Aircraft overview

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, high-wing, single-engine piston aircraft built by Cessna, now part of Textron Aviation. The original Cessna 172 first flew in 1955 and entered production for the 1956 model year; after a production pause in the 1980s, manufacturing resumed in 1996 and continues in modern Skyhawk form. It is used widely for private ownership, flight training, instrument instruction, touring, and utility flying. Its importance comes from a long production run, broad parts support, predictable handling, and a large global maintenance knowledge base.

Performance & specifications

Performance varies by model year, engine, propeller, avionics weight, and condition. A common reference point for late-model Cessna 172S Skyhawks is a cruise speed of about 124 knots, maximum range of roughly 640 nautical miles, and a service ceiling of 14,000 feet. The 172S is powered by a Lycoming IO-360-L2A fuel-injected four-cylinder engine rated at 180 hp. Earlier 172 variants used different Continental or Lycoming engines, often with lower horsepower. Useful load is typically in the high hundreds of pounds, but buyers should verify the exact aircraft’s equipment list, empty weight, and weight-and-balance data.

Cabin & avionics

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk has a simple four-seat cabin with two front seats, a rear bench, dual controls in most aircraft, and good outward visibility from its high-wing layout. Cabin comfort is modest by touring-aircraft standards, but access, ventilation, and baggage practicality suit short to medium-length flights. Avionics vary significantly across the fleet. Older aircraft may have traditional analog instruments with upgraded radios, GPS navigators, ADS-B equipment, or digital engine monitors. Factory-built late-model 172S aircraft commonly feature the Garmin G1000 integrated flight deck, and current production Skyhawks use the Garmin G1000 NXi suite. The Garmin Perspective system is associated with Cirrus aircraft, not the Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

Buying & value

Used Cessna 172 Skyhawks cover a wide price and capability range, from older airframes suited to basic VFR flying to late-model glass-cockpit aircraft used by flight schools and private owners. On PlaneFox listing data, asking prices average around EUR 127,000, with a broad range from about EUR 25,000 to EUR 360,000. Buyers should review total time, engine time since overhaul, corrosion history, damage records, logbook continuity, avionics upgrades, and compliance with airworthiness directives. Common variants include earlier 172 models, the 172N and 172P, the restart-era 172R, and the 180 hp 172S Skyhawk SP. Desirable upgrades often include modern GPS, ADS-B, engine monitoring, fresh interiors, and reputable engine conversions where properly documented.