Cessna 172

Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP (2010)
Type:	Light aircraft
Design country:	United States
Manufacturer:	Cessna / Textron Aviation
First flight:	June 12, 1955
Commissioning:	1956
Production time:	1956 to 1986 in series production again since 1997
Number of pieces:	more than 44,000

Cockpit of a Cessna 172 (2010)

Cessna 172 Hawk XP of the airline LFH (2009)

The Cessna 172 (also Cessna Skyhawk ) is a four-seat, single-engine light aircraft produced by the US aircraft manufacturer Cessna . It is the most built type of aircraft in the world.

technical features

The machine based on the Cessna 170 B is a robust and good-natured four-seat light aircraft that was built from 1956 (1,170 units alone) to 1986 by Cessna and under license from Reims Aviation in France. After that, production was suspended until 1997 due to American product liability laws, which provided for exorbitant insurance premiums.

It is in the series of single-engine shoulder - wing planes : in addition to the two-seat Cessna 150/152, there is also the partially aerobatic version "Aerobat", the more powerful Cessna 177 Cardinal, Cessna 182 Skylane, the six-seat Cessna 210 Centurion, the six- to eight-seat Cessna 206 and Cessna 207 Stationair and the large turboprop Cessna 208 Caravan (14-seater) or Grand Caravan (16-seater). The 150/152, the 177, the 207, the 210 and the models not mentioned here are no longer manufactured.

Skyhawks are available with engines from 145 to 180 hp (108 to 134 kW) and cruising speeds of 105 to 135 knots (195-250 km / h), the minimum speed is 45 knots (84 km / h). The service ceiling is 13,500 feet (4,115 meters) and thus just above the flight altitude of 13,000 feet (3,962 meters), from which additional oxygen or a pressurized cabin is required according to the operational regulations for aviation equipment (LuftBO). The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is comparable to the Cessna 172 . As the Reims FR172 Rocket, it was also built (only in France) with a 210 HP (155 kW) Continental injection engine. On June 6, 2017, the US aviation authority FAA and EASA approved the 172 JT-A as a new aircraft with a Continental diesel engine of 155 PS (114 kW).

The 172RG Cutlass version has a retractable gear (RG) and a controllable pitch propeller . The variant R172K Hawk XP with 195 HP (145 kW) also has a controllable pitch propeller. A conversion with floats for use as a seaplane is also available for the Cessna 172 .

commitment

The Cessna 172 is used worldwide as a training aircraft for pilot training. Due to its maneuverability and slow flight characteristics, in connection with comparatively low operating and maintenance costs, the C 172 is often viewed as the classic “club aircraft”. It is mainly operated by flight schools, clubs and private individuals. Because of the good-natured and safe flight characteristics, the model is also often used for chartering (renting).

The various models of the C 172 series are also used intensively for special tasks such as search and rescue services (especially in the USA by the " Civil Air Patrol "), pipeline and powerline control flights, as well as aerial photography flights. Like the slightly larger Cessna 195 and Cessna 206 , the Cessna 172 is also used as a seaplane in the USA, Canada and Europe .

Special missions with media response

The Cessna 172 Hacienda , with which Timm and Cook set the long-term flight record in 1958/59, at McCarran International Airport (2006)

A Cessna 172 was used in 1958/59 to set a long-term flight world record, which still exists. On December 4, 1958, Robert Timm and John Cook took off in a used Cessna 172 with registration number N9172B from McCarran Airfield in Las Vegas, Nevada. After 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds, they landed again on February 7, 1959 at McCarran Airfield. The necessary fuel was taken every day at low altitude from a Ford pick-up driving under the aircraft , further supplies with a cable winch.

On May 28, 1987, the then 18-year-old Mathias Rust flew illegally from Helsinki to Moscow in a Cessna 172P . His landing near Red Square was videotaped by a tourist and made headlines around the world.

Engines

The following engines are used in the Cessna 172 series:

• Lycoming : O-320-E2D, O-320-H2AD, O-320-D2J,
• Teledyne Continental : O-300-A, O-300-B, O-300-C, O-300-D
• Thielert Aircraft Engines: Centurion 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0s

Flight performance

The flight performance is heavily dependent on the engine, which is between 107 and 154 kW (145–210 hp). The Cessna 172 is a touring aircraft that can quickly reach the limits of its capabilities when operated with four people and a weak drive. The situation is similar for comparable aircraft. It may then no longer be possible to completely fill the tanks without exceeding the maximum take-off weight . This leads to a reduction in the range. The climb performance also suffers, which can be critical and must be taken into account, especially when taking off on short runways. When operating with z. B. two people and luggage are not to be expected with restrictions, however, as with all aircraft, attention must be paid to the correct weight distribution.

When cruising, a speed of 95 to 120 kn (176–222 km / h) can be achieved, depending on the altitude and engine power. The aviation fuel consumption is strongly dependent on the built-in engine and the speed.

