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How many separate checkouts with a CFI make reasonable sense for the various C-172 Configurations?

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Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

How many separate checkouts make reasonable sense for the various C-172 Configurations?

I completed two separate aircraft checkouts with a CFI so I could rent a carb vs a fuel injected C-172. That makes sense. Same repeat story with a steam gauge vs a G-1000 equipped TAA C-172.

So I am now renting at a different Flight School. It is a new ball game, and not all lucky C-172 combinations of features are available.

Aside from the preceding categories, is it reasonable to require separate check outs for:

C-172’s equipped  with O-320 vs O-360 vs O-300 engines.

C-172’s with electric vs pre 1964 Johnson Bar Flap Controls.

Earlier straight tail (taller landing gear) vs later swept tail (lower landing gear) 172’s.

Again, I am at a new flight school and trying to minimize the number of separate “check outs” needed to be able to rent the broadest range of C-172’s for VFR only recreational daytime flying. I understand the priority on safety, but it should be tempered with a degree of reasonableness. A vintage shot gun instrument panel vs more recent 6 Pack instrument configuration shouldn’t be an issue for a PPL or above. Or should it ?

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2 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Mar 29, 2024

    I’ve seen separate checkouts for carbureted, fuel-injected, and G1000 variants. Yours seems like overkill, but may be based on experience.

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  2. PedroThePilot on Mar 29, 2024

    Hi Mark,

    Thanks for the input. You wrote:

    ” I’ve seen separate checkouts for carbureted, fuel-injected, and G1000 variants ”

    I totally agree with all that you wrote. I did exactly that, but as I said, I am now renting at a different flight school and everything is reset to zero.

    I’m basically facing a situation where if I check out in a VFR Steam Gauge 180 HP Carb O-360 C-172L I still can’t rent an older straight tail VFR steam gauge 172.

    The older 172 has a shotgun panel, manual flaps, O-300 Carb engine, and slightly different landing gear. That’s the rule for all renters, and not just a lowly 250 hour PPL.

    I was just asking here on the Board because there are so many experienced pilots, both CFI’s and renters, who kindly questions.

    As an aside, at yet another flight school where I rented an older C150F model with shot gun VFR panel and 40 degree manual flaps, I was being asked to complete a separate check out to be able to rent a C150M with 30 degree electric flaps and 6 Pack VFR panel. I politely declined.

    They finally relented, and I was able to rent both planes based on my single C-150F rental check out.

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