(thing) by weasello Tue Oct 30 2001 at 4:48:07
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.
I like it!