Used Aircrafts World will be starting a series looking at the ins and outs of individual airplanes on the market. To kick off this airplane exploration, we will start with the mighty Cessna 172 Skyhawk. The Cessna 172 is the most built airplane ever.

The Cessna Skyhawk is single-engine, four seater, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. Having started production in 1955, the Cessna 172 aircraft is still in production today to the delight of many pilots. There are a number of different Cessna 172 models, so be sure to check the specs of each individual plane before you buy. So what is so special about this little plane?



Brief History

The Cessna 172 began its life as simple tricycle undercarriage development of the taildragger 170. It had a fairly basic level of standard equipment. The overnight success of the plane helped to improve all aspects of the aircraft.

A list of major changes in models can be found below:

  • 172D introduced the cut down rear fuselage with wraparound rear window.
  • 172F introduced electric flaps and also formed the basis for the US Air Force’s T-41A Mescalero primary trainer
  • 172G Introduced a more pointed spinner
  • 172H was the last Continental powered 172
  • 172K had a redesigned vertical fin cap and reshaped rear windows
  • 172M gained a drooped wing leading edge for improved low speed handling
  • 172N was powered by a Lycoming O-320-H2AD, 160 horsepower (119 kW) engine
  • 172P was introduced in 1981 to solve the reliability problems of the “N” engine. The Lycoming O-320-D2J was a great improvement
  • 172Q Was equiped with a Lycoming O-360-A4N engine of 180 horsepower (134 kW)

    • Today’s Cessna 172 Skyhawk

    From spinner to tail, today’s Cessnas starts with a high-wing design that offers greater stability, improved visibility, sun blocking and inclement weather protection. This high-wing design also results in a simplified preflight inspection and easy access to pilot, passenger and cargo doors.

    Exterier

    The Cessna Skyhawk has rugged, shock-absorbing main landing gear that will help you grease the toughest airstrips. Hydraulically actuated disc brakes and a steerable nose-wheel design help make for controlled ground handling and maneuverability. The 172 Skyhawk comes equiped with a high-intensity discharge lamp. The lamp provides light discharge at five times the intensity of regular discharge lamps. They also last a lot longer while operating at far less power draw than traditional landing lights.

    Interior

    Today’s Cessna 172 Skyhwak features leather seats, advanced soundproofing, cabin air controls and enhanced multilevel ventilation. Today’s Cessna cabin is a a luxurious affair. It has been thoroughly refined.

    Flight Control

    The Cessna Skyhawk SP models come standard with the Garmin GFC 700 flight control system. It features airspeed hold, overspeed protection, pitch hold . The GFC 700 provides precise lateral and vertical guidance and capabilities formerly available only on the most sophisticated business jets.

    Synthetic Vision

    The Cessna Skyhawk SP features the Garmin’s G1000® Synthetic Vision Technology. This system will show the aircraft’s position in real-time 3-D images, giving you outstanding situational awareness even when flight conditions are less than outstanding. It displays synthetic terrain, flight hazards, flight-path markers and highway-in-the-sky, all on one easy-to-read avionics panel.

    XM Weather

    In addition to the functions you’ll likely use most often with the optional XM Weather program – textual and graphical METARS, TAFs, NEXRAD radar, and graphical winds aloft – you also get lightning, cloud tops, freezing levels, and TFRs, as well as many other textual and graphical weather products. All this valuable information is automatically sent to your aircraft via the XM Satellite System and updated continuously to provide you with a near real-time picture of conditions you’ll encounter – or avoid – during your flight. Want even a little more reassurance? Range rings estimating your range with reserves and maximum range based on current fuel flow and wind conditions are readily available.

    Engine

    The new Cessna Skyhawks features a 180 horsepower engine harnessed to a McCauley propeller. The plane engine has a maximum speed of 126 knots (234 km/hr), a max cruise speed of 124 knots (230 km/hr) and a 730 fpm (223 mpm) rate of climb.