety some of the best light sport aircraft are the Van’s RV12, Flight Design CTLS or Tecnam P2008. For advanced features some of the best light sport aircraft are the Van’s RV12, Flight Design CTLS or Vashon Ranger R7.

The short answer: The reliable one that fits your budget.

But it is more nuanced than that. There are technically advanced aircraft with digital flight displays and GPS systems that can make flying a lot easier. There are old reliable aircraft that are preferred by pilot purists and help you learn the fundamentals better. There are safer aircraft with more redundant systems and safety features to make your loved ones feel better about you flying.

The right aircraft for you depends on your budget, what is available and how you want to learn. This article will cover all the most popular options and what’s best of each of them so you can make the right choice!

Note: Not everyone will have a choice. In some cases students may only have one aircraft in at their flight school or in their budget. That’s OKAY! It is more important to find an aircraft that works and a good flight instructor than anything else. Don’t get too caught up in finding a fancy aircraft… that can come later!

For Private Pilot Students

Private Pilots can train in any single engine aircraft as long as it has two front seats and dual controls for an instructor and is not an experimental aircraft. Sport Pilots, which we will discuss below, must train and fly as a certificated Sport Pilot in what is called a Light Sport Aircraft or LSA.

Best for Reliability

The most important aspect to acquiring the skill of flight and doing it affordably is momentum. Gaps or delays in a student’s training can cause skill to be lost and lessons to be repeated (which costs $$$).

If your aircraft is down for maintenance, this can be problematic… because you can’t fly! So it makes sense that having a reliable aircraft, like a car, is very important.

Here are some aircraft considered by the aviation community to be the most reliable based both on maintenance data and word of mouth:

Cessna 172
- This is the most flown aircraft in the world! And for a reason.
- The biggest reason is the reliable Lycoming engine and the fact that parts are easy to find (think of like a Honda or a Toyota for cars).
Piper PA-28 (Warrior/Archer)
- Similar to the 172 but a low-wing aircraft instead of a high-wing.
- Some people will plant their flag on the high-wing side or the low-wing side but it isn’t much of a difference. I trained in both and prefer to the high-wing but that’s just because I can see below me more often and I like that.
- PA-28s have a strong safety and reliability record
Diamond DA40
- Another common trainer aircraft with good durability record
- Low-wing aircraft
- The big difference between the other two is that this aircraft is a composite aircraft and is therefore less susceptible to corrosion over time than aluminum aircraft

Best for Cost

As I mentioned earlier… it is much more important to find a reliable aircraft that will be there for you when you need it and an instructor that you vibe well with and knows his/her stuff than it is to save a few bucks every hour on aircraft rental.

However, I understand money is an issue and if you save $10/$20/$30 or more per rental over your training… it can really add up.

The price of aircraft rental varies depending on where you are flying and the demand for the aircraft, but generally, the most affordable aircraft are:

Cessna 152
- The 2-seater, older counterpart to the 172
- An affordable option because of their age, lower fuel burn (less horsepower) and reliable maintenance history
Tecnam P2008/P92
- Very fuel efficient engines means less cost on fuel (4-5 gallons per hour)
- Also good on maintenance costs
Piper PA-28 (Warrior/Archer)
- Another affordable options similar to Cessna 172 (below)
- Reliable and fuel efficient for the horsepower
Cessna 172
- More expensive than the 152 but it has more horsepower. And compared to it’s horsepower peers, it is an affordable option.

Best for Safety

Safety is a huge component of flying and choosing an aircraft. No one wants an aircraft engine failing or flight controls jamming in flight.

Plus, it can help to assure our loved ones that we are training in one of the more safe options for aircraft. Aircraft are considered safe if they have a low accident rate, are forgiving in stalls, can glide really well (so if you lose an engine you can glide somewhere safe), have good visibility, and if they have new advanced safety features like collision avoidance, parachute systems, etc..

