CESSNA 172 Model Guide
CESSNA 172 · Model Guide
Overview
The CESSNA 172 is a family of single-engine piston aircraft. The registry lists variants from the original 172 through the 172S and shows up to 4 passengers. Family maxima are up to 140 kt cruise, 700 nm range and 17000 ft ceiling. Most figures below are for the 172R (160 hp, fixed gear). Older and diesel-converted airplanes differ, so verify which version you are buying.
- 172R: 160 hp Lycoming IO-360-L2A, fixed-pitch prop; 123 kt max at sea level, 122 kt cruise at 8000 ft (80% power).
- Max takeoff and landing weight is 2450 lb; baggage allowance 120 lb; fuel 56 gal total, 53 gal usable.
- Per the POH, takeoff over a 50 ft obstacle takes 1685 ft and landing over 50 ft takes 1295 ft (standard conditions).
- Engines vary by airframe: a 1956 172 had a 145 hp Continental O-300-A; some 172R/S have Thielert diesel conversions.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 50 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Engine power (hp) ·
- 160
- Usable fuel (gal) ·
- 53
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 56
- Propeller diameter (in) ·
- 75
Performance
- Range (nm) ·
- 580
- Max range (nm) ·
- 687
- Climb rate (fpm) ·
- 720
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 122
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 13,500
- Landing ground roll (ft) ·
- 550
- Takeoff ground roll (ft) ·
- 945
- Max speed sea level (kt) ·
- 123
V-speeds
- VA_KTS ·
- 99
- VX_KTS ·
- 60
- VY_KTS ·
- 79
- VNE_KTS ·
- 163
- VNO_KTS ·
- 129
- BEST_GLIDE_KTS ·
- 65
Weight & balance
- Max ramp weight (lb) ·
- 2,457
- Baggage allowance (lb) ·
- 120
- Max landing weight (lb) ·
- 2,450
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,450
How fast and how far does a CESSNA 172R fly?
The CESSNA 172R POH gives 123 kt max at sea level and 122 kt cruise at 8000 ft (80% power). Range is 580 NM at that setting, or 687 NM at 10000 ft and 60% power, with 53 gal usable fuel.
What can a CESSNA 172R carry?
The CESSNA 172R has a 2450 lb max takeoff and landing weight (2457 lb ramp), with a 120 lb baggage allowance. Fuel is 56 gal total, 53 gal usable. The English and French manuals differ on empty weight (1639 lb vs 1600 lb), so weigh the actual airplane.
How much runway does a CESSNA 172R need?
The POH shows a 945 ft takeoff ground roll and 1685 ft over a 50 ft obstacle. Landing needs 550 ft ground roll and 1295 ft over 50 ft. These are for standard conditions at sea level on a hard, dry runway with no wind.
Do all CESSNA 172 models have the same engine?
No. The CESSNA 172R has a 160 hp Lycoming IO-360-L2A. A 1956 CESSNA 172 had a 145 hp Continental O-300-A. Some 172 R/S airplanes carry Thielert TAE 125 diesel conversions that burn Jet A-1 and need a separate POH supplement.
What is the CESSNA 172 Model Guide?
The CESSNA 172 Model Guide is a model guide for the CESSNA 172, dated 2026.
What year was the CESSNA 172 Model Guide published?
The CESSNA 172 Model Guide — the CESSNA 172 model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Common. One of the most common aircraft types we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the CESSNA 172.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
CESSNA 172 for sale now
Free — save the 172 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
More CESSNA 172manuals & documents
- SERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION - G1000 NXI WITH ESP SOFTWARE UPDATEService Bulletins
- Supplement Pilot's Operating Handbook Cessna 172 R & SPilot's Operating Handbook
- CESSNA 172 R POH & THIELERT SUPPLEMENTPilot's Operating Handbook
- CESSNA 172R QRHChecklist
- Preflight Checklist CESSNA 172 ThielertChecklist
- Wiring Diagram for CESSNA 172S SkyhawkWiring Diagrams
If you fly the CESSNA 172, you may also be researching these.
