The knobster is a wonderful little thing.
Air Manager + Knobster + touch screens is basically the ultimate control without actually buying units like the RealSimGear GNS units.
In your case, you have a dedicated C172 cockpit. So while Air Manager is definitely a good addition, you don’t get the full potential of it since you have all the FIPs to display your flight info. But you can still use it for whatever you want.
In my case, I fly several different planes. 2 15" monitors plus an iPad running SpaceDesk (using as a wireless monitor for my sim computer) plus air manager give me everything I need.
For my beloved C172, I run the main instrument panel on one of the screens. I had a bit of space so also included the GMA 340 audio panel into this panel. My knobster activates any of the knobs on the different gauges in said cluster.
My GNS530 is on the second monitor at slightly larger than life size, along with a few other controls such as fuel valve, fuel selector, trim indicator and flap indicator. All knobs on the GNS are also activated by my Knobster.
The GNS 430 and transponder are on the iPad on the side table, also fully Knobster enabled. This allows for a 100% mouse and keyboard free operation of my aircraft.
For G1000 planes, it’s similar. I have the PFD and audio panel on the left screen, and the MFD on the right. The iPad has other controls like parking brakes, trim indicator, flap indicator, etc.
In this image, this was the ‘generic’ setup on the day I got my second 15" touch monitor. I’ve since started creating custom panels for the different G1000 planes I fly with the backup instruments and such. For many of the G1000 planes, this is also a mouse and keyboard free experience. Although there are a few odd planes (C208 like DA62) that have specific functions for which there are no key binds nor SimConnect variables. Those still require mousing around the virtual cockpit.
I also have a setup I’m still messing around with for the TBM 930 and the G3000. Sadly, Asobo’s touch support is pretty broken atm, so that requires extensive use of the mouse and / or keyboard.
My ultimate long term goal is to set up something a little more permanent vs this “mobile” setup that I can move away from my desk when not in use. I will likely build a standalone cockpit setup with a separate computer, a 48" TV as my monitor, and have my touch monitors and iPad mounted in a more permanent fashion.
This is my intermediate setup. I have all the hardware I need now and it’s as functional as it can be, limited only by Asobo at this point.