Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: United States
Type: General Purpose Aircraft
Manufacturer: Cessna, Textron Aviation
Cessna 172 Skyhawk Aircraft Overview
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine aircraft manufactured by Cessna Aircraft Company. It is one of the most popular and widely used general aviation aircraft in the world. The Cessna 172 has been in production since the 1950s and has undergone various updates and improvements over the years.
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is known for its reliability, versatility, and ease of operation. It is primarily used for flight training, personal transportation, and recreational flying. The aircraft features a high-wing design, providing excellent visibility from the cockpit. It has a spacious cabin that can comfortably accommodate a pilot and three passengers.
The Cessna 172 is powered by a single piston engine and is equipped with a range of avionics and navigation systems. It has a cruising speed of around 120 knots (138 mph) and a maximum range of approximately 800 nautical miles, depending on the specific model and configuration.
The Skyhawk’s reputation as a safe and reliable aircraft, coupled with its forgiving flight characteristics, has made it a popular choice for flight schools and training organizations worldwide. It has also gained popularity among private pilots for personal transportation and recreational flying, thanks to its user-friendly nature and widespread availability of spare parts and maintenance services.
Overall, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a well-established and respected general purpose aircraft that has played a significant role in aviation training and personal flying for decades.
Cessna 172R Specifications
- Crew: one
- Capacity: three passengers
- Length: 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m)
- Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
- Wing area: 174 sq ft (16.2 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 7.32
- Airfoil: modified NACA 2412
- Empty weight: 1,691 lb (767 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,450 lb (1,111 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 56 US gallons (212 litres)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-360-L2A four cylinder, horizontally opposed aircraft engine, 160 hp (120 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed metal, fixed pitch
Cessna 172R Performance
- Cruise speed: 122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h)
- Stall speed: 47 kn (54 mph, 87 km/h) (power off, flaps down)
- Never exceed speed: 163 kn (188 mph, 302 km/h) (IAS)
- Range: 696 nmi (801 mi, 1,289 km) with 45 minute reserve, 55% power, at 12,000 feet (3,700 m)
- Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,100 m)
- Rate of climb: 721 ft/min (3.66 m/s)
- Wing loading: 14.1 lb/sq ft (68.6 kg/m2)
