CESSNA 172S Skyhawk Model Guide
CESSNA 172S Skyhawk · Model Guide
Overview
The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk is a single-engine piston airplane with a 180 hp Textron Lycoming IO-360 (IO-360-L2A) and a fixed-pitch 76 inch McCauley propeller. It is fuel injected, with 56 gallons of total fuel capacity (53 usable). It has a maximum takeoff weight of 2550 lbs and a 120 lb baggage allowance. Book cruise is 120 kts. Listed range is 640 nm.
- The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk has a 2550 lb max takeoff weight, 56 gal total fuel (53 usable) and a 120 lb baggage allowance.
- Book numbers: 120 kts cruise, 8 gph fuel burn, 730 fpm climb, 14000 ft service ceiling.
- Useful load differs by airplane. The library lists 881.8 lbs. The Purdue Aviation sheet shows individual airplanes from 841.5 to 885.7 lbs. Weigh the actual aircraft you are buying.
- Book takeoff is 1525 ft ground roll and 2000 ft over a 50 ft obstacle. Landing is 1350 ft ground roll and 1500 ft over 50 ft. Maximum crosswind is 15 kts.
- If the airplane has a KAP 140 autopilot, check that the AD software update has been done.
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 ·
- 53 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Engine (hp) ·
- 180
- Height (ft) ·
- 8
- Length (ft) ·
- 27
- Wingspan (ft) ·
- 36
- Usable fuel (gal) ·
- 53
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 56
- Propeller diameter (in) ·
- 76
Performance
- Range (nm) ·
- 640
- Fuel burn (gph) ·
- 8
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 120
- Max crosswind (kt) ·
- 15
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 730
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 14,000
- Landing over 50ft (ft) ·
- 1,500
- Takeoff over 50ft (ft) ·
- 2,000
- Stall speed clean (kt) ·
- 48
- Landing ground roll (ft) ·
- 1,350
- Takeoff ground roll (ft) ·
- 1,525
- Stall speed landing (kt) ·
- 40
V-speeds
- VR_KTS ·
- 55
- VX_KTS ·
- 62
- VY_KTS ·
- 74
- VNE_KTS ·
- 163
- VNO_KTS ·
- 129
- VS1_KTS ·
- 48
- VSO_KTS ·
- 40
- VREF_KTS ·
- 65
- VFE_0_10_KTS ·
- 110
- VFE_10_30_KTS ·
- 85
- BEST_GLIDE_KTS ·
- 68
- VA_1900_LBS_KTS ·
- 90
- VA_2200_LBS_KTS ·
- 98
- VA_2550_LBS_KTS ·
- 105
Weight & balance
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 881.8
- Cg aft limit (in) ·
- 47
- Max ramp weight (lb) ·
- 2,558
- Baggage allowance (lb) ·
- 120
- Basic empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,676.2
- Max landing weight (lb) ·
- 2,550
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,550
- Cg forward limit (in) ·
- 36
- Utility max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,200
How much can the CESSNA 172S Skyhawk carry?
The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk has a 2550 lb max takeoff weight and a library useful load of 881.8 lbs. The POH lists 895 lbs. Individual airplanes vary, so check the weight and balance of the specific airplane. Baggage allowance is 120 lbs.
How far and how fast does the CESSNA 172S Skyhawk fly?
The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk has a listed cruise of 120 kts at about 8 gph and a listed range of 640 nm. Allow for reserve fuel and for variation of 10% or more from leaning technique and airplane condition.
What fuel does the CESSNA 172S Skyhawk use?
The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk uses 100LL (blue) or 100 grade (green) aviation fuel. It has 56 gal of total capacity, 53 gal of it usable.
What is the CESSNA 172S Skyhawk Model Guide?
The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk Model Guide is a model guide for the CESSNA 172S Skyhawk, dated 2026.
What year was the CESSNA 172S Skyhawk Model Guide published?
The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk Model Guide — the CESSNA 172S 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 172S Skyhawk.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
CESSNA 172S Skyhawk for sale now
Free — save the 172 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
More CESSNA 172S Skyhawkmanuals & documents
See all 49 →- SkyView Autopilot Servo Installation & Maintenance ManualAvionics Manual
- Cessna 172 Roll Servo Cable Guard, Rev BService Bulletins
- CESSNA 172S MANEUVER GUIDEPilot's Operating Handbook
- Cessna 172-S Training SupplementTraining Manual
- CAP TXWG Cessna 172S IntroductionOther Documents
- ELECTRICAL POWER - ALTERNATOR CONTROL UNIT (ACU) AND CONNECTOR OBSOLESCENCEService Bulletins
- Weight and BalanceWeight & Balance
- Supplemental Type CertificateSupplemental Type Certificate
- LANDING GEAR - MAIN LANDING GEAR BUSHING INSPECTIONMaintenance Manual
- Cessna 172S-G1000 ChecklistChecklist
- Cessna 172S G1000 Skyhawk Normal ProceduresNormal Procedures
- SkyView HDX - Autopilot Servo Installation & Maintenance ManualMaintenance Manual
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In this document
What you are buying
The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk has a 36 ft wingspan, is 27 ft long and 8 ft high. The engine is a fuel-injected, four-cylinder, normally aspirated 180 hp Textron Lycoming IO-360-L2A at 2700 RPM. The approved fuels are 100LL (blue) and 100 grade (green). Avionics seen in the sources include the Garmin G1000 Nav III system, and the POH covers a Nav III airplane with a KAP 140 autopilot.
