CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK Model Guide
CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK · Model Guide
Overview
The CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK is a single-engine piston, fixed-pitch-prop airplane with a 160 hp Lycoming O-320 (the 172 family seats up to 4). The 1982 and 1985 handbooks give 120 kt cruise at 75% power at 8000 ft, 700 fpm climb and 40 gallons usable fuel. Check engine type, weights and AD history before buying.
- Handbook speeds: 123 kt max at sea level, 120 kt cruise at 75% power at 8000 ft. Climb is 700 fpm and service ceiling is 13,000 ft.
- Handbook weights: 2400 lb takeoff/landing, 2407 lb ramp, 1427 lb standard empty, 980 lb useful load. Baggage allowance is 120 lb.
- Short-field figures: takeoff 890 ft roll and 1625 ft over 50 ft; landing 540 ft roll and 1280 ft over 50 ft.
- Confirm the engine: stock is a 160 hp O-320 at 2400 lb, but some airplanes have a 180 hp O-360 and a 2550 lb gross-weight STC.
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 ·
- 51 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Engine (hp) ·
- 160
- Height (ft) ·
- 8.92
- Length (ft) ·
- 27.17
- Wingspan (ft) ·
- 36.08
- Engine model ·
- Lycoming O-320-D2J
- Usable fuel (gal) ·
- 40
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 43
- Propeller diameter (in) ·
- 75
Performance
- Max speed (kt) ·
- 123
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 120
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 700
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 13,000
- Landing over 50ft (ft) ·
- 1,280
- Takeoff over 50ft (ft) ·
- 1,625
- Landing ground roll (ft) ·
- 540
- Takeoff ground roll (ft) ·
- 890
V-speeds
- VA_KTS ·
- 105
- VR_KTS ·
- 55
- VX_KTS ·
- 62
- VY_KTS ·
- 74
- VFE_KTS ·
- 85
- VNE_KTS ·
- 158
- VS1_KTS ·
- 50
Weight & balance
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 980
- Cg aft limit (in) ·
- 40
- Max ramp weight (lb) ·
- 2,407
- Baggage allowance (lb) ·
- 120
- Max landing weight (lb) ·
- 2,400
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,400
- Cg forward limit (in) ·
- 34
- Standard empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,427
How much fuel does the CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK carry?
The CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK handbook lists 40 gallons usable (43 gallons total) in standard tanks. Long-range tanks are listed at 54 gallons total. At 75% power and 8000 ft, 40 gallons usable gives 440 nm and 3.8 hours with reserve.
What can the CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK carry?
The CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK handbook lists a 980 lb useful load, a 2400 lb takeoff weight and a 120 lb baggage allowance. Fuel, people and bags share the useful load, so work out the weight and balance for each trip.
Is every CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK a 160 hp airplane?
No. The standard CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK has a 160 hp Lycoming O-320. A supplement covers a 180 hp O-360 conversion and a 2550 lb gross-weight STC. Check the logbooks and installed paperwork for which one applies.
What is the CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK Model Guide?
The CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK Model Guide is a model guide for the CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK, dated 2026.
What year was the CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK Model Guide published?
The CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK Model Guide — the CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK 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 172P SKYHAWK.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK for sale now
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More CESSNA 172P SKYHAWKmanuals & documents
See all 15 →- EMERGENCY PROCEDURESEmergency Procedures
- Airworthiness Directives (ADs) – Current Only – Search Results for "Cessna" filtered by "Cessna 172P"Airworthiness Directives
- CESSNA 172 ChecklistChecklist
- CESSNA 172 Aircraft Rev-022 SK4172-42A.DOCService Bulletins
- Supplemental Airplane Flight ManualFlight Manual
- AAIB Bulletin No: 11/2003Service Bulletins
- Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight ManualPilot's Operating Handbook
- PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS CESSNA MODEL 172PPerformance Data
- PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK and FAA APPROVED AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUALPilot's Operating Handbook
- Cessna 172N Service BulletinService Bulletins
- Cessna 172P Skyhawk Pilot's Operating HandbookPilot's Operating Handbook
- Pilot's Operating Handbook Cessna 172P SkyhawkPilot's Operating Handbook
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In this document
What to check before buying
The FAA current-AD list for the 172P has 12 entries. Subjects: seat rails and roller housings, engine, alternate static source valve, forward door post, fuel strainer, fuel/oil/hydraulic hoses, air filters, aileron hinge pin, control wheel yoke guide, oil coolers and elevator control system. Ask for logbook proof of compliance for each one.
