Cessna 172

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_172

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing,
fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955,
more 172s have been built than any other aircraft.

Measured by its longevity and popularity, the Cessna 172 is the most successful
aircraft in history. Cessna delivered the first production model in 1956 and as
of 2015, the company and its partners had built more than 44,000. The aircraft
remains in production today.

The Skyhawk's main competitors have been the Beechcraft Musketeer and Grumman
AA-5 series (neither currently in production), the Piper Cherokee, and, more
recently, the Diamond DA40 and Cirrus SR22.

The Cessna 172 started life as a tricycle landing gear variant of the
taildragger Cessna 170, with a basic level of standard equipment. In January
1955, Cessna flew an improved variant of the Cessna 170, a Continental
O-300-A-powered Cessna 170C with larger elevators and a more angular tailfin.
Although the variant was tested and certified, Cessna decided to modify it with
a tricycle landing gear, and the modified Cessna 170C flew again on 12 June
1955. To reduce the time and cost of certification, the type was added to the
Cessna 170 type certificate as the Model 172. Later, the 172 was given its own
type certificate, 3A12. The 172 became an overnight sales success, and over
1,400 were built in 1956, its first full year of production.

Early 172s were similar in appearance to the 170s, with the same straight aft
fuselage and tall landing gear legs, although the 172 had a straight tailfin
while the 170 had a rounded fin and rudder. In 1960, the 172A incorporated
revised landing gear and the swept-back tailfin, which is still in use today.

A variant of the 172, the T-41 Mescalero was used as a trainer with the United
States Air Force and Army. In addition, the United States Border Patrol uses a
fleet of 172s for aerial surveillance along the Mexico-US border.

The Irish Air Corps uses the Reims version for aerial surveillance and
monitoring of cash, prisoner and explosive escorts, in addition to army
cooperation and pilot training roles

Role
Civil utility aircraft

National origin
United States

Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company

First flight
12 June 1955

Introduction
1956

Status
In production

Produced
1956–86, 1998–present

Number built
44,000+

Unit cost

172: US$8,700 (1956)
172R: US$274,900 (2012)
172S: US$307,500 (2012)


Developed from
Cessna 170

Variants
Cessna T-41 Mescalero

The basic 172 appeared in November 1955 as the 1956 model and remained in
production until replaced by the 172A in early 1960. It was equipped with a
Continental O-300 145 hp (108 kW) six-cylinder, air-cooled engine and had a
maximum gross weight of 2,200 lb (998 kg). Introductory base price was US $8,995
and a total of 4,195 were constructed over the five years.

Specifications (172R)

General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: three passengers
Length: 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
Wingspan: 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m)
Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
Wing area: 174 sq ft (16.2 m2)
Aspect ratio: 7.32
Airfoil: modified NACA 2412
Empty weight: 1,691 lb (767 kg)
Gross weight: 2,450 lb (1,111 kg)
Fuel capacity: 56 US gallons (212 litres)
Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-360-L2A four cylinder, horizontally opposed aircraft
engine, 160 hp (120 kW)
Propellers: 2-bladed metal, fixed pitch

Performance
Cruise speed: 122 kn (140 mph; 226 km/h)
Stall speed: 47 kn (54 mph; 87 km/h) (power off, flaps down)[84]
Never exceed speed: 163 kn (188 mph; 302 km/h) (IAS)[11]
Range: 696 nmi (801 mi; 1,289 km) with 45 minute reserve, 55% power, at 12,000
ft
Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,100 m)
Rate of climb: 721 ft/min (3.66 m/s)
Wing loading: 14.1 lb/sq ft (68.6 kg/m2)

Avionics

Optional Garmin G1000 primary flight display




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