The six-cylinder injection engines of the type Continental IO-360 H, 210 PS (155 kW) used in the FR172 Reims Rocket consume approx. 40–42 liters of aviation fuel per hour at a travel performance of approx. 120 kn (222 km / h).

The six-cylinder O-300 engines with 145 PS (108 kW) from earlier years of construction (until 1972) consume, similar to the newer four-cylinder engines with 160 PS (119 kW) approx. 32–35 l / h (e.g. O-320 from Lycoming).

When the tanks are full, the planes can remain in the air for about 4 to 5 hours with a reserve.

Versions

Cessna 172 H Reims (2011)

172

First basic version from November 1955 with an air-cooled six-cylinder Continental O-300 engine and a maximum take-off weight of 998 kg. Starting price was $ 8,995 and by the time the 172A was replaced in 1960, 4,195 had been built.

172A

The 1960s Model 172A had swept tail and rudder rudders and other improvements. The price was now $ 9,450. A total of 1015 units were built.

172D

The 172D (1963) got a lowered fuselage back and a large rear window, which significantly improved visibility. The maximum take-off weight has been increased by 23 kg to 1044 kg compared to the 172C. 1011 pieces built.

172RG Cutlass / Turbo Cutlass

Starting Cessna 172 RG2 Cutlass with retracting landing gear (2020)

Version from 1980 with electrically retractable landing gear, controllable pitch propeller and 195 HP (145 kW) Lycoming O-360 engine. It was intended as a transition version to the Cessna 182 and was not very successful due to its additional price of 20,000 US dollars compared to the standard model (which, however, hardly offered any weaker performance). Many flight schools in the USA use this version because the special requirements for experience for a complex aircraft as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration were met in order to acquire a commercial pilot license. From 1983 a turbo version with Lycoming O-540 with 175 kW was also offered. By the end of production in 1985, 1,191 machines had been built.

FR172 Reims Rocket

Version with six-cylinder injection engines Continental IO-360H with 210 PS (155 kW) output. The Rocket series with 210 hp engine was built exclusively by Reims-Aviation (formerly Holste-Aviation with a 51% share, Cessna 49% share) in France from 1967 and specifically for the needs in Europe (Alpine flights and short airfields ) as well as adapted to African bush conditions. Reims manufactured a total of 590 Rockets in the variants FR172E to FR172J from 1967 to 1978. The Continental IO-360 engine used in the Rocket was originally used in the military version of the Cessna 172, the US military aircraft T-41B Mescalero , and was not intended to compete with the parallel Cessna 182 series. However, the Europeans prevailed over the Cessna parent plant with the desire for more powerful engines. Even your own standard approved transport couches can be taken along for the rescue of accident victims when the two right seats are removed. In the statistics, the Cessna Rocket shows the fewest accidents among all common single-engine four-seater vehicles. This illustrates an advantage of a high-wing aircraft with its large distance from the wing to the ground, which towers over long grass and even low bushes on unpaved areas.

172S

The 172S model was introduced in 1998; it is the only model currently in production.

Special versions

Reims-Cessna F172M Skyhawk with TP 100 propeller turbine (2019)

Turboprop version

The Czech manufacturer PBS has equipped a Reims-Cessna F172M Skyhawk with its TP 100 propeller turbine .

Military users

A Cessna 172S of the Iraqi Armed Forces lands at the Kirkuk military airfield (2008)

•  Bolivia : 3 172K
•  Chile : 18 R172K
•  Ecuador : 8 172F + 1 × 172G
•  Guatemala : 6 172K
•  Honduras : 3
•  Iraq :
•  Ireland ( Irish Air Corps ): 8 FR172H, 1 × FR172K
•  Liberia : 2
•  Madagascar ( Armée de l'Air Malgache ): 4 172M
•  Austria : 1
•  East Timor : 1 172P
•  Pakistan : 4 172N
•  Saudi Arabia : 8 F172G, 4 × F172H, 4 × F172M
•  Singapore ( Republic of Singapore Air Force ): 8 172K

USAF production

Acceptance of the T-41 by the USAF:

version	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	TOTAL
T-41A	1	169		34			7th								211
T-41A Peru			26th												26th
T-41C				26th	19th		7th								52
T-41D MASF						4th	16	8th	3						31
T-41D MAP					34	40	8th	30th	48	5	5		4th		174
T-41D El Salvador														3	3
TOTAL	1	169	26th	60	53	44	38	38	51	5	5	0	4th	3	497

