Great info everyone, many thanks. He fully intends to get his instrument rating, and his wife is also learning though she intends to get private only. They took their first flight lessons this week on the same day. It's fun to see new enthusiasm.

The airplane would be based in Wisconsin...hardly known for hot climates! But in summer, it can and does get downright uncomfortable. AC is more of a nice to have item I guess but I know they would really like having it. Any climb penalty would be happily accepted in the name of comfort.

Couldn't agree more that an intensive checkout would be necessary. They are doing their training in 172s. But if there ever was a family with a mission for a six, this is it.

Have Bartelt Aviation in Sturgis, MI do the inspection. They are THE PA32 expert in the US.

I bought mine brokered through them.