Cessna 172
- According to NTSB & AOPA these have a low accident rate of 0.56 per 100,000 flight hours
- Docile stall behavior, easy to fly and high-wing visibility of what is below you
- Good glide ratio
Diamond DA40
- According to NTSB & AOPA these have the lowest accident rate in general aviation of 0.35 per 100,000 flight hours
- Composite “crush” zone acts like a bumper/airbag on a car to lessen impact forces on occupants
- Low stall speed and great glide ratio (nearly over 10:1)
Cirrus SR20
- According to NTSB & AOPA these have an accident rate of 1.63 but with their CAPS activation this number is being reduced
- CAPS stands for Cirrus Airframe Parachute System and it is a parachute for the airplane! So if you can’t glide somewhere safe, you can slow to a certain speed and deploy the parachute to softly fall to the ground
Piper PA-28 (Warrior/Archer)
- According to NTSB & AOPA these have an accident rate of 0.73 per 100,000 flight hours
- Similar to Cessna 172 as it is easy to fly, docile stall behavior and good glide ratio
Sling TSI
- A newer brand with a good safety record so far. More and more flight schools are using Slings.

Best for Advanced Features

Advanced features can make an airplane safer but sometime less reliable. However, the main benefit to them is that they make a pilot’s job easier.

Things like glass cockpits with flight displays and GPS, or parachute systems, or additional instrumentation, designs or material innovations are all considered in this category and can make your life as a pilot easier.

Note: A lot of old/purist type pilots believe in the old school analog instruments and flight control systems because they make pilots have to understand and be more in tune with the aircraft while they fly. They believe it makes you a better pilot to learn on an old school aircraft. I tend to agree with this. However, we can’t just act like this technology doesn’t exist and doesn’t really help. I always recommend students learn the old school way before using the new technologies. This way, they understand how to use both and should the new tech fail… they are prepared.

Diamond DA40
- Comes with Garmin G1000 glass cockpits, sleek and modern composite design and built-in autopilots
Cirrus SR20
- Comes with G1000 or Perspective glass cockpit avionics, autopilot, and Flight Management System-style knobs similar to airline aircraft.
Sling TSI
- Comes standard with Garmin G3X Touch or Dynon SkyView avionics with a high quality build & high visibility cockpit

For Sport Pilot Students

Sport Pilots are required to fly in Light Sport Aircraft or LSAs. LSAs are aircraft that have a max takeoff weight of 1320 lbs (or 1430 if a seaplane), have a max airspeed of 120 knots, have fixed landing gear, are single non-turbine engines and have a maximum of 2 seats (1 passenger).

Students training for Sport Pilot will therefore fly in Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). Here is a breakdown of the best LSAs for pilot training.

Best for Reliability

If your aircraft is down for maintenance, this can be problematic… because you can’t fly! So it makes sense that having a reliable aircraft, like a car, is very important.

Here are some aircraft considered by the aviation community to be the most reliable based both on maintenance data and word of mouth:

Van’s RV12
- Rotax engines have proven reliability
- Aircraft uses simple systems and is widely recommended in aviation community
Evektor SportStar
- These aircraft are European built and known for their simplicity and rugged design
Tecnam P92/P2008
- Rotax engines have proven record of reliability
- Aircraft uses simple systems and is used commonly in training environments
Vashon Ranger R7
- Continental 0-200 engines have proven reliability
- Designed in US for flight schools

Best for Cost

However, I understand money is an issue and if you save $10/$20/$30 or more per rental over your training… it can really add up.

The price of aircraft rental varies depending on where you are flying and the demand for the aircraft, but generally, the most affordable aircraft are:

Van’s RV12
- Efficient fuel burn (~4 GPH)
- Low maintenance costs due to its simple systems
Tecnam P92
- Efficient fuel burn (~4 GPH)
- Also good on maintenance costs
Vashon Ranger R7
- Sightly less efficient (fuel burn ~6 GPH)
- But designed for affordably with its simplicity

Best for Safety

Safety is a huge component of flying and choosing an aircraft. No one wants an aircraft engine failing or flight controls jamming in flight.

