Cessna 172

Everyone wonders why, even in 2019, the Cessna 172 remains the world's most-produced aircraft in history. The surge in demand for Cessna-made aircraft was so extensive that by the mid-1970s, Cessna had manufactured 100,000 single-engine planes, effectively eliminating their competition.

The Cessna 172 (also known as the Skyhawk) is the most popular of all the Cessna models built today, and it is still considered the model aircraft for private aviation use and the most flown aircraft in the world.

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing, fixed-wing aircraft manufactured by Cessna Aircraft Company in the United States. Since their first flight in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft type. It was based on the 1948 Cessna 170 but had tricycle landing gear instead of conventional. The Skyhawk name was first applied to a trim package but was later applied to all standard-production 172 aircraft, with some upgraded versions marketed as the Cutlass.

History of the Cessna 172 SkyHawk

The most surprising fact is that the competitors of the Cessna 172, such as Beechcraft, Piper Cherokee, and the Musketeer, are no longer in production, but the 172 aircraft has withstood the test of time. The presence of the Cessna 172 aircraft enhances the history of general aviation from a geek perspective.

The Cessna 172 has been flown by more people for business and pleasure than any other aircraft in the world. Today, charter services and flying schools still use over 40,000 Cessna 172 Skyhawks. 

Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an aircraft manufactured in 1955 by Cessna Aircraft Company (American Based Aircraft Company) and owned by Cessna Circa from 1956-present. Newer models of the 172 are in high demand because they are affordable, easy to fly, and ideal for a small family today. The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is unquestionably one of the best aviation aircraft in the world, and thousands of pilots worldwide adore it for its dependability and endurance.

Operational history

World records

Robert Timm and John Cook set the world record for (refueled) flight endurance in a used Cessna 172, registration number N9172B, from December 4, 1958, to February 7, 1959. They set out from McCarran Airfield in Las Vegas, Nevada. They returned after covering an estimated 150,000 miles in a flight that took 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes, and 5 seconds, more than six times the distance covered by flying around the planet at the equator. The flight served as a fundraiser for the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund. The aircraft is displayed at McCarran International Airport in Nevada, near Las Vegas, in the United States of America. 

If you want to see this aircraft fly, visit Earls Colne Airfield in Essex.

Facts About Cessna 172 Skyhawk

Developed Using Several Engines

The 172 was built with a plethora of different engines. The Continental O-300 was used by the first. The Lycoming O-320 came next (many different variants of this engine). The O-360 Lycoming engine. Finally, there's the Lycoming IO-360.

With So Many Variants, It's the Highest Light-Sport Aircraft

The basic 172 was introduced in November 1955 as the 1956 model and lasted in production until early 1960, when the 172A replaced it.

It had a Continental O-300 six-cylinder, air-cooled engine with 145 horsepower (108 kW) and a maximum gross weight of 2,200 pounds (998 kg). The initial introductory price was US$8,995, and 4,195 homes were built over five years. The 172 has about 23 variants that were built in alphabetical order.

When fully charged, you can fly for up to six hours

In favourable weather, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk can fly for up to five or six hours with the fuel tanks fully loaded. This equals travel between Stockholm and Amsterdam at 110 knots (or 200 km/h) — without stopping for refueling if conditions are ideal.

In 1962, the name "SKYHAWK" was coined

Cessna planned to create a deluxe version of the 172 to sell alongside the primary type for the new 1961 model. As a result, the deluxe version was dubbed "Skyhawk." The term "Skyhawk" did not first appear on the scene until 1960.

The term "Skyhawk" still refers to the luxury variant, whereas the Cessna 172 represents the primary type. However, most people don't realise the difference and assume all 172s are Cessna 172 Skyhawks.

You may argue that the 172 and the Skyhawk are two different planes. The standard model is the Cessna 172, while the luxury model is the Skyhawk. For the most part, though, Cessna 172 and Skyhawk are interchangeable.

The Best Plane for Flight Training

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an excellent training and instructional aircraft with dependable flight characteristics. It all comes down to the Cessna 172Skyhawk being the most popular student pilot choice for flight instruction.

Cessna 172's General Contribution to General Aviation

It is not fast, but it is simple and consumes little fuel. Its low operating costs, combined with its legendary dispatch. It's not sexy, but it's functional, simple to fly, and ideal for getting into and out of short, rough fields.