VE5JL wrote:
Is there any one here flying a 172 using an autopilot?

I think on longer flights (3+ hours) and autopilot would be an advantage,
however there are some in the old school that think it is not necessary.

I'd like some opinions.

OK, here's mine.

An autopilot is not "necessary" in any airplane, as long as there's
someone on board capable of flying it manually.

Now, if the question were, "Is an autopilot convenient?", the answer is,
sure it is, regardless of the length of the flight.

You're gonna' get a lot of opinions about autopilots and single-pilot
IFR, yada, yada, yada, so...............let 'er rip.