Much like the Piper Cherokee in nature, the Cessna 172 is the Cessna family plane. It is a four seat, braced high wing aircraft with 145 hp. It has a cruise of about 105-110 knots and can climb between 500 and 800 feet per minute. It flies and handles much like a 152, with many of the same associated problems and benefits, but has higher control forces and is much larger overall. It is the usual step up for most pilots from the 152 for obvious reasons, such as a larger cockpit and 2 more seats and a faster cruise. Like the Cherokee, it can hold 3 adults or full tanks due to weight restrictions, but has a little more payload to play with making this less of a problem. It was designed to have mom, dad and the two kids. Still docile and forgiving, this plane is great for training for bigger people, gaining flight experience, or as a transition for larger more complex aircraft. This is a great all around aircraft for anyone who wants to fly cheap and take friends with them.

The T-41 trainer is a standard Cessna Model 172 light general aviation aircraft purchased "off-the-shelf" by the Air Force for preliminary flight screening of USAF pilot candidates. The first 170 T-41As were ordered in 1964, and an additional 34 were ordered in 1967. Most went into service at various civilian contract flight schools, each located near one of Air Training Command's Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) bases. In 1968 and 1969 the USAF Academy acquired 52 T-41Cs, with more powerful engines, for cadet flight training.

Our T-41A was the first aircraft to be used as a trainer by the USAF.