Ask any pilot and they will tell you what kind of plane they learned to fly in. No matter how many other aircraft you may pilot, that first trainer will always have a special place in your heart and your logbook.
Although the airplane or helicopter you learn to fly in if often based upon your flying goals and your budget, trainers are very forgiving to fly and are more tolerant of a beginner's mistakes.
The most common four-seat trainers tend to be costlier than their two-seat counterparts, but you won't have to transition or “move up” from your trainer when you want to take family and friends for a ride. These aircraft also tend to be capable of flying farther and faster, and often have more advanced avionics that will help if you later decide to earn your instrument rating.
Basic two-seat trainers are solid little airplanes with just enough room for you and your instructor. The cockpits are small, but these aircraft make learning to fly as easy as possible while keeping your flying cost low. Two-seaters that qualify as light sport aircraft may be used for training for your sport pilot certificate.
Cessna 172: The Cessna 172 is one of the most common airplanes used by flight schools and is a very common instrument training aircraft. Different models of the Cessna Skyhawk include newer 180-horsepower and 160-hp airplanes with fuel-injected four-cylinder engines.
Since Cessna 172s are a very popular rental model, when you master flying a Cessna 172, you'll find you can fly from almost any fixed base operator (FBO).
Piper Cherokee/Warrior: Many pilots have spent their formative flight hours in the four-seat Piper Cherokee or its successor, the Warrior. Although Cherokees are less common within the training fleet today, Piper Warriors can be found at many flight schools. Like the Cessna 172, Cherokees and Warriors are two of the most common private aircraft and popular rentals.
Cirrus SR20/SR22 While more expensive to rent than the Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior, the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 offer an appealing combination of speed, comfort and modern features—including composite construction. Known as “the airplane with the parachute,” they have garnered a strong following.
Cessna 150/152: It has been said that since then end of World War II, more pilots have learned to fly in the Cessna 150 or 152 than any other type of airplane. They're so easy to fly and reliable that they're often affectionately called the Land-O-Matic, a term coined by Cessna in its old marketing campaigns.
Diamond DA20: With a piston-engine and composite construction, this aerodynamic trainer offers wraparound cockpit visibility, fighter jet-like entry and stick control, stable flight characteristics and modern avionics.
Piper Cub: Although no longer in production, generations of pilots fell in love with aviation flying low and slow in J-3 Cubs with the doors and windows open in flight. You may still see this aircraft in use as a tailwheel trainer.
American Champion Citabria: This airplane is commonly used for tailwheel and aerobatic training along with its close cousin, the Decathlon.
Flight Design CTLS: This German-designed aircraft has been a top seller in the light sport aircraft category and features excellent visibility and fuel efficiency. With a 30-gallon fuel capacity, it can travel more than six hours between fuel stops.
Tecnam Eaglet: A roomy cockpit and sleek Italian design, coupled with solid handling and a tough frame, have given this high-wing light sport aircraft high flyability reviews among sport pilot students.
Van’s RV-12: This reliable pilot trainer features a low-wing, fixed-gear design that is relatively fast, efficient, mechanically simple, responsive, and versatile.
Robinson R22: This exceptionally engineered helicopter is the most widely used helicopter in the flight training industry.
Schweizer 300CB: This helicopter offers great visibility and the pilot (seated in the traditional right sight for helicopters) can look back and see the main rotor drive assembly and the tail rotor. The cabin is wide and comfortable, allowing the largest of students plenty of elbow room.