As a piper driver i have to disagree with you DX Wombat
Give me a good old Cessna 152 anyday. It may not be stylish or fast but it is far more comfortable, easier to heat up or cool down, get in and out of and the high wing provides some shade from the sun.
Cherokee's and Tommies are much wider than the 152! heating has never been a problem but i'm mostly upfront, but is the VIZ thats key for me, i have never forgotten going from flying a tommie to a blat in a mates 172 on the same day and realising what i couldn't see! ok the viz straight down to the sides is v-good but i like the heads up view the low wings give. although Cherokee's are a b'stard to get in and out of... i'll give you that.
Back on thread.... small fire my orse. if you were the front two pax you'd be on the wrong side of smoky, still says something for carrying a fire extinguisher with you. 100% skill in getting that down before he/she cooked! well done!