Technical specifications

Three-sided view

Parameter	Cessna 172 P	Cessna 172 RG Cutlass	Cessna 172 S.
crew	1
Passengers	3
length	8.20 m	8.36 m	8.28 m
span	10.97 m		11.0 m
height	2.86 m	2.68 m	2.72 m
Wing area	16.17 m²		16.2 m²
Empty mass	779 kg	815 kg	781 kg
Max. Takeoff mass	1089 kg	1198 kg	1157 kg
Max. Landing mass	1089 kg	1198 kg	1157 kg
Cruising speed	210 km / h / 113.4 kn	250 km / h / 135 kn (in 6000 feet)	230 km / h / 124 kn (at 8500 feet)
Top speed	233 km / h / 125.8 kn	300 km / h / 162 kn	233 km / h / 126 kn (at sea level)
Rate of climb	223 m / min / 731.6 ft / m		230 m / min / 730 ft / m (at sea level)
Service ceiling	4115 m / 13500 ft	5334 m / 17500 ft	4267 m / 14000 ft
Range	1130 km / 610 nm	1910 km / 1031 nm	1182 km / 638 nm
Engines	a Lycoming O-320 with 160 PS (119 kW)	an Avco Lycoming O-360 -F1A6 with 180 PS (134 kW)	a Textron Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 PS (134 kW) at 2700 rpm

The Cessna 172P of the "Kremlin pilot" Mathias Rust from 1987 with the registration D-ECJB in the German Museum of Technology Berlin (2012)

See also

• List of aircraft types

literature

• John Andrade: Militair 1982. Aviation Press, 1982, ISBN 0-907898-01-7 .

Web links

Commons : Cessna 172  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Commons : Reims F172  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Commons : Reims FR172 Rocket  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Cessna Aircraft Company
• EASA-TCDS-A.051 (PDF; 215 kB) - Type certification of the Cessna 172
• Cessna 172 Skyhawk
• Details in the virtual aviation museum

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Flight International, June 20, 2017 (English), p. 24.
2. ↑ 60 years of the VW Beetle of the Skies , NZZ, August 18, 2017, page 54
3. ↑ § 21 LuftBO - single standard. Retrieved October 7, 2019 . 
4. ↑ FAZ.net
5. ↑ Steven W. Ells: Endurance Test, Circa 1958 - 150,000 miles without landing in a Cessna 172 . In: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (Ed.): AOPA Pilot Magazine . No. 3 , 2008 ( AOPA [accessed July 14, 2019]).
6. ^ Nina Adler: Kremlin aviator Mathias Rust - The hussar piece. Spiegel, May 26, 2017, accessed January 13, 2020 . 
7. ↑ Source: Equipment data sheet No. 539 and 539a from the Federal Aviation Office
8. ^ ^{A b} Bill Clarke: The Cessna 172. TAB Books, 1987, ISBN 0-8306-0912-1 , pp. 31-97.
9. ^ Rod Simpson: The General Aviation Handbook, Hinckley 2005, pp. 83, 96
10. ↑ Motorflugunion Klosterneuburg
11. ↑ PBS - Aero Friedrichshafen 2016. Moravian Aerospace Cluster, 2016, accessed on February 2, 2020 (English). 
12. ↑ TP100 TURPOPROP ENGINE. (PDF; 0.3 MB) PBS Velka Bites, accessed on February 2, 2020 (English). 
13. ^ ^{A b} Andrade 1982, page 27
14. ^ Andrade 1982, page 45
15. ^ Andrade 1982, page 57
16. ^ Andrade 1982, page 95
17. ^ Andrade 1982, p. 97
18. ^ Strategy Page: Iraq Seeks Cessna Solution. February 2008, accessed February 19, 2008 . 
19. ^ Andrade 1982, page 61
20. ^ Andrade 1982, p. 147
21. ^ Andrade 1982, p. 151
22. ↑ GoTech
23. ↑ Timor News: Dili aero oferse aviaun ida ba F-FDTL , May 25, 2018 , accessed on May 25, 2018.
24. ^ Andrade 1982, p. 172
25. ^ Andrade 1982, p. 189
26. ^ ^{A b} Taylor, John: Jane's Pocket Book of Military Transport and Training Aircraft , page 67. MacMillian Publishing Inc, 1974. Library of Congress 73-15288
27. ^ Andrade 1982, p. 193
28. ↑ Statistical Digest of the USAF 1964, pp. 58 f .; 1965, pp. 60 f .; 1966, p. 115 f .; 1967, p. 122 f .; 1968, p. 132 f .; 1969, p. 111 f .; 1970, p. 107 f .; 1971, p. 102 f .; 1972, p. 154 f .; 1973, p. 52 f .; 1974, p. 48 f .; 1975, p. 52 f .; 1976, p. 80 f .; 1977, p. 55 f.
29. ↑ The Private Pilot School - Airplanes
30. ↑ FliegerRevue September 2009, p. 67, data sheet
31. ↑ Skyhawk SP Specification and Description. (No longer available online.) In: Cessna.com. June 12, 2007, archived from the original on March 7, 2008 ; Retrieved March 9, 2008 .