Van’s RV12
- Has stable low-speed handling
- Great visibility & modern design features
- 13:1 glide ratio
Flight Design CTLS
- Similar to a Diamond DA-40 these aircraft have composite crush zones to reduce the force of impact to passengers
- Great stall characteristics
- 12:1 glide ratio
Tecnam P2008
- Great low-speed handling and a stable flight envelope
- Durable build
- 13:1 glide ratio

Best for Advanced Features

Advanced features can make an airplane safer but sometime less reliable. However, the main benefit to them is that they make a pilot’s job easier.

Van’s RV12
- Comes with Dynon SkyView glass cockpit that has integrated ADS-B, GPS and Autopilot
Flight Design CTLS
- Comes with dual Dynon glass panels, Autopilot and a very spacious modern cockpit for an LSA
Vashon Ranger R7
- Comes with full glass panel Garmin G3X

The number 1 way to ensure your success in becoming a pilot is by properly managing your time and money.

And the easiest way to properly manage your time & money is by doing ground school before it’s too late and ACTUALLY understanding the material

5 years ago I saw NO ONE mentoring unsuspecting students on the traps in flight training that was costing them $1000s.

This is why I created the Part Time Pilot Online Ground School.

The ground school was created with these ideas at the heart of our mission statement:

Mentoring students from start to finish
Providing content that saves time & money & provides a deep understanding

How does Part Time Pilot compare to other Online Ground Schools?

I went to the website of each of the Top 10 Online Ground Schools and gathered ALL the relevant info a student pilot like you needs to make an informed decision.

Things like cost, student ratings, lifetime access or not, types of lessons, bonuses included, scholarships included, support available and more.

Then, I lined them all up and compared them all in a single table so that student pilots could make the best, most informed decision on their training.

Click here to see comparison

What do you think is the Best Airplane for Students to Train in? Let us know!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the topic of the best airplane for flight training.

Is it worth buying an aircraft for flight training?

This is not a yes or no answer. It depends on your financial situation and long-term aviation goals. It’s true that it is possible that buying an aircraft can be a great financial and lifestyle choice to make but there are several things to consider:

Upfront Costs
- Aircraft cost a good amount. Older, lower horsepower options like a Cessna 152 can be found for as low as $50,000 but come with added risk and maintenance. Newer, higher horse power Cessna 172s, Sling TSIs, Cirrus SRs or Diamond DA40s can cost $150,000, $250,000 or even more.
Fixed Costs
- These are ongoing costs after you make the purchase that don’t change regardless on how you use the aircraft. Things like Hangar rentals, insurance, registration and required inspections are all costs to consider that can add up to $4000 to $16,000 or more depending on how you do it and where your aircraft is located
Variable Costs
- These are things that depend or vary based off how you use or how often you use your aircraft. Things like fuel, oil, maintenance, and instructor fees when training.
Usage & Long-term Goals
- The more you plan to use an aircraft you purchase, the more of a potential savings it becomes. For example, if you only plan to get a Private Pilot certificate and fly every few months it will take a long time to recoup the costs of buying the aircraft we just talked about. But, if you plan to use the aircraft to train for private and IFR and then fly it every week, it will start saving you money much quicker because of the rental costs you are saving each time you fly.
Maintenance
- Aircraft are required to meet ongoing maintenance standards. This adds an additional cost and time commitment to an aircraft owner who is responsible for the aircraft being in a safe and airworthy condition. So if you want to buy an aircraft, you need to be willing to add an extra time commitment or pay someone you trust to make sure the aircraft stays safe and legal.
Rental Opportunities
- Another way to recoup your money faster by buying an aircraft is to rent it out when you aren’t using it. Eventually, this can even start making you some money. However, depending on where your aircraft is located the rental opportunities may not be available. So you need to do the research prior to purchasing an aircraft with the desire of renting it out to get your money back faster.

What is the best aircraft for beginner pilots?

The best aircraft for beginning pilots is usually considered the one that is the most forgiving. What does most “forgiving” mean? Well, this has to do with the dynamic and static stability of the aircraft. In other words, when the aircraft is derailed from equilibrium in straight and level flight, will its natural design want to bring it back to equilibrium? Another key factor is how hard it is to stall the aircraft. Some aircraft are harder to stall (when flow over the wing of an aircraft separates at the critical angle of attack and lift is dramatically lost, causing the aircraft to drop in altitude quickly) while others are easier. When you are flying as a beginner, it is nice to know that your aircraft is less likely to stall on you while you are learning how to avoid stalls and fly safely.

