Cessna 172

Cessna 172. The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft manufactured by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, it is the most successful aircraft in history, with over 44,000 units built. Renowned for its docile handling, reliability, and rugged construction, it has become the quintessential trainer aircraft for general aviation and is ubiquitous at flight schools worldwide.

Design and development

The aircraft was developed from the Cessna 170 as a tricycle-gear alternative, with initial design work led by engineers at Cessna. A key design change was the introduction of a swept-back vertical stabilizer and a new Omni-Vision rear window for improved visibility. The prototype, designated the Cessna 172, made its maiden flight in 1955. The design emphasized simplicity, utilizing a strut-braced high-wing configuration and a Lycoming O-320 air-cooled engine for ease of maintenance and stable flight characteristics. Production commenced in 1956 at the company's main facility in Wichita, Kansas.

Operational history

Since its certification, the Cessna 172 has seen continuous use across the globe in roles including primary training, personal transportation, aerial observation, and utility aviation. It is the primary trainer for organizations like the Civil Air Patrol in the United States and countless Federal Aviation Administration-approved flight schools. A modified Cessna 172, named the *Hacienda*, set the world record for the longest continuous flight in 1958, piloted by Robert Timm and John Cook. The United States Air Force employs a militarized variant, the Cessna T-41 Mescalero, for introductory flight screening. Its operational ubiquity is a testament to its role in training generations of pilots from Amelia Earhart's home field to airports in Australia and Europe.

Variants

Numerous variants have been produced, often distinguished by engine upgrades and avionics packages. The initial 172 was followed by the 172A, which introduced a revised tailfin. The 172F introduced a Lycoming O-300 engine. The 172M saw the last major airframe change with a lowered rear seat. Production ceased in 1986 but was restarted in 1996 with the 172R, featuring a Lycoming IO-360 engine and modernized panel for Glass cockpit options. Special models include the 172RG Cutlass with retractable landing gear and the Reims-built FR172 Rocket with a more powerful Continental engine. The current production model is the 172S Skyhawk SP.

Specifications (Cessna 172R)

* **Crew:** 1 * **Capacity:** 3 passengers * **Length:** 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m) * **Wingspan:** 36 ft 1 in (11.0 m) * **Height:** 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) * **Empty weight:** 1,691 lb (767 kg) * **Gross weight:** 2,450 lb (1,111 kg) * **Powerplant:** 1 × Lycoming IO-360-L2A air-cooled flat-four engine, 160 hp (120 kW) * **Propellers:** 2-bladed McCauley fixed-pitch * **Maximum speed:** 123 knots (142 mph, 228 km/h) * **Cruise speed:** 122 knots (140 mph, 226 km/h) * **Stall speed:** 47 knots (54 mph, 87 km/h) * **Range:** 696 nmi (801 mi, 1,289 km) with reserve fuel * **Service ceiling:** 13,500 ft (4,100 m) * **Rate of climb:** 720 ft/min (3.7 m/s)

Notable appearances in media

The Cessna 172's iconic status has led to frequent appearances in film and television. It is famously featured in the opening sequence of the television series *Fantasy Island*. A pivotal scene in the film *The Great Waldo Pepper* involves aerial stunt work with the aircraft. The documentary *Living in the Age of Airplanes* prominently features the type to represent personal flight. It has also appeared in episodes of *MythBusters* and numerous aviation-themed programs on networks like the Discovery Channel. Its familiar silhouette makes it a common visual shorthand for general aviation in news media and entertainment.

Category:Aircraft Category:Aviation