Cessna 172: History to Date
The 172 is a well-known model of Cessna that endured the test of time and the competition in the market. For over half a century from its first take-off on 1955, this plane continues to soar high up to the present, leaving behind its competitors. The Cessna 172 even surprised the company after ending its first year with 1,400 sales in 1956.
The 172 is a single-engine light aircraft which accommodates four passengers and lands on its fixed three wheels. This high-wing airplane is considered the most popular and profitable plane to be ever made. In fact, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk is undeniably the most successfully produced aircraft in the history with estimated 35,000 to 43,000 official sales. After Skyhawk, the Cessna 172A entered the scene in 1960 with its introduction of the swept back end and an airfoil called rudder but it was eventually followed by Cessna 172B which is more manageable than the latter version. It was after the 172B when Skywalk came back but this time with a more luxurious design. In 1963, Cessna 172D was introduced to the public with a reduced aircraft body with a window at the back. Reims Cessna launched the F172 which he made in France in 1971 along with the plane's electrical flaps. It was considered as one of the foundational trainers of the US Air force's T-41A Mescalero. In fact, one model called Cessna 172E was bought by the U.S. Army to be used as a spotter plane since its style is highly suitable for military use. Cessna also presented the 172G on 1966 with a much pointed spinner while the 172H was powered using a Continental.
Though Cessna 172 is not alone in the market, it differed itself among others for it remained unbeatable in sales. It is because of the company's constant upgrading of its versions. The first versions were powered with a 145 horsepower engine while the latest types were powered by 180 horsepower engines in addition to the retractable gears called Cutlass 172RG and, later on, floats. Another version is the Cessna 172RG that comes with a steady speed propeller and a stronger engine. In 1970's, Cessna made a breakthrough as it launched the R172K Hawk XP featuring a Continental IO-360-Kthat comes in a fuel injected form and ships only at 195 horsepower engine. It is closely related to Cessna 182 because of its speed capacity of 131 knot cruise.
Interestingly, a lot of people know about Piper Cub, Diamond DA-40 or Circus SR-22 but to most of them, the figure of Cessna 172 Skyhawk is usually associated with any of these models. Skyhawk usually comes to mind when people hear the words €small plane€ or €light aircraft€.
The 172 is a single-engine light aircraft which accommodates four passengers and lands on its fixed three wheels. This high-wing airplane is considered the most popular and profitable plane to be ever made. In fact, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk is undeniably the most successfully produced aircraft in the history with estimated 35,000 to 43,000 official sales. After Skyhawk, the Cessna 172A entered the scene in 1960 with its introduction of the swept back end and an airfoil called rudder but it was eventually followed by Cessna 172B which is more manageable than the latter version. It was after the 172B when Skywalk came back but this time with a more luxurious design. In 1963, Cessna 172D was introduced to the public with a reduced aircraft body with a window at the back. Reims Cessna launched the F172 which he made in France in 1971 along with the plane's electrical flaps. It was considered as one of the foundational trainers of the US Air force's T-41A Mescalero. In fact, one model called Cessna 172E was bought by the U.S. Army to be used as a spotter plane since its style is highly suitable for military use. Cessna also presented the 172G on 1966 with a much pointed spinner while the 172H was powered using a Continental.
Though Cessna 172 is not alone in the market, it differed itself among others for it remained unbeatable in sales. It is because of the company's constant upgrading of its versions. The first versions were powered with a 145 horsepower engine while the latest types were powered by 180 horsepower engines in addition to the retractable gears called Cutlass 172RG and, later on, floats. Another version is the Cessna 172RG that comes with a steady speed propeller and a stronger engine. In 1970's, Cessna made a breakthrough as it launched the R172K Hawk XP featuring a Continental IO-360-Kthat comes in a fuel injected form and ships only at 195 horsepower engine. It is closely related to Cessna 182 because of its speed capacity of 131 knot cruise.
Interestingly, a lot of people know about Piper Cub, Diamond DA-40 or Circus SR-22 but to most of them, the figure of Cessna 172 Skyhawk is usually associated with any of these models. Skyhawk usually comes to mind when people hear the words €small plane€ or €light aircraft€.
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