Summary
- The Cessna 172 Skyhawk has a 660 NM operational range with one passenger and a pilot, ideal for long-distance flights.
- It serves as a reliable and versatile aircraft globally, suitable for private transport and flight training.
- The type holds a remarkable safety record, with a lower fatality rate than industry standards.
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a single-engine high-wing aircraft designed and developed by Cessna, a Textron Aviation company. Capable of carrying four people, including the pilot, the aircraft performed its first flight in 1955 and provided private aviation service a year later. With over 44,000 units built, it remains the most successful private aircraft in history.
Cessna’s Skyhawk became a success within months of entering service. In its first full year of production, Cessna produced and delivered over 1,400 examples of the type. More than 70 years after the first unit was rolled out, Textron Aviation continues to make the 172s.
Cessna 172 operational range
| Number of people | Range |
|---|---|
| Two people (including the pilot) | 650 NM (750 miles, 1,200 km) |
| Four people (at capacity) | 440 NM (500 miles, 800 km) |
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk has an operational range of 660 NM with one passenger and a pilot. A two-person flight can travel nonstop between Denver and Indianapolis or Houston and Minneapolis. For a four-person (at capacity), the flying range is reduced to 440 NM.
The Cessna 172 has a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 2,450 lbs (1,110 kg). The four-cylinder Lycoming IO-360 horizontal opposed engine enables a cruise speed of 125 knots (140 mph, 225 km/h). The engine generates 160 horsepower (120 kW). The spacious cabin makes for a comfortable flight.
| Dimension | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Length | 27 ft 2 inches (8.28 m) |
| Height | 8 ft 11 inches (2.72 m) |
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Small piston-engine aircraft are prone to have a tight cabin and do not generally offer a comfortable ride. This is certainly not the case with Cessna 172. Its spacious cabin ensures plenty of room even when flying at capacity.
A private pilot’s dream
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is one of the few popular aircraft used by flight schools for pilot training. Whether acquiring a Private Pilot’s License or a Commercial Pilot’s License, most students around the globe train on the Cessna 172. The aircraft’s reliability, ease of use, and versatility enable student pilots to safely carry out the required maneuvers for the pilot training curriculum.
Photo: Irina Leoni | Shutterstock
Trainee pilots also benefit from the safety aspects of the 172s, including simplistic flight instruments, advanced displays, and overall aircraft handling. According to Textron Aviation,
“Nothing is more liberating than learning to fly. The CESSNA SKYHAWK piston is the most popular single-engine aircraft ever built and has achieved a reputation for being the ultimate training aircraft. With simplistic flight characteristics, great visibility and a sophisticated glass cockpit outfitted with GARMIN G1000 avionics, the Cessna Skyhawk piston boasts a slow landing speed and a lenient stall.”
The Cessna 172 is a versatile aircraft with various applications, including private transport, flight training, utility purposes, and special operations. Its tricycle landing gear and high-wing design provide the ultimate stability and control during flight. A high wing also means better side views for pilots, particularly those who are training to become licensed pilots.
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An impressive safety record
| Aircraft | Fatality rate |
|---|---|
| Industry standard | 1.2 to 1.4 crashes per 100,000 flights |
| Cessna 172 | 0.56 crashes per 100,000 flights |
Worldwide, large and small flight academies choose Cessna 172s (and 152s) for pilot training. One of the most renowned flight schools in the US, Epic Flight Academy, states,
“The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the top- rated single-engine flight training aircraft in the world. These four-seat, fixed-wing planes comprise the majority of Epic’s training fleet. We purchase new aircraft directly from Cessna, so our students enjoy state- of-the art avionics and equipment. More Cessna 172s have been manufactured than any airplane in history! When you train at Epic Flight Academy in a new Cessna 172, you’ll see why it’s the preferred training aircraft worldwide.”
Photo: Naj Ativk | Shutterstock
Even with its use with trainee pilots, the aircraft has a remarkable safety record. BAA Training suggests that the Cessna 172 has less than half the recorded fatality rate compared to the industry standard. There is no doubt that it is one of the safest planes to get trained on.
A world record holder
| Flight endurance (refueled) | 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes, 5 seconds |
|---|---|
| Flight dates | December 4th, 1958, to February 7th, 1959 |
| Airport (origin and destination) | Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Distance covered | 150,000 miles (240,000 km) |
| Distance equivalent to | Six times flying around the world at the equator |
| Record setters | Robert Timm and John Cook |
The Cessna 172 sports several world records, including the longest refueled flight endurance. In December 1958, two pilots set out to achieve the record for the longest flight lasting over two months. Pilots Robert Timm and John Cook flew a distance equivalent to traveling six times around the world at the equator (150,000 miles, 240,000 km). The aircraft was frequently refueled in flight by moving a truck closer to the ground.
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What are your thoughts on the historical significance and capabilities of the Cessna 172 aircraft? What is your most memorable encounter with the type? Share your experience in the comments section.
