Cessna Skyhawk (N61610)

Sad that that's probably a $100K+ airplane now (used...new it's over a quarter of a million). In the 80s I was renting C-172s for $35/hr ($55/hr wet). Looks very well maintained. Beautiful shot of what is basically a utilitarian aircraft. I'd be proud to own it.

Nice plane, fun hobby…back in the day…rich guys’ play toy today.

Brings back memories, and yes at $35-$45 an hour. Took my check ride in a N-model in the early 80's. Flew a M-model with 180 HP Constant speed prop, made this a true fun airplane. Remember a controller asked me if I could make a quick departure to make it clear for following commercial departing traffic. Yea, that was fun. He was a little shocked at how fast and high I was when I departed at half field at about 200 ft. after about a 300 ft. roll. He thanked me. Loved that airplane.

Between 1974 and 1978, I had the keys to a friends 172 with unlimited access. I logged the duration of each flight in the plane's log, set the prop in the horizontal position for refueling and payed $25.00/hr wet once each mont. Flying then cost me about as much as it costs me today to drive a full size car.