Cessna 177

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cessna 177 Cardinal
Cessna 177 Cardinal
Type: Light aircraft
Design country:

United StatesUnited States United States

Manufacturer:

Cessna

First flight:

July 15, 1966

Commissioning:

1968

Production time:

1968-1988

Number of pieces:

4294, of which 1543 177RG

The Cessna 177 (also Cessna Cardinal ) is a light aircraft produced by the American manufacturer Cessna in Wichita (Kansas) .

technical features

The machine is a single-engine shoulder -wing monoplane that offers space for four people. It is not about the further development of an existing type, but a “clean sheet design” based on a completely new airframe . The unique features of the machine are the pendulum elevator , a very large, strongly swept vertical tail that differs in shape from the other single-engine Cessna aircraft , the very flat windshield and large, cantilevered wings with laminar profile , which are set far back and which, with some changes, are different from the stronger and bigger Cessna 210were taken over. Except for the first version from 1968 with a fixed chassis and an engine output of 150 hp (110 kW), all models have a controllable pitch propeller . The RG models (rectractable gear) have a retractable gear .

history

Cockpit of the Cessna 177

When Cessna presented the 210G Centurion with a strut-free trapezoidal wing in 1967 (which, in addition to a slightly increased speed, above all gave the aircraft a new, modern look), in the eyes of the Cessna engineers it was time to introduce the successful Cessna Skyhawk (Cessna 172) to be replaced by a modern successor. The construction of the new model initially had the working title "J-Bird" (a derivative of the designation Cessna 172J). In addition to a completely new cell, the new trapezoidal wing of the Cessna 210 (with laminar profile and without struts) was used with slight changes. In order to improve the view of the pilot in the new Cessna 177, the wing was set much further back than was the case in the Cessna 172. In order to enable a very large center of gravity, the Cessna 177 was the only Cessna aircraft to use a large pendulum elevator (stabilizer) set very far back . The maximum take-off weight of the first C 177 was 1077 kg. A Lycoming O-320 with 150 hp and a non-adjustable propeller initially provided the drive . Due to the weak motorization, the very expensive production (and the resulting high sales price) as well as problems in handling the machine, the Cessna 177 could not prevail against the Cessna 172 - whose production was continued.

Until 1978 the Cessna 177 "Cardinal" (named after the cardinal bird, see Cardinals ) was built as a high-priced niche product in continuously improved versions. The version 177A (from 1969) and 177B were equipped with a fixed chassis and a variant of the Lycoming O-360 with 135 kW (180 PS). From 1970, a controllable pitch propeller and a modified airfoil were used in the 177B, and the early teething problems were almost completely eliminated. From 1971 a version with retractable landing gear, the C 177RG (Retractable Gear = retractable landing gear) was built, which was also produced under license in Reims, France . The "RG" is powered by a Lycoming IO-360 engine with 200 HP and a "Constant Speed" propeller. In terms of performance, the Cessna 177RG is located between the Piper PA-28 "Arrow" and the lighter Mooney models (with a maximum of 200 hp).

A total of 2,751 machines with fixed landing gear and 1,366 (1,543 including 177 license builds from Reims) with retractable landing gear were produced by the year 1978 from the Cessna 177. The production of the RG took place both in Wichita (USA) and in the Cessna licensed plant in Reims (France); the fixed landing gear versions were only produced at Cessna in Wichita.

The Cessna Cardinal is today a popular and comparatively fast touring aircraft, both in the FG version (fixed gear = non-retractable landing gear) and in the RG version. A global club "Cardinal Flyers Online" connects many owners and pilots all over the world. Due to its exclusivity (relatively small numbers, very modern and elegant appearance, comparatively high flight performance), the "Cardinal" has a certain special status within the Cessna products.

Technical specifications

Parameter Data Cessna 177B Data for Cessna 177 RG (from model year 1976)
crew 1-2 1-2
Passengers 2-3 2-3
length 8.44 m 8.44 m
span 10.82 m 10.82 m
height 2.62 m 2.62 m
Wing area 16.2 m² 16.2 m²
payload 280 kg (with full tank) 468 kg / 1032 lbs (RGII)
Empty mass 680 kg 801 kg / 1768 lbs (RGII)
Fuel capacity 189 l / 50 gallons 227 l / 60 gallons
Max. Takeoff mass 1100 kg 1270 kg / 2800 lbs
Cruising speed 230 km / h 274 km / h / 148 kts (in 7,000 ft at 75% power)
Top speed 250 km / h 288 km / h / 156 kts (at sea level)
Rate of climb 4.27 m / s 925 feet / min (at sea level at maximum take-off weight and ISA conditions)
Service ceiling 4450 m 5212 m / 17,100 ft
Range 1120 km 1657 km / 895 NM (maximum, without reserve)
Engines a four-cylinder boxer engine Lycoming O-360-A1F6D with 135 kW (183 PS) a four-cylinder Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D boxer engine with 149 kW (200 PS)

See also

Web links

Commons : Cessna 177  - collection of images, videos and audio files
Commons : Reims F177  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Rod Simpson: The General Aviation Handbook . Midland Publishing, Hinckley (UK) 2005, ISBN 1-85780-222-5 , p. 84.
  2. FliegerRevue July 2009, p. 67, collection series - Cessna
  3. Cessna Pilot Operating Handbook, 1976, Cessna 177 RG