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2 Answers

Transition options from C172

Asked by: 4184 views , , , ,
General Aviation, Private Pilot

I'm a 250-hour private pilot with 90% of my time in 172's. I want to step up to something higher performance, but I also want to be sure that I'm not taking stupid risks or aiming for anything too far beyond my abilities.  

I'm limited by the available rentals in my area, but I think I have three possible paths:

First, the 182 - this seems like the safe and logical step for a 172 pilot. Only thing I don't like about it is the price tag: the rental 182's I have access to are about 50% more expensive than the 172's I've been flying, yet the performance boost is relatively modest.

Second option is the Cirrus path. I recently spent an hour with a CFI in an SR20 and was impressed. This option is also expensive - but on a cost per mile basis, it's not really that different than the 182. 

Third option is an Arrow. It's old, small and has steam gauges, but it's the only complex aircraft on my list. Long term, putting some retractable hours in the logbook seems like a good idea. It also happens to be the least expensive option, and there are several of them around, making them easier to schedule. 

My goal is to find something I can be safe and happy with instead of bouncing from one aircraft type to another. I've flown the 182 and SR20 (and will fly the Arrow soon) - both felt comfortable to me, but it's hard to know what you don't know. This leaves me with three questions: 

  • What path would you guys recommend for a pilot like me, and why?
  • How many hours do you think a dedicated, average skilled pilot should take to make any of these transitions? 
  • Are there other options I might not be thinking of? 

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2 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Dec 28, 2016

    It really doesn’t matter. There’s a lot to be said about the familiarity of the 172 to 182 transition, but the reality is it’s more like switching car models than you think.

    If you think back to when you first began driving, I’ll bet the first time you drive something unfamiliar, it felt really weird. As you became more experienced, the transitions became easier as your experience led you to recognize the huge similarities and focus in the few differences,

    At this stage, it’s more about the quality of transition training and your own level of patience and ability to deal with things that are a little different (generally, not just in aviation). From my perspective, nothing you have mentioned should be beyond your ability. Go for the one (or ones – I was checked out in 4 different make.models within a month or two after I got my private) that appeals to you.

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  2. Skyfox on Jan 09, 2017

    I’d say go up with a flight instructor in each of the planes to not only decide which one you like best, but also to get an instructional checkout in them to help you with any transitioning difficulties. But really, it’s not hard at all to get used to flying a plane that has a little more power, or going from high wing to low wing, etc. (Note that you’d need an endorsement to step up to high performance and/or complex.)

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