Cessna 177RG Cardinal Model Guide
Cessna 177RG Cardinal · Model Guide
Overview
The Cessna 177RG Cardinal is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane with retractable landing gear, built from 1971 to 1978. It has a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360 engine. The 1976 handbook lists 156 knots top speed at sea level, 148 knots cruise at 75% power at 7000 ft, and a 2800 lb maximum weight.
- Four seats, 200 hp, retractable gear. 1976 handbook: 148 knots cruise at 75% power at 7000 ft.
- Fuel capacity changed: 1971-72 airplanes carry 50 gal usable, 1973 and later carry 60 gal usable.
- Landing gear condition is the key inspection item: a UK accident report found fatigue failure of a main gear downlock pivot pin.
- Check for the Hartzell propeller or turbonormalizer modifications, since each comes with its own placards and paperwork.
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) ·
- 200
- Max baggage (lb) ·
- 120
- Usable fuel (gal) ·
- 60
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,800
- Fuel capacity total (gal) ·
- 61
- Propeller diameter (in) ·
- 78
Performance
- Max range (nm) ·
- 895
- Range 75pct (nm) ·
- 715
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 925
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 17,100
- Cruise speed 75pct (kt) ·
- 148
- Landing ground roll (ft) ·
- 730
- Max speed sea level (kt) ·
- 156
- Takeoff ground roll (ft) ·
- 890
V-speeds
- VA_KT ·
- 113
- VFE_KT ·
- 95
- VLE_KT ·
- 125
- VLO_KT ·
- 125
- VNE_KT ·
- 174
- VNO_KT ·
- 142
- STALL_FLAPS_UP_KT ·
- 57
- STALL_FLAPS_DOWN_KT ·
- 50
Weight & balance
- Max weight (lb) ·
- 2,800
- Max baggage (lb) ·
- 120
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 1,120
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,680
- Cg aft limit (in) ·
- 114.7
- Cg forward limit light (in) ·
- 101
- Cg forward limit at max weight (in) ·
- 105.8
How many people does the Cessna 177RG Cardinal carry?
The Cessna 177RG Cardinal has four seats: two front and two rear. Maximum weight is 2800 lbs, and the baggage limit is 120 lbs.
How fast and how far does the Cessna 177RG Cardinal fly?
The 1976 handbook lists 156 knots maximum at sea level and 148 knots cruise at 75% power at 7000 ft. Range is 715 NM at 75% power and 895 NM at 10,000 ft, both with 60 gal usable fuel.
Which fuel does the Cessna 177RG Cardinal need?
Serials 177RG0001 through 177RG1051 need 100/130 minimum grade avgas. Serial 177RG1052 and up use 100LL/100. Alcohol-based fuels are prohibited.
What is the main pre-buy concern on a Cessna 177RG Cardinal?
The landing gear. A UK accident report on a Cessna F177RG Cardinal found fatigued main gear downlock pivot pins and a misadjusted nose gear downlock. Have the whole gear system inspected and review the gear maintenance history.
What is the Cessna 177RG Cardinal Model Guide?
The Cessna 177RG Cardinal Model Guide is a model guide for the Cessna 177RG Cardinal, dated 2026.
What year was the Cessna 177RG Cardinal Model Guide published?
The Cessna 177RG Cardinal Model Guide — the Cessna 177RG Cardinal model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Common. More common than 99% of the aircraft models we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Cessna 177RG Cardinal.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
Cessna 177RG Cardinal for sale now
Free — save the 177 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
More Cessna 177RG Cardinalmanuals & documents
See all 18 →- Supplemental Type Certificate for Cessna 177RG CardinalSupplemental Type Certificate
- CESSNA STC SHOULDER HARNESS KITSSupplemental Type Certificate
- INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS FOR HARTZELL PROPELLER HC-C2YR-1BFP / F7894 ON TEXTRON / CESSNA 177RG and F177RG AIRCRAFT STC SA04200CHFlight Manual
- Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A20CEWeight & Balance
- Report IN-031/2012Other Documents
- Tornado Alley Turbo, Inc. TAT SB11-07Service Bulletins
- Service Bulletin TAT SB09-02Flight Manual
- AAIB Bulletin No: 6/2005Service Bulletins
- AAIB Bulletin No: 10/2004Service Bulletins
- AVIATION OCCURRENCE REPORT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER / STALL CESSNA 177 RG CARDINAL C-GWNWOther Documents
- Cessna 1976 Cardinal RG Pilot's Operating HandbookPilot's Operating Handbook
- Cessna 177RG Owner's ManualWiring Diagrams
Related documents
- Reims-Cessna F177RG Cardinal Model GuideReims-Cessna F177RG Cardinal · Model Guide
- Cessna 177 Cardinal Model GuideCessna 177 Cardinal · Model Guide
- CESSNA 177 Model GuideCESSNA 177 · Model Guide
- Cessna 1976 Cardinal RG Pilot's Operating HandbookCessna 177RG Cardinal · Pilot's Operating Handbook
- Pilot's Operating HandbookCessna 177RG Cardinal · Pilot's Operating Handbook
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In this document
Performance and loading
The 1976 handbook lists a 925 fpm sea-level climb rate and a 17,100 ft service ceiling. Takeoff ground roll is 890 ft (1585 ft over a 50 ft obstacle). Landing roll is 730 ft (1350 ft over 50 ft). Maximum weight is 2800 lbs with up to 120 lbs of baggage. Range at 75% power is 715 NM with 60 gal usable.
