Where to Rent a Cessna 172: Southport, NC and St. Simons Island, GA in 2026
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High Tide Team
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8 min read
If you want to rent a Cessna 172, one of the first things to settle is where the airplane actually sits. The right base depends on which stretch of coast you call home, and it helps to know before you drive to the airport.
At High Tide Aviation, we dispatch Cessna 172 rentals from two places: Southport, North Carolina and St. Simons Island, Georgia. This guide covers what each base offers, what to expect on a flight from either one, and how a pilot in Wilmington or anywhere else along the coast can plan a first rental.
Our Southport base at Cape Fear Regional Jetport.
Two Coastal Bases Where You Can Rent a 172
Every rental we offer is dispatched from one of two airports. Here is how they compare at a glance:
| Base | Airport | What you will see from the air |
|---|---|---|
| Southport, NC | Cape Fear Regional Jetport (KSUT) | Cape Fear River, Oak Island beaches, Bald Head Island lighthouse |
| St. Simons Island, GA | McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport (KSSI) | Barrier islands, salt marshes, sandy beaches |
Both bases are non-towered airports, so you will use the shared radio frequency to sequence your own arrivals and departures. That is routine for pilots who trained at small fields, and your checkout instructor will walk you through the local procedures on your first flight, including how traffic flows at that particular airport and which frequency to use.
Renting From Southport, NC
Our flagship base sits at Cape Fear Regional Jetport (KSUT) in Southport. The field has a single asphalt runway, Runway 5/23, that measures 5,505 feet long by 100 feet wide. It sits in Class G airspace, with controlled Class E starting at 700 feet above the ground, and it has GPS/RNAV approaches to both runway ends. Our guide to flying into Cape Fear Regional Jetport goes through the details.
A flight from KSUT puts you over the Cape Fear River, the Oak Island beaches, and the lighthouse on Bald Head Island within minutes of takeoff. Atlantic sea breezes often ask for active crosswind correction, which makes Southport a good place to keep your stick-and-rudder skills sharp.
Our Southport location page shows how to find us, and our maintenance team works on the ramp every day. Because FAA-certified mechanics maintain the fleet in house, we spend less time waiting on outside shops and more time with airplanes ready for you.
Renting From St. Simons Island, GA
Our Georgia base operates from McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport (KSSI) in the Golden Isles, at 1731 Demere Road. The airport has no control tower, so pilots use the CTAF to coordinate. The Aeronautical Information Manual explains how non-towered operations work, and it is a good read before your first visit.
A rental flight from KSSI takes you over barrier islands, salt marshes, and sandy beaches. The mild winter climate keeps flying open for much of the year, so a rental sign-off here can turn into steady flying through the cold months. See our St. Simons Island location page for the setting and directions.
What About Wilmington?
If you live in or near Wilmington, you may wonder whether we rent there. We have a training base at Wilmington International Airport (ILM), and it is a good place to learn. Solo aircraft rentals, however, are dispatched only from Southport and St. Simons Island.
For many Wilmington pilots, that works out well. Southport is a manageable drive from the Wilmington area, and you can pair a rental with the coastal scenery that makes the trip worth it. Many pilots turn the first rental into a half-day outing, with a morning flight and lunch on the waterfront afterward. If you are still earning your certificate, our Wilmington location page explains how training works there.
How to Rent Your First Cessna 172 From Either Base
The process is the same at both locations. It has four steps, and most pilots finish them in a few days:
- Pick your base. Choose the airport that fits your drive and the flying you want to do.
- Get renter’s insurance. You need a non-owned aircraft policy before you fly solo. We partner with Avemco, and pilots connected to High Tide can start at www.avemco.com/ht02.
- Schedule a checkout flight. A High Tide instructor flies with you for about one to one and a half hours to cover local procedures, airwork, and landings.
- Book your airplane. Once your instructor signs off your rental privileges, you can reserve a 172.
Our Cessna 172 rental and checkout guide covers the checkout flight in full, so you know what to expect before you arrive at the ramp, and our post on what a Cessna 172 rental costs breaks down the hourly rate.
Which Airplane Will You Rent?
Our rental fleet includes standard Cessna 172s at $195 per hour wet and a technically advanced 172K at $210 per hour wet. Wet means fuel is included. The standard airplanes carry avionics that range from a Garmin GNX 375 with WAAS to dual G5 displays with a Garmin GPS 175. The TAA 172K carries a Garmin G3X Touch display, a G5, a GTN 650, and a GFC 500 autopilot.
You can browse tail numbers, panels, and photos on our fleet and rentals page. Contact us to confirm current rates and availability for the airplane and base you want. If you are weighing the two airplane types, the standard 172s suit pilots who want a simple, familiar panel, and the TAA 172K suits pilots who want a glass cockpit and an autopilot to learn on.
Planning a Flight That Fits the Coast
A rental near the water is a pleasure to fly, whether you are building proficiency or just taking a friend up for the view, and a little planning makes it a better one. Coastal weather changes fast, so a few habits go a long way:
- Check the winds. Sea breezes can build in the afternoon, so many pilots fly in the morning when the air is calmer.
- Watch for marine layers. Early fog can linger near the coast. Look at the forecast and give yourself a margin.
- Study the airports. Review both bases in the FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge for airport operations, weather, and airspace basics.
- Budget the whole trip. Add the hours you plan to fly, the insurance you need, and any financing you use. Our financing options can help if your flying builds toward a larger goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I rent a Cessna 172 from High Tide Aviation?
We dispatch Cessna 172 rentals from Southport, NC and St. Simons Island, GA. Contact us to confirm current availability at each base.
Can I rent a Cessna 172 in Wilmington, NC?
We train at Wilmington International Airport (ILM), but solo rentals are dispatched only from Southport and St. Simons Island.
Do I need a checkout before I rent?
Yes. A local checkout flight with a High Tide instructor comes first. It typically lasts one to one and a half hours, and your instructor signs off your rental privileges when you show safe, proficient flying.
What does a Cessna 172 rental cost?
A standard 172 rents for $195 per hour wet, and our technically advanced 172K rents for $210 per hour wet. Wet rates include fuel.
Do I need my own insurance?
You need a non-owned aircraft (renter’s) insurance policy. We partner with Avemco, and you can get a quote at www.avemco.com/ht02.
Can I rent if I am still a student pilot?
Rental privileges depend on your certificate and your checkout. Talk with us about your training stage so we can match you with the right next step.
Book Your Rental From Southport or St. Simons Island
Ready to fly from Southport or St. Simons Island? Call our Southport office at 910-294-5871 or contact us to choose your base, schedule your checkout flight, and confirm current availability. Tell us where you live, how much flying experience you have, and what kind of trip you want to take, and we will help you pick the airplane, the airport, and a first flight date that fits your calendar.
