Want to see more of our fleet? Check out our brand new Piper Archer TX, Piper Seminole, and Sportcruiser aircraft.Familiarize yourself with the six pack. Today, there have been more than 44,000 units produced, cementing the Cessna 172 in aviation history. These modifications increased the plane’s popularity, with at least 1,400 airplanes produced within one year of its debut. With a foundation crafted from the 170, the Cessna 172 was designed with unique features such as an angular tailfin, lowered rear deck (which made it possible to add a rear window) the tricycle landing gear and larger elevators. It was 1956 when the world first met this beautiful aviation marvel. Undeniably the most popular aircraft, the C-172 is the most produced aircraft in the world with well over 44,000 units produced. Whether you want an afternoon joyride, short-haul trip with friends, or you’re trying to build time, the 172 is exactly what you need. With the Cessna 172, you get almost everything you want in a plane. This world record was done to raise funds for the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund. With a registered Cessna 172, Timm & Cook took off from the McCarran Airfield in Las Vegas, Nevada, and flew the 172 for a total of 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes, and 5 seconds. It’s hard to talk about this plane without mentioning the world record for flight endurance undertaken by these two pilots from December 4, 1958, to February 7, 1959. Robert Timm and John Cook’s names are synonymous with the C-172. While there are other faster and more agile planes from competitors like Beechcraft and Piper, the Cessna is relatively easier and less expensive to maintain.ĭue to its popularity, parts are readily available and nearly every aviation mechanic has worked on a 172. The 180 horsepower Skyhawk subsequently followed production in 1998, aptly named the 172S Skyhawk SP.ĭue to its multi-purpose capacity and robustness, the Cessna 172 remains popular. This model was the first 172 which was fitted with a fuel-injection engine and had a redesigned interior and ventilation system. Production of the 172 model resumed in 1996 after the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 was passed.Įngineering efforts were channeled towards the building of the 160 horsepower 172R Skyhawk.

Cessna, a company established in 1911 was acquired by Textron in 1992. In 1986, the 172 ceased production, after almost 20 years due to liability concerns. The earliest model of the 172 which debuted in 1956 saw a variety of changes and upgrades, including the creation of special variants such as the 172 Hawk XP seaplane and a proof-of-concept electric-powered Cessna 172. This digital autopilot feature was capable of sustaining a steady rate of descent and ascent, consistent speed, and altitude ranges in a completely automatic way.Ī pilot had the capability of recovering from unwanted altitudes with just a push of a button on the autopilot. Some 172’s also include a digital autopilot feature. This information is displayed on two screens in the cockpit, together with altitude, airspeed, and geographical position. Where the cockpit is concerned, modern Cessna 172’s feature an integrated set of cockpit avionics, known as the Garmin G1000 NXi which included an all-new and improved graphical interface, high-resolution displays, powerful hardware, wireless technology, and increased functionality for situational awareness.

Cessna 172 flight control system