What to inspect
Check the landing gear first. A UK Cessna F177RG accident report found out-of-adjustment nose gear downlock and fatigued main gear downlock pivot pins, after earlier signs of incomplete gear retraction. Also review the log for the service manual temporary revisions, which add component time limits and a fuel quantity indicating system test.
Fuel, engine and modifications
Serials through 177RG1051 need 100/130 minimum grade avgas. Serial 177RG1052 and up use 100LL/100. Alcohol-based fuels are prohibited. A mandatory bulletin covers turbonormalized airplanes (fuel servo reflow, new flight manual supplement) for better hot-weather cooling. A Hartzell 78-inch propeller STC is also available.
Safety notes
- Do not fly with the gear pump circuit breaker pulled or with unresolved gear retraction faults; the UK accident airplane did so and its nose gear collapsed on landing.
- Hartzell propeller STC placard: continuous operation is prohibited between 2000 and 2300 RPM with less than 10 inches manifold pressure.
- Alcohol-based fuels can cause serious performance degradation and fuel system damage, and are prohibited.
Full document text
Cessna 177RG Cardinal Model Guide The Cessna 177RG Cardinal is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane with retractable landing gear, built from 1971 to 1978. It has a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360 engine. The 1976 handbook lists 156 knots top speed at sea level, 148 knots cruise at 75% power at 7000 ft, and a 2800 lb maximum weight. • Four seats, 200 hp, retractable gear. 1976 handbook: 148 knots cruise at 75% power at 7000 ft. • Fuel capacity changed: 1971-72 airplanes carry 50 gal usable, 1973 and later carry 60 gal usable. • Landing gear condition is the key inspection item: a UK accident report found fatigue failure of a main gear downlock pivot pin. • Check for the Hartzell propeller or turbonormalizer modifications, since each comes with its own placards and paperwork. Performance and loading The 1976 handbook lists a 925 fpm sea-level climb rate and a 17,100 ft service ceiling. Takeoff ground roll is 890 ft (1585 ft over a 50 ft obstacle). Landing roll is 730 ft (1350 ft over 50 ft). Maximum weight is 2800 lbs with up to 120 lbs of baggage. Range at 75% power is 715 NM with 60 gal usable. What to inspect Check the landing gear first. A UK Cessna F177RG accident report found out-of-adjustment nose gear downlock and fatigued main gear downlock pivot pins, after earlier signs of incomplete gear retraction. Also review the log for the service manual temporary revisions, which add component time limits and a fuel quantity indicating system test. Fuel, engine and modifications Serials through 177RG1051 need 100/130 minimum grade avgas. Serial 177RG1052 and up use 100LL/100. Alcohol-based fuels are prohibited. A mandatory bulletin covers turbonormalized airplanes (fuel servo reflow, new flight manual supplement) for better hot-weather cooling. A Hartzell 78-inch propeller STC is also available. Safety notes: • Do not fly with the gear pump circuit breaker pulled or with unresolved gear retraction faults; the UK accident airplane did so and its nose gear collapsed on landing. • Hartzell propeller STC placard: continuous operation is prohibited between 2000 and 2300 RPM with less than 10 inches manifold pressure. • Alcohol-based fuels can cause serious performance degradation and fuel system damage, and are prohibited.