In this document
172R performance
POH range is 580 NM at 80% power at 8000 ft (4.8 h) or 687 NM at 10000 ft and 60% (6.6 h), on 53 gal usable fuel with a 45 minute reserve. Climb is 720 fpm at sea level and service ceiling is 13500 ft. Speed fairings add about 2 knots.
Engine variants to know
The standard 172R has a 160 hp Textron Lycoming IO-360-L2A and a 75 in fixed-pitch prop. Thielert STC airplanes (172 R and S) use a TAE 125-01 (1689 ccm) or TAE 125-02-99 (1991 ccm) diesel with FADEC, a 3-blade constant-speed prop and Jet A-1 fuel. The 1956 172 had a 145 hp Continental O-300-A.
What to check when buying
Sample all fuel drains for water and sediment and check the oil (QRH: 5 qt minimum, 8 qt maximum). Inspect tyres, nose strut and air filter. On diesel airplanes also check gearbox oil and the FADEC and backup battery tests. On older carbureted airplanes, check carb heat; the 1956 manual calls for oil changes every 25 hours.
Safety notes
- Thielert diesel: if main battery and alternator both fail, the engine runs only up to 30 minutes on the FADEC backup battery.
- Thielert diesel: unapproved fuels may damage the engine and fuel system and cause engine failure.
- Older carbureted 172: carb ice can form on the ground; apply full carb heat on approach glide before reducing power.
Full document text
CESSNA 172 Model Guide The CESSNA 172 is a family of single-engine piston aircraft. The registry lists variants from the original 172 through the 172S and shows up to 4 passengers. Family maxima are up to 140 kt cruise, 700 nm range and 17000 ft ceiling. Most figures below are for the 172R (160 hp, fixed gear). Older and diesel-converted airplanes differ, so verify which version you are buying. • 172R: 160 hp Lycoming IO-360-L2A, fixed-pitch prop; 123 kt max at sea level, 122 kt cruise at 8000 ft (80% power). • Max takeoff and landing weight is 2450 lb; baggage allowance 120 lb; fuel 56 gal total, 53 gal usable. • Per the POH, takeoff over a 50 ft obstacle takes 1685 ft and landing over 50 ft takes 1295 ft (standard conditions). • Engines vary by airframe: a 1956 172 had a 145 hp Continental O-300-A; some 172R/S have Thielert diesel conversions. 172R performance POH range is 580 NM at 80% power at 8000 ft (4.8 h) or 687 NM at 10000 ft and 60% (6.6 h), on 53 gal usable fuel with a 45 minute reserve. Climb is 720 fpm at sea level and service ceiling is 13500 ft. Speed fairings add about 2 knots. Engine variants to know The standard 172R has a 160 hp Textron Lycoming IO-360-L2A and a 75 in fixed-pitch prop. Thielert STC airplanes (172 R and S) use a TAE 125-01 (1689 ccm) or TAE 125-02-99 (1991 ccm) diesel with FADEC, a 3-blade constant-speed prop and Jet A-1 fuel. The 1956 172 had a 145 hp Continental O-300-A. What to check when buying Sample all fuel drains for water and sediment and check the oil (QRH: 5 qt minimum, 8 qt maximum). Inspect tyres, nose strut and air filter. On diesel airplanes also check gearbox oil and the FADEC and backup battery tests. On older carbureted airplanes, check carb heat; the 1956 manual calls for oil changes every 25 hours. Safety notes: • Thielert diesel: if main battery and alternator both fail, the engine runs only up to 30 minutes on the FADEC backup battery. • Thielert diesel: unapproved fuels may damage the engine and fuel system and cause engine failure. • Older carbureted 172: carb ice can form on the ground; apply full carb heat on approach glide before reducing power.