Table Of Content

The Cessna 172 owes its popularity, among other factors, to a simplicity in design that brings affordable maintenance and high availability rates. Due to its ubiquitous status, it is also incredibly easy to find A&P mechanics who have the first-hand experience servicing the 172 series. This plane has a similar interior design with either four or six seats, but a twin-engine design allows for more power and speed.
Question: How much does a new Cessna 172 cost today?
If you are curious how the Cessna 172 matches up in terms of speed with other models, here is a chart for reference. The 172P, or Skyhawk P, was introduced in 1981 to solve the reliability problems of the "N" engine by replacing it with the Lycoming O-320-D2J. The 1968 model marked the beginning of the Lycoming-powered 172s. Given the 182’s advanced systems, specific maintenance tasks might be more intricate and, consequently, more expensive.
Cessna 172 Specifications And Features
The evolution of these popular planes makes it easier to get more speed, horsepower, safety, and performance over time. All performance figures are based on standard day, standard atmosphere, sea level, gross weight conditions unless otherwise noted. Where is the zero lift drag coefficient, is a constant and represents the lift dependent drag.
Anti-icing and De-icing Systems for Aircraft- Options and How They Work

The 172L, sold during 1971 and 1972, replaced the main landing gear legs (which were originally flat spring steel) with tapered, tubular steel gear legs. The "L" also had a plastic fairing between the dorsal fin and vertical fin to introduce a greater family resemblance to the 182's vertical fin. Engine and propeller combinations here are many, with trade-offs that fit different needs. Many early models received 180 hp engines that increased consumption by 25% but also severely improved high-altitude and short take-off performance, a non-negotiable gain for pilots operating in such environments. In terms of pilot comfort, unlike low-wing aircraft, ground visibility is unobstructed.
The initial models have lap belts that are hardly as safe as you need them to be, while from the 1970s onwards, the shoulder harness installed is famously uncomfortable. The most common solution to these is inertial reel shoulder harnesses, which bring the Cessna 172 to modern safety standards without compromising on crew comfort. Despite being in production for over half a century, the Cessna 172 has not seen a revolution in terms of performance, but some changes have occurred because of structural redesigns or powerplant changes. For many years, owners had to contend with relatively small tanks, with long-range fliers requiring either factory-installed or aftermarket auxiliary tanks at an additional cost and loss of space. Learn all about planes and pilots, and even how to fly, with SkyTough. We'll explore the ins and outs of the sky and how to travel through it.
Wingspan
Cessna 172 Skyhawk – The Cessna 172 is designed with practicality and efficiency in mind. Its cabin can comfortably accommodate four passengers, making it suitable for personal trips, flight training, or short business journeys. The Cessna 172, affectionately known as the “Skyhawk,” first took to the skies in 1955. Designed as a successor to the earlier Cessna 170, the 172 quickly established itself as a reliable and easy-to-fly aircraft, making it an instant favorite among flight schools and private owners. In this example, the time to climb is essentially the same, you'll only burn about 2% more fuel, and you'll have over 7% faster forward airspeed. With this scenario, you only lose 65 feet-per-minute climb rate, in exchange for 13 knots more airspeed.
Its high wing design incorporates the advantages inherent to this design choice, most of which make the Cessna 172 especially suited for the role of pilot training. The increased distance from the ground helps shorten the landing run as it is not as strongly affected by the ground effect. The Skyhawk is an inherently stable aircraft thanks to the high wing, as it places the center of mass below the center of lift. This aircraft provides a top speed of 717 miles per hour with a range of nearly 4,000 miles. This plane is better equipped for long-distance flying, with increased interior space for bigger parties. The Skyhawk name was originally used for a trim package, but was later applied to all standard-production 172 aircraft, while some upgraded versions were marketed as the Cutlass.
The Reims Rocket led to Cessna producing the R172K Hawk XP, a model available from 1977 to 1981 from both Wichita and Reims. This configuration featured a fuel-injected, Continental IO-360K (later IO-360KB) derated to 195 hp (145 kW) with a two-bladed, constant-speed propeller. Imagine having an all-knowing oracle in your pocket, providing real-time market level supply and demand for aviation parts. Analyze and illustrate your own data with customized dashboards. The pivotal question for potential buyers revolves around their intended use of the aircraft.
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Cessna delivered the first production model in 1956, and as of 2015[update], the company and its partners had built more than 44,000 units.[1][4][5] The aircraft remains in production today. High speeds correspond to small values of coefficient of lift and vice versa. If you’re going a really long distance, it may burn so much fuel that you won’t make it!
The Supplemental Airplane Flight Manual has a Cruise Performance table similar to the one provided in the original POH, but it does not include cruise airspeeds! Furthermore, I often fly around at gross weights less than 1900 lbs. What will be the impact on airspeed and fuel consumption with the higher horsepower engine at reduced gross weights? In this post, I show how to make cruise performance charts for any weight or altitude, and how to estimate the performance of the modified aircraft with the 180 hp engine. Shown in Figure 4 is just such a table, constructed for a gross weight of 1900 lbs, and for an installed engine power of 180 hp. I have omitted the RPM data, and used the same percent powers as appeared in the original table (12.5% greater power than in the original table).
Preparing for a Cessna 172 flight requires proper planning and an understanding of the aircraft. Before takeoff, you should know critical factors like total range, top speed, and the plane's capacity. The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a popular fixed-wing aircraft with decades of flight experience and impressive top speed for its compact size and design. The Skyhawk R was introduced in 1996 and is powered by a derated Lycoming IO-360-L2A producing a maximum of 160 horsepower (120 kW) at just 2,400 rpm. This is the first Cessna 172 to have a factory-fitted fuel-injected engine.
Due to its longevity, reliability, and popularity, the Cessna 172 is as close to an insurer’s favorite as you can get. AOPA’s operating cost calculator lists an insurance price of around $1,200 per year for standard coverage. This value was based on a 1975 Cessna 172M with a Lycoming O-320-E2D with several upgrades, fit for both VFR and IFR operations.
No comments:
Post a Comment