certified aircraft database
Cessna Aircraft

history and gallery
C172 B
C172 C
C172 I Skyhawk
C172 K & L float plane
C172 K & L Skyhawk
C172 M float 1973
C172 M float 1974 to 1976
C172 M Skyhawk
C172 P II Skyhawk
C172 Q Cutlass
C172 RG II Cutlass
C172 A
C172, D, E, F, G, H
72N,P/Hawk 100 float
C172N/Hawk 100 1977
C172N/Hawk 100 to '80
C172 Skyhawk 2003
Skyhawk SP 2003
C175 C
C175,A,B
C172R & 172S Skyhawk
C172 (1957) pilot report
Hawk XP pilot report

 

 


Cessna 172 Skyhawk & 175 Skylark history, performance and specifications

The Cessna 172 is without doubt the most successful mass produced light aircraft in history. From 1955 through to 1967 the 172 was powered by the six cylinder Continental O-300, before this engine was replaced by the four cylinder Lycoming O-320.

Cessna expected the new 172 to have only limited success, in view of the release of the Cessna 177 Cardinal at the same time. But the Cessna 172 became the most successful mass produced light aircraft in history.

The Skyhawk went through a series of developments in terms of aerofoil redesign, wider track undercarriage, increased fuel capacity options, reshaped windows and an optional higher standard "II" equipment package. High performance variants included the R172 Hawk XP, with a 195 hp engine, and the 172RG, with retracting undercarriage and a 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engine. Production models ran from the 172I of 1968 to the 172P of 1985.
Total Cessna 172 family production over 42,500, of which the civil Continental powered models account for about 15,800.