For many of us, the first exposure we had to Cessna's 172 was the first step-up in size and performance from a two-seat trainer, most likely the Cessna 150/152 series. Back then the Skyhawk seemed huge and powerful compared to the 150/152. Many of us spent hours in 172s giving first rides to friends and family, collecting certificates and ratings, and eventually moving on to bigger and higher-performance rides. Some, on the other hand, continued flying 172s, passing on their knowledge as CFIs or landing jobs as traffic or fish spotters. Over time, people started calling them colorful names like "Chicken Hawk," or "Fryhawk" for those in warmer climates.
Lycoming IO-360-L2A, 180 hp
McCauley 2 blade metal, fixed-pitch
27 ft 2 in
8 ft 11 in
36 ft 1 in
174 sq ft
14.7 lb/sq ft
14.1 lb/hp
3 ft 4 in
1,680 lb
2,558 lb
878 lb
560 lb
56 gal (53 gal usable)
120 lb, 30 cu ft
960 ft
1,630 ft
730 fpm
14,000 ft
1,335 ft
575 ft
124 kt/4.26 hr (9.9 gph)
640 nm
62 KIAS
74 KIAS
163 KIAS
48 KIAS
40 KIAS
For more information, contact Textron Aviation (Cessna) at or via https://cessna.txtav.com/en/piston/cessna-skyhawk
All specifications are based on manufacturer's calculations. All performance figures are based on standard day, standard atmosphere, sea level, gross weight conditions unless otherwise noted.