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| The Cessna Model 170 and its immediate successors of the same family have the double distinction of being the best-selling series of lightplanes of all time, and also the most widely produced aircraft series yet developed, well over 30,000 examples having come off the production lines by the 1980s.
The origins of the series stretch back to 1948, when Cessna introduced the Model 170, itself little more than a four-seat, re-engineered development of the earlier Model 120. The Model 170 proved popular, but the type's real success started in 1953 when Cessna introduced the Model 170B: this was powered, like its predecessor, by the 108kW Continental CO145-2 air-cooled piston engine, but incorporated the slotted Fowler flaps pioneered for Cessna's Model 305. With these efficient flaps the field and low-speed performance of the Model 170 were improved radically, and all subsequent Cessna aircraft of the type have been designed round similar flaps.
In 1955 the company developed the Model 172, which was essentially a Model 170B with detail improvements and the tailwheel landing gear replaced by a spatted tricycle unit. The improved ground safety of the new variant proved immediately attractive, and in 1956 some 1,170 Model 172s were sold, compared with a mere 174 of the Model 170B, whose production was terminated.
In 1958 Cessna brought into production the Model 175. This was in effect the latest version of the Model 172 with a number of improvements (free-blown windscreen, glassfibre speed fairings, etc) and a 131kW GO-300-C geared engine driving a constant-speed propeller. In 1959 a de luxe version of the Model 175A was introduced as the Skylark, but the Model 175 / Skylark type was dropped from production in 1963.
At the same time as the de luxe version of the Model 175 appeared as the Skylark, a similar de luxe version of the Model 172 was introduced under the name Skyhawk. Further improvements were made in 1960, with the provision of a new rear fuselage (slimmer and with rear windows) and a stylish swept vertical tail. These modifications were also applied to the Skyhawk and the Skyhawk II, which featured yet more comprehensive equipment, adding sophisticated navigation and communication equipment to blind-flying instrumentation found in the Skyhawk. In March 1956 Cessna announced a new Model 182, which was an addition to the standard fixed-gear family, but powered by a 172kW Continental O-470-S. It was available in Standard, Skylane and Skylane II versions.
Since that time there has been continuing development and several changes and versions available in 1982 included the Model 172 Skyhawk and Skyhawk II, the Cutlass RG and Cutlass RG II which is basically a Model 172 With retractable landing gear, the Model 182 Skylane/Skylane II which is available also in Turbo Skylane and Turbo Skylane II with a 175kW Avco Lycoming O-540-L3C5D turbo-charged engine, and in Skylane RG and Skylane RG II and Turbo Skylane RG and Turbo Skylane RG II retractable landing gear equivalents.
The Model 172 also appealed to the US military and in July 1964 the US Air Force ordered 170 standard Cessna 172Ks powered by 134kW Continental O-360 engines for the Air Academy, and these were designated T-41A. In August 1966, the US Army bought 255 Model R172Es fitted with the more powerful 157kW IO-360D fuel injection engine, as the T-41B Mescalero. These were followed by similarly powered T-41Cs for the US Air Force, and export version, designated T-41D, for a number of other air forces under the Mutual Air Programme. Total production of the military T-41 series reached 864 built between 1963-83, and by the end of 1987 production of the 170, 172, 175 and 182 Models had reached over 60,000 including their civil and military derivatives.
| MODEL | Turbo Skylane RG |
| ENGINE | 1 x ) Avco Lycoming O-540-L3C5D flat-six turbocharged piston engine, 175kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 1406 kg | 3100 lb |
| Empty weight | 815 kg | 1797 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 10.92 m | 36 ft 10 in |
| Length | 8.72 m | 29 ft 7 in |
| Height | 2.72 m | 9 ft 11 in |
| Wing area | 16.16 m2 | 173.94 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 346 km/h | 215 mph |
| Cruise speed | 320 km/h | 199 mph |
| Ceiling | 6095 m | 20000 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 1909 km | 1186 miles |
| Warren, e-mail, 01.12.2010 18:29 I have owned my 172K (1969) for 30 years. Its been a great bird! When I get into a discussion about which is superior "high" wing or "low" wing, I metion: "Where did GOD put the wings on the birds!" reply | | John Kluenker, e-mail, 19.10.2010 22:30 Re: Cessna 175 My family has owned a 1958 Cessna 175 (straight tail with Continental GO-300) since 1994. It has been an incredible aircraft for all of us and I am a huge fan of 175's. She has gotten me out of sticky situations in the mountains on multiple occasions. If the engine is operated as intended, the combination of 175hp with the large diameter prop produces excellent climb performance compared with a 172. The other day, with two people on board and full tanks, we were at 12,000 feet in less than 20 minutes. Flew an 8.3 hour trip and burned 8.5 GPH on average. Never had a problem with the engine or with excessive fuel /oil consumption. Fantastic airplane with an undeserved poor reputation!!! reply | | Gustav Z. HOLDOSI, e-mail, 16.10.2010 13:31 We operate actually 3 172-Reims-Rockets with 210HP-engine and are very happy about. Two of them are for IR-training, one for VFR-operation.