Modifications and paperwork
STC SA2196CE raises gross weight to 2550 lbs on airplanes already fitted with STC SA4428SW (180 hp O-360). Its flight manual supplement must be attached to the handbook. The handbook must be carried in the airplane. Handbook empty weight and useful load differ slightly between documents, so use the weighed figures for the specific airplane.
Runway performance notes
Chart notes: decrease distances 10% for each 9 knots of headwind. On dry grass, add 15% to the takeoff ground roll and 45% to the landing ground roll. Landing with flaps up needs 7 KIAS more approach speed and 35% longer distances. Chart figures are calculated values and vary with each airplane.
Safety notes
- An AAIB report on a 172P covers a bounced landing after a fast, low approach. The nose gear collapsed and the prop struck the ground. Go around if a bounce is not controlled.
- Speed performance in the handbook assumes optional speed fairings, which add about 2 knots. Do not assume a particular airplane matches the published figures.
- Never exceed speed is 158 KIAS and maneuvering speed is 105 KIAS in the data provided. Do not make full or abrupt control movements above maneuvering speed.
Full document text
CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK Model Guide The CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK is a single-engine piston, fixed-pitch-prop airplane with a 160 hp Lycoming O-320 (the 172 family seats up to 4). The 1982 and 1985 handbooks give 120 kt cruise at 75% power at 8000 ft, 700 fpm climb and 40 gallons usable fuel. Check engine type, weights and AD history before buying. • Handbook speeds: 123 kt max at sea level, 120 kt cruise at 75% power at 8000 ft. Climb is 700 fpm and service ceiling is 13,000 ft. • Handbook weights: 2400 lb takeoff/landing, 2407 lb ramp, 1427 lb standard empty, 980 lb useful load. Baggage allowance is 120 lb. • Short-field figures: takeoff 890 ft roll and 1625 ft over 50 ft; landing 540 ft roll and 1280 ft over 50 ft. • Confirm the engine: stock is a 160 hp O-320 at 2400 lb, but some airplanes have a 180 hp O-360 and a 2550 lb gross-weight STC. What to check before buying The FAA current-AD list for the 172P has 12 entries. Subjects: seat rails and roller housings, engine, alternate static source valve, forward door post, fuel strainer, fuel/oil/hydraulic hoses, air filters, aileron hinge pin, control wheel yoke guide, oil coolers and elevator control system. Ask for logbook proof of compliance for each one. Modifications and paperwork STC SA2196CE raises gross weight to 2550 lbs on airplanes already fitted with STC SA4428SW (180 hp O-360). Its flight manual supplement must be attached to the handbook. The handbook must be carried in the airplane. Handbook empty weight and useful load differ slightly between documents, so use the weighed figures for the specific airplane. Runway performance notes Chart notes: decrease distances 10% for each 9 knots of headwind. On dry grass, add 15% to the takeoff ground roll and 45% to the landing ground roll. Landing with flaps up needs 7 KIAS more approach speed and 35% longer distances. Chart figures are calculated values and vary with each airplane. Safety notes: • An AAIB report on a 172P covers a bounced landing after a fast, low approach. The nose gear collapsed and the prop struck the ground. Go around if a bounce is not controlled. • Speed performance in the handbook assumes optional speed fairings, which add about 2 knots. Do not assume a particular airplane matches the published figures. • Never exceed speed is 158 KIAS and maneuvering speed is 105 KIAS in the data provided. Do not make full or abrupt control movements above maneuvering speed.