Weight and loading
Max takeoff and landing weight are both 2550 lbs. Max ramp weight is 2558 lbs. The utility category limit is 2200 lbs. The library lists basic empty weight as 1676.2 lbs and useful load as 881.8 lbs. The POH lists standard empty weight as 1663 lbs and max useful load as 895 lbs. Purdue Aviation's individual airplanes show empty weights from 1664.3 to 1715.4 lbs. With 56 gal of fuel on board, the useful load left for people and bags is smaller. The CG range is 36 to 47 inches.
Performance and planning
The library lists cruise at 120 kts, fuel burn at 8 gph, range at 640 nm, climb at 730 fpm and service ceiling at 14000 ft. The POH allows 45 minutes reserve in its range and endurance charts. It warns that leaning technique, engine and propeller condition and turbulence can change range and endurance by 10% or more. A reference-only table says to decrease takeoff and landing distances 10% for each 9 knots of headwind. It says to increase the takeoff ground roll 15% on dry grass. It says a flaps-up landing needs 9 KIAS more approach speed and 35% longer distances.
What to check before buying
Compare the actual weighed empty weight and useful load against the book figures. Confirm that the KAP 140 autopilot software update required by the airworthiness directive is documented, if the airplane has that autopilot. Verify that the POH matches the airplane's serial number and that the revision is current. The 172S POH in the sources is Revision 5, dated 29 August 2014.
Safety notes
- The KAP 140 autopilot AD was issued after reports of inadvertent and undetected autopilot engagement on Cessna 172R and 172S airplanes. The update was due within 100 hours time in service of the effective date.
- POH performance figures are calculated values and will vary with individual airplanes. Plan conservatively.
- Stay within the 15 kt maximum crosswind figure listed for the airplane.
Full document text
CESSNA 172S Skyhawk Model Guide The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk is a single-engine piston airplane with a 180 hp Textron Lycoming IO-360 (IO-360-L2A) and a fixed-pitch 76 inch McCauley propeller. It is fuel injected, with 56 gallons of total fuel capacity (53 usable). It has a maximum takeoff weight of 2550 lbs and a 120 lb baggage allowance. Book cruise is 120 kts. Listed range is 640 nm. • The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk has a 2550 lb max takeoff weight, 56 gal total fuel (53 usable) and a 120 lb baggage allowance. • Book numbers: 120 kts cruise, 8 gph fuel burn, 730 fpm climb, 14000 ft service ceiling. • Useful load differs by airplane. The library lists 881.8 lbs. The Purdue Aviation sheet shows individual airplanes from 841.5 to 885.7 lbs. Weigh the actual aircraft you are buying. • Book takeoff is 1525 ft ground roll and 2000 ft over a 50 ft obstacle. Landing is 1350 ft ground roll and 1500 ft over 50 ft. Maximum crosswind is 15 kts. • If the airplane has a KAP 140 autopilot, check that the AD software update has been done. What you are buying The CESSNA 172S Skyhawk has a 36 ft wingspan, is 27 ft long and 8 ft high. The engine is a fuel-injected, four-cylinder, normally aspirated 180 hp Textron Lycoming IO-360-L2A at 2700 RPM. The approved fuels are 100LL (blue) and 100 grade (green). Avionics seen in the sources include the Garmin G1000 Nav III system, and the POH covers a Nav III airplane with a KAP 140 autopilot. Weight and loading Max takeoff and landing weight are both 2550 lbs. Max ramp weight is 2558 lbs. The utility category limit is 2200 lbs. The library lists basic empty weight as 1676.2 lbs and useful load as 881.8 lbs. The POH lists standard empty weight as 1663 lbs and max useful load as 895 lbs. Purdue Aviation's individual airplanes show empty weights from 1664.3 to 1715.4 lbs. With 56 gal of fuel on board, the useful load left for people and bags is smaller. The CG range is 36 to 47 inches. Performance and planning The library lists cruise at 120 kts, fuel burn at 8 gph, range at 640 nm, climb at 730 fpm and service ceiling at 14000 ft. The POH allows 45 minutes reserve in its range and endurance charts. It warns that leaning technique, engine and propeller condition and turbulence can change range and endurance by 10% or more. A reference-only table says to decrease takeoff and landing distances 10% for each 9 knots of headwind. It says to increase the takeoff ground roll 15% on dry grass. It says a flaps-up landing needs 9 KIAS more approach speed and 35% longer distances. What to check before buying Compare the actual weighed empty weight and useful load against the book figures. Confirm that the KAP 140 autopilot software update required by the airworthiness directive is documented, if the airplane has that autopilot. Verify that the POH matches the airplane's serial number and that the revision is current. The 172S POH in the sources is Revision 5, dated 29 August 2014. Safety notes: • The KAP 140 autopilot AD was issued after reports of inadvertent and undetected autopilot engagement on Cessna 172R and 172S airplanes. The update was due within 100 hours time in service of the effective date. • POH performance figures are calculated values and will vary with individual airplanes. Plan conservatively. • Stay within the 15 kt maximum crosswind figure listed for the airplane.