The VFR-Rocket is operated with an engine "on conditíon" - with more than 2.800 hours (!) (yearly statement from this engine is from our authority requested)and it runs excellent without problems!
There exists no better aircraft with this performance. reply | | Michael Shore, e-mail, 14.10.2010 16:04 In my early years of flying, flying the 175 made me feel on top of the world. I was powerful and had a good feel to it. But, as stated it did have its problems. I had a fuel leak in one at one time and a fire broke out in the cowling. Otherwise, I enjoyed the plane. reply | |
| | Maria-Lisa Dilda, e-mail, 03.10.2010 17:15 Such a great little plane is the 172 and the 182, that most of Civil Air Patrol uses them exclusively for Searcha dn Rescue and flight training. Great little plane, great resources for CAP! reply | | Jarvis H. Renfrow, Sr., e-mail, 03.10.2010 05:18 I have owned 2 Cessna 150's, and four Cessna Skyhawks so far and I am 79 years old and solowed on my 16th birthday. Thousands of hours flying from the Artic Circle to the Vergin Islands. My 1972 Skyhawk had 2 tip tanks and a fuselage tank, people would say no way can you fly a Cessna 172 that far without stopping. At present I am flying with my wife as pilot in command in our Cessna 172 SP Skyhawk, I love that extra power of the 180 HP Lycoming Engine. reply | | Dudley Hixson, e-mail, 15.09.2010 20:05 Owned and flew a Cessna R-172K, with IO-360 K2B Continental, for 7 years. Great airplane with excellent short field capabilities. I still miss it, even after 20 years. reply | | Ed Woerle, e-mail, 11.08.2010 20:16 The T41A is actually a mix of the 172F and Skyhawk. I own the 32nd -41A delivered. It, like all A models, has the Continental O300D engine. When delivered, it sported a single Mk 12 radio and non-heated pitot. Cost ~$13,300 each. reply | | Chris Ambrose, e-mail, 24.08.2010 11:46 I have owned a C-172-K for the last 20 years and have put well over 1500 hrs on her and a finer airplane has not been built ! She is a joy to fly and does everything well!It is cheap to own and fly and would recommend this airplane to anyone looking to buy an airplane ! It also is one of the loves of my life ! reply | | Ross TOWNSEND, e-mail, 21.04.2010 20:35 I owned and flew a C-170B (1954 model) for 8 yrs.. C-GIOR, flew it for about 400 hrs, across Canada and USA. A very forgiving and gentle handling tail dragger..hated to part with it.. reply | | John A. hansen, e-mail, 26.03.2010 03:18 I had a 1961 C-175, swept tail, w / the GO-300C engine, S /N 56660. After first 25 hrs of ownership in 1969, I changed the oil. The pieces that came out in the oil were big enough to cary serial numbers! After $4004.10 (in 1972 dollars) I was back in the air. Only had two failures after that. It always ran hot, and used quite a bit of fuel, but never in the 13 gph range. reply | | Doug Rodrigues, e-mail, 13.03.2010 09:45 Re: Model 175. The Cessna 175 had a fixed pitch prop until the 1961 model. I owned a 1960 model serial no. 56393, N6893E. The geared engine could sure drink the gasoline! I finally converted to a Lyc O-360A1D and a constant speed prop. That alone doubled the rate of climb and brough the fuel consumption down to 10.9 GPH, from about 13 GPH @ 3200 rpm. reply | | Geo. Watts, e-mail, 12.03.2010 17:59 I owned a 1979 172XP. Great airplane. Flew it, came with a float kit, for 20 years. Covered much of Canada, the Artic and even Alaska. The engine was rated at 210 HP and with the larger engine, the one the military used, it made a greaT float plane. It was full IFR. Had PK 2300 floats and was a dream to fly. Put 2300 hours on same engine and was gong strong when I sold because of old age setting in. At 80 of age today it was the love of my life. reply | | Bruce, e-mail, 26.02.2010 05:49 The Laughlin AFB, TX aero club aquired two T-41As when the Air Force retired them. I have many fond memories as a newly minted pilot flying these in the early 80's. They were freshened-up with new paint and upholstery, but not much else. A half-working nav /com and transponder kept me awake on quite a few crosscountries! Nonetheless, $25 /hr wet was an easy choice for an E-4. reply | |
| | Shawn, 07.09.2010 18:11 Where is the Cardinal? The 177 was a big departure for Cessna - and although it only had a 10 year run it was one of the coolest planes they ever built. reply | | hussain, e-mail, 05.08.2009 10:27 can you send me some more information about training flights reply | | George E. Sutton, e-mail, 01.09.2008 22:47 I owned a 170B with crosswind landing gear, a real great help in Nevade where every village has an air strip, rarely aligned with the prevailing wind! Loved it, but as my two sons kept growing, we had to move up! reply | | George E. Sutton, e-mail, 01.09.2008 22:47 I owned a 170B with crosswind landing gear, a real great help in Nevade where every village has an air strip, rarely aligned with the prevailing wind! Loved it, but as my two sons kept growing, we had to move up! reply |
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