The Piper PA-28 was designed from feedback from flight instructors in order to make the best and most forgiving trainer aircraft. Cessna aircraft, like the 172, is also very forgiving and known to be incredibly hard to stall… even when you are trying to stall it intentionally during training.

What is the best aircraft for bigger or taller people?

There are a few things to consider if you are a bigger, heavier or taller person who wants to find a good aircraft to fly in.

Weight and Balance. Every aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight and useful load that they can carry (total weight of occupants, fuel and baggage). You MUST stay within these limits and keep the center of gravity within its limits. So for heavier individuals it is key that you have an aircraft that has a larger useful load capability to hold yourself, your instructor and your fuel.
Fit & Comfort. The other thing to consider is if you fit. Cabins on many trainer and light sport aircraft can be extremely small and not very friendly for taller or larger individuals. You want to make sure the aircraft you fly has adequate cabin space.

Some aircraft that are good for taller or heavier people are ones with good horsepower and spacious cabins such as Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Piper PA28, Diamond DA40 or Cirrus SR22.

I recommend going to different flight schools that have these different aircraft in their fleet and asking them if you can sit in the cockpit as well as discuss the weight and balance for their aircraft with your weight included.

What is better; high-wing or low-wing?

I have flown both as have many pilots. One of the most common trainer aircraft is a Cessna 172, which is a high wing, while the other most common aircraft is a Piper PA-28, which is a low wing. I personally like the visibility below me of a high-wing but all pilots have different opinions.

High wing aircraft like a Cessna 172 are good for visibility below you which makes sightseeing, aerial photography and ground reference maneuvers easier. Due to the high wing, they are easier to get in and out of because you don’t have to step on the wing. They are better for bush flying because there is more ground clearance for the prop. And finally, the fuel system is considered more robust because it is gravity fed and can have an additional electrical pump for redundancy.

Low wing aircraft like Piper PA-28s or Diamond DA40s are good for visibility above you and during banks to your left and right. These aircraft often have cleaner aerodynamic design and less drag because there is no need for wing struts. And finally, low wing aircraft usually have more robust landing gear because they are integrated into the wing design for a wider and more stable stance.

Is a glass cockpit better than traditional instrument 6-pack?

Yes and no.

Traditional instruments that run off of the vacuum and pitot systems usually have less points of failure and are considered more robust. Learning to fly off of traditional 6-packs and less computer elements often leads to a better understanding of the aircraft systems and how they work.

However, newer glass cockpits are here for a reason. They make getting information while flying more efficient and easier to see. The clear screens, GPS and large displays allows for pilots to remove a lot of confusion from instrument readings.

I typically recommend student pilots learn off the traditional 6-pack before adding some training with a glass cockpit because, as I mentioned before, it helps them to understand their aircraft and the atmosphere around them better.

What are the rental rates for different airplanes?

The following rates are averages across the US and will vary from location to location. Typically in more urban areas the rates are higher than in rural areas. The rates below are also “wet” meaning it includes the cost of fuel and students don’t have to pay for the fuel they use on top of the rental rate:

Cessna 152
- $110 to $160 per hour
Cessna 172
- $140 to $220 per hour
Cirrus SR20
- $235 to $435 per hour
Diamond DA40
- $180 to $250 per hour
Sling TSI
- $180 to $250 per hour

For a total cost of flight training a student should also keep in mind the hourly rate of their instructors which can range between $40 to $90 per hour, ground school, gear and insurance.

Can I change aircraft in the middle of my flight training?

Yes! However, every new aircraft is going to take 2-3 flights to get the hang of, if not more. Even a different aircraft of the same type is going to have a different feel and balance in the air and will take some getting used to. Because of this, switching aircraft will likely cost you the price of a few extra hours of flying but it is certainly allowed to switch during training.