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Piper Cherokee Archer II
Misc: Flys exactly like a Warrior II except with slightly better climb characteristic and 2-3 knots faster airspeed. Engine cowling doesn't open like the Warrior so it is more difficult to check.
Piper Cherokee Warrior II
Control: elevator HEAVY (stabilator) but very effective. There is no control lock!
Pedal: Pedal range is short and insensitive in the air. The piper is not a good slipper. However, on the ground you can make easy tight turns without using your brake. This is one big plus over the Cessnas
Door: Door lock system is SUPERIOR over the Cessnas. You have a simple dual a latch & locking mechanism like that of the airlines. However, there is only one door making entrance and exit hard.
Fuel: Fuel selector can be either Left or Right, but never both. In my opinion this is a HORRIBLE design in terms of usability and safety. Many pilots go down because of forgetting to switch the fuel tank. This is easily solve with more research and development but Piper has yet to deal with this.
Stall: very forgiving. Rather than having a tendency to drop one wing, the Cherokee will "wobble" its way, not wanting to stall completely.
Ventilation: horrible on the ground. The pilot window is a tiny little 5" whole. It helps to use the hand to scoop some air.
Visibility Visibility is HORRIBLE during the climb and the descend. I'm 5'10" and I can barely see the engine cowl. I think the Cherokee's designed for people between 6'0" - 6'5" and no one else
Misc: I love the throttle control. Carb heat not needed most of the time, though it is not a bad idea to use it occasionally
Cessna 172N
Control: Much heavier than a 152, slightly lighter than a Warrior Responsive in the air, unresponsive on the ground. Typical Cessna!
Pedal: Has single latch which is much more secure than a 152, but still not as firm as a Warrior
Fuel: No fuel pump (heck it's a high wing). BOTH for TO & Lndg
Stall: Stall is slightly more forgiving than 152. It is pretty solid, nose does not dive as easily as a 152.
Door: Window can be popped easily during tax.
Ventilation: excellent on the ground and in the air.
Visibility Comparable to a Piper on straight and level flight.
Misc: Great for tour (can see the ground). Nose has a tendency to drop like a stone.
Cessna 152 II
Control: Light and easy
Pedal: Deep responsive rudder in the air. On the ground, it is very much useless. Heavy brake is needed for extremely tight turns-- typical of a Cessna
Door: locking mechanism is badly engineered. You can never be sure if the door is completely locked or not. I had a door popped once on take-off even though I made sure that it was tight
Fuel: Fuel selector is always BOTH
Stall: Typical of a high-wing. One wing will drop and if opposite rudder is not used you can go into a spin quickly
Ventilation: primitive but very effective. The window can be popped easily during taxing
Visibility Okay in a climb, HORRIBLE in a turn. Typical high-wing
Misc: Nice responsive airplane. It's like driving a nice little Japanese car