science | May 10, 2026

What kind of engine is in a Cessna 172?

Continental O-300

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Correspondingly, what type of wings does a Cessna 172 have?

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft.

Also, how many engines does a Cessna 172 have? Like the Cessna 170, the original 172 used the six-cylinder, 145-horsepower Continental O-300 engine. In 1968, the power plant was replaced with a four-cylinder Lycoming O-320 producing 150 horsepower.

One may also ask, how many Cessna 172 crashed?

In its latest safety review, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation looked at all the Cessna 172 accidents that occurred from 1982 through 1988 — more than 1,600 of them.

Why is a Cessna 172 called a 172?

One answer comes from the fact that the Cessna 172 is a high-wing monoplane – meaning the wings sit high above the cockpit. This is very useful for student pilots because it gives them a better view of the ground and makes the aircraft much easier to land. The 172 was based on an earlier Cessna design called the 170.

Related Question Answers

How far can a Cessna 172 fly on a full tank?

800 miles

What's the cheapest airplane you can buy?

Budget Buys of 2018: 12 low-cost airplanes, five under $25KBudget Buys of 2018: 12 low-cost airplanes, five under $25K
  • Piper PA-24 Comanche.
  • Pacer PA-20.
  • Beechcraft Bonanza V35.
  • Ercoupe 415-C.
  • Piper Aztec.
  • T-6.
  • Lark Commander Model 1050.
  • Comanche 180.

Does Cessna 172 have air conditioning?

According to Mike Fitch, sales manager for Keith Products, the Cessna 172 air conditioning installation weighs 58 lbs and shifts the center of gravity aft about one inch. The air conditioning installation is fully integrated.

How much does it cost to fill up a Cessna 172?

The Cessna 172 uses, on average, about 10 gallons per hour. If current fuel costs are about $4 per gallon, that's another $40 per hour to operate the plane.

How much does jet fuel cost?

As of Monday afternoon, Jet-A is selling to corporate jets for an average of $5.21 per gallon. (Fuel is usually more expensive on the coasts and cheaper in the Midwest.) Because the cost of Jet-A closely tracks the price of a barrel of oil, fuel costs for private jets have quadrupled since 2000.

How many G's can a Cessna 172 handle?

Most 172s specifications seem to indicate load factors in normal category with flaps up are +3.8g -1.52g. Our 1964 F172E owner's manual shows +4.4g -1.76g.

How many years is a BFR good for?

The term bi-annual means twice a year. Biennial means every two years, which is closer to the correct meaning. The FAA used to call the Flight Review a Biennial Flight Review, or BFR. The BFR was not required within the past two years, but rather within the past 24 calendar months.

How high can a Cessna 172 fly?

Service ceiling is the maximum altitude which the aircraft can attain flying in air at Standard Temperature and Pressure (29.92" Hg and 15° C at MSL) and still be able to climb at a rate of at least 100 feet/min. Depending on the model 172, this is between 13,000-15,000 feet ASL.

What's the easiest plane to fly?

The Cessna 172 is the easiest airplane to learn to fly in, according to a survey of flight schools around the world on Insider Monkey.

How dangerous is private pilot?

Private flying in small aircraft has a higher accident rate, but it is something on the order of 3–4 fatalities per 100,000 hours of flight time. That makes it more dangerous per hour than driving, but not by a whole lot.

Are Cessna planes safe?

No single engine piston airplane is going to be as safe as a larger airplanes, and most non-professional pilots are not as skilled as full time professional pilots. But the single engine Cessnas are about as safe as a single engine piston airplane can be. They are safe but not as safe as commercial airlines in the US.

Is flying a Cessna safer than driving?

To put a billion miles into perspective here, in a Cessna 172 flying at a top speed of 188 MPH, it would take you 607.2 years to reach your destination, if you flew continuously, without stopping. So the answer is; “yes.” It's definitely safer to fly in a small plane than drive in a car, but only 18.5% safer

Why is the Cessna 172 so popular?

One answer comes from the fact that the Cessna 172 is a high-wing monoplane – meaning the wings sit high above the cockpit. This is very useful for student pilots because it gives them a better view of the ground and makes the aircraft much easier to land. The 172 was based on an earlier Cessna design called the 170.

What is the best first plane to buy?

These five categories -- each of which comprises several models -- are most popular among first-time airplane purchasers, according to AOPA Pilot Information Center staff.
  • High-wing Cessnas in the 150/152, 172, 177, 182, and 206 series.
  • The Piper PA28 Cherokee series.
  • Less-common four-place aircraft.

What is the safest small airplane?

Flying a Cessna is very safe as long as you keep to the limits of operation of the aircraft. One may say that's true for any aircraft, but I'm saying this specifically about a Cessna because it is the kind of aircraft that tempts you to push the limits. A Cessna 152 or a 172 are very forgiving aircraft in general.

Are small planes safer than cars?

But the truth is, according to statistics from the United States government, flying on a plane on average is overwhelmingly safer than driving a car. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that in 2015, there were 32,166 fatal motor vehicle accidents that lead to just over 35,000 deaths.

Is learning to fly dangerous?

Learning to fly is statistically far less dangerous than flying a private plane for other reasons. Student pilots have lower accident rates than private pilots at large, likely due to the fact that they are heavily supervised by experienced flight instructors.

Where is the Cessna 172 built?

They're made by Lycoming Engines, a sister company, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The engine itself is a feat of mechanical engineering. At 180 horsepower, the engine is a horizontal four-cylinder piston engine.

How much fuel does a plane use compared to a car?

That means the plane is burning 0.01 gallons per person per mile. In other words, the plane is getting 100 miles per gallon per person! The typical car gets about 25 miles per gallon, so the 747 is much better than a car carrying one person, and compares favorably even if there are four people in the car.