Standard Cessna 172 vs TAA Cessna 172 Rental in 2026
The Choice
Two Cessna 172 Rentals, Two Different Cockpits
When you book a Cessna 172 rental at High Tide Aviation, you choose between two kinds of airplane. Our standard 172s rent for $195 per hour wet. Our technically advanced 172K, N79475, rents for $210 per hour wet. Wet means fuel is included in both rates.
Both are Cessna 172s, so the airframe feels familiar. The difference is in the panel and the engine. 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 carries a Garmin G3X Touch display, a G5 attitude indicator, a GTN 650, and a GFC 500 autopilot, with 180 horsepower.
The question is not which airplane is better. It is which one matches the flight you want to take. See each tail number on our fleet and rentals page.
Standard 172 vs TAA 172K: What You Get for the Rate
The table compares what a renter notices first: price, cockpit, and what is the same for every rental.
| What you care about | Standard Cessna 172 | TAA Cessna 172K (N79475) |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $195 per hour wet | $210 per hour wet |
| Cost of a two-hour flight | $390 | $420 |
| Fuel included in the hourly rate | ||
| Main display and navigation | Garmin GNX 375 with WAAS, or dual G5 displays with a Garmin GPS 175, depending on the airplane | Garmin G3X Touch display with a GTN 650 GPS/NAV/COMM |
| Autopilot | Ask us about each airplane | Garmin GFC 500 |
| Horsepower | 150 to 160 HP | 180 HP |
| Technically Advanced Airplane (TAA) | ||
| Checkout flight required before solo rental | ||
| Renter's insurance required |
Contact us to confirm current rates and availability. Avionics vary by tail number among the standard airplanes.
How to Choose
Choose the Standard 172 or the TAA by What You Want From the Flight
Choose a standard Cessna 172 if you want the lowest hourly rate, a familiar panel, and a straightforward airplane for local flights, coastal sightseeing, and keeping your skills sharp. Over a five-hour block, the standard airplane costs $975 against $1,050 in the TAA, which leaves room in your budget for more flying.
Choose the TAA 172K if you want a glass cockpit and an autopilot, you are building hours toward an advanced certificate, or you want to get comfortable with the kind of modern panel you may see in your next airplane. The extra $15 per hour buys a very different cockpit.
Before You Book
What Is the Same for Both Airplanes
Every rental, in either airplane, starts with a local checkout flight with a High Tide instructor. It typically lasts one to one and a half hours. You also need a valid non-owned aircraft insurance policy, and we partner with Avemco to make quotes simple at www.avemco.com/ht02.
Both airplanes are maintained by our in-house team of FAA-certified mechanics and dispatched from Southport, NC and St. Simons Island, GA. If your flying builds toward a certificate or rating, our financing options may help you spread the cost. Our guide to what a Cessna 172 rental costs shows how the rate, checkout, and insurance fit together.
Ready to Rent?
Pick Your Cessna 172 and Book Your Checkout
Call our Southport office at 910-294-5871 or send us a message. We will confirm current rates and availability, schedule your checkout flight, and help you choose between the standard 172 and the TAA 172K.
Talk to Our Rental Team