For company history and information on the earlier Cessna models, check out the Cessna node.
Cessna 172-K "SkyHawk"
GROSS WEIGHT ......................... 2,300 LBS
SPEED:
Top Speed at Sea Level ............. 139 mph
Cruise, 75% Power at 9000 ft ....... 131 mph
RANGE:
Cruise, 75% Power at 9000 ft ....... 615 miles
38 gal. No Reserve 4.7 hours
117 mph
RATE OF CLIMB AT SEA LEVEL ........... 645 FPM
SERVICE CEILING ...................... 13,100 ft
TAKE-OFF:
Ground Run ......................... 865 ft
Total Distance Over 50 ft Obstacle . 1,525 ft
LANDING:
Landing Roll ....................... 520 ft
Total Distance Over 50 ft Obstacle . 1,525 ft
EMPTY WEIGHT: (Varies w/equipment) ... 1,245 lbs
BAGGAGE: ............................. 120 lbs
WING LOADING: (lbs/sq ft) ............ 13.2
POWER LOADING: (lbs/HP) .............. 15.3
FUEL CAPACITY:
Total* ............................. 42 U.S. gals
Useable* ........................... 38 U.S. gals
OIL CAPACITY**: ...................... 8 U.S. quarts
PROPELLER: Fixed Pitch (diameter) .... 76 inches
ENGINE: (Lycoming) 150 rated HP at 2700 rpm, 0-320-E2D
PRINCIPLE DIMENSIONS:
Gear Seperation .................... 7'2 "
Propeller Max Diameter ............. 6'4 "
Centerline to Chord ................ 8'4 "
Tail span .......................... 11'4 "
Wing span .......................... 36'2 "
Length ............................. 26'11"
Height*** .......................... 8'9.5"
* Weight of unuseable fuel is included in empty weight
** Weight of oil is NOT included in empty weight
*** Maximum height of airplane with nose gear depressed and an optional flashing beacon installed.
History: The Cessna 172 (and models thereof) are the
best-selling aircraft of all time. Known for their
reliability,
dependability, and ease of flight, they are accepted for use as
trainers,
business vehicles, and
recreational vehicles. Their exceptional handling in 'dangerous' situations also makes this plane one of the safest.
That's right. This is the perfect plane.
Appearance: Almost everyone has seen this airplane; either flying over their house on a
sunny afternoon, or lined up row upon row at an
airport. They sport a single engine on the front of a boxy cabin, with a large tail and top-mounted wings. The whole
shibang usually seats 4 with room for cargo, and is mounted on a
tricycle landing gear.
Reputation: Cessna happened to stumble upon the best aircraft design, and
mass-produced it. The Cessna 172 handles well in a stall, without a tendency to either get into a deep spiral or a spin. It is more difficult to put a Cessna into a spin than other planes of it's type, and it is very easy to pull out of one. And these are features built into the design of the aircraft; they are not automatic computerized controls that make this magic happen. It is, quite simply, the superior construction of the airplane.
Similar: The
Cessna 182 is often confused with the 172. This is mainly due to the fact that the two planes are almost identical in appearance.