As the Northern Alaska Census Pilot, I flew myself and other Field Reps to the bush villages of Interior Alaska and the North Slope in a 1967 C182K, on a monthly basis for 30 years. Well equipped with 3 axis autopilot, full IFR and good GPS, she never gave me a lick of trouble over thousands of hours. She had long range tanks and Flint Aero tip tanks and ran on regular auto gas. I once flew her from Fairbanks down to Port Angeles, Washington non-stop -- took eleven hours. Safe, easy to fly, and practical... Clyde Cessna really knew his stuff.
Richard Weber, e-mail, 17.03.2015 23:06
Bought my 172 N5152A 1954 model in 1968 for $5200 had old coffer grinder radios lots of fun when caught in the Smultz over the Allegheny's at night in a snow storm but low and slow brought us down in Bellefonte Pa. Flew it until 1978 and sold it in Maine For $5300 flew like and angel not like the 1970's models which flew heavy on the controls
Charlie Hinson, e-mail, 27.02.2015 04:35
Serving as a missionary in Liberia, I uncrated a brand new 1960 Skyhawk straight off the ship, assembled it, and flew it 4,500 hours over the jungles without an accident. The best wings in the air. Wrote a book about it. Wish I could afford one now.
George Gould, e-mail, 24.01.2015 18:38
According to the NTSB the Cessna 172 has the best aviation safety record of all aircraft
Al Jan, e-mail, 02.09.2013 20:32
I, too, came to this site looking for the Cessna Cardinal. What gives?
John Aiton, e-mail, 20.02.2012 18:35
WOW, not a word about the Cardinal 177RG. With the larger engine it's a great AC.
Connie McCullough, e-mail, 11.10.2011 19:25
Have a '58 C-182 that my dad and I have owned for 20 years. In beautiful shape. Soloed at 16 in a C-172 in 1969. We've owned a C-185 and a Piper Tri Pacer, but none are better than the C-182. There's a reason it's considered the safest A/C in the GA fleet!
Steve, e-mail, 08.08.2011 19:26
For 15 years I owned a Cessna 175 with the Avcon conversion(Lycoming 0360 and constant speed prop)that made it a mini C-182. I used it as a trainer for Private, Commercial, and Instrument certification in addition to personal use. It was based in Gunnison, CO, elevation 7,700 msl. With 2 or three people and full tanks, it would perform better than most Cessna 182s at that elevation. It was a great airplane.
J. Van-Fleet, e-mail, 05.03.2011 23:12
Not a word about the 150. Most pilots learned to fly in one.
Terry Clayton, e-mail, 24.02.2011 00:10
Bought my 182 in 1968 "NEW" for $20,000. Flew it for 1800 hours and sold it and the new owner trashed it in 1 year. See NTSB N42184
John Cummings, e-mail, 26.01.2011 02:35
Wow! A huge A/C after 100 hours in a C150. John K7LM
Jim Faix, e-mail, 25.01.2011 04:01
Restoring a 1956 C-172 right now. s/n 29178. Hope to fly it soon. Just sitting in it is fun. I can only imagine how much fun I'll have once finished with the annual. Many hours in a C-150 and now I own it's big brother.
Scott Boyd, e-mail, 18.01.2011 22:55
I used to fly this old judge from Cortez Colorado to Northeaster Utah in a 175. The 175 always made weird noises and especially scary at night, especially when the Judge lit his cigar every few minutes.
Never really had a problem, but that geared engine, and it's history didn't inspire a lot of confidence.
I was much happier in the T-210 or T206, but he wouldn't spring for them and nobody wanted to buy the 175 so my boss worked out a deal.
Merl Short, e-mail, 04.01.2011 17:30
I presently own a 1977 HawkXP with the 210 HP Continantal engine. Bought it in 1993 c/w 2300 Pk floats, had a 1969 and 1979 Citabria before that. I have enjoyed every minute flying it,as I am now 71 years young, I don't know how many years I will be flying,but will keep it till my medical goes. It will get off glassy water with 4 aboard and half tanks,with a good cruise app.110 mph.Love it.
Jay, e-mail, 04.01.2011 06:43
Eat your heart out! I've got the best C-17X model ever made with the best engine/prop combination. 1960 C-175A Skylark with 1980's steam guaged panel, a 6V-350 Franklin normally aspirated, rated at 235 HP with controllable pitch prop, 9gph at low cruise (2300 rpm-133kts,) GPS's (2), old but good radios, Hodgekin STOL (VGs, fences, leading edge cuffs, droop tips, flap and aileron seals) sorry to brag, but I just got this acft last Sept and I'm just so fond of it already, I can't stop singing its praises. Operated from 6135 feet, STOL good, off and on a 1900 ft dirt strip with power lines at both ends...700 ft takeoff at gross, short soft landing at best effort about 500 ft full performance, challenge these, but great fun...59 kts over the fence...working on slower...am told it can hold slope at 50 kts, with power, fully controllable. Working on it, but this is the funnest C17X I've ever flown... and that's over 3,000 hours. The rest of the hours are in many other marks up to C414, but this is MY bird. I have fun with controllers who insist on calling it a C182, Skyhawk, etc! Apologize for my excitement but I love to share the wealth!
Robert Urban, e-mail, 11.12.2010 07:07
I FLEW MY 1977 R172K FOR 26 YEARS AND LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. A GREAT SHORT FIELD PLANE.
Robert King, e-mail, 10.12.2010 21:08
I learned to fly in the late 60’s in Detroit, MI at DTW prior to the big boys taking over. After gaining my license I flew a Cherokee 180 several Cesena’s including the 150, 172, 177 these are the models our club had. Then as the wisdom of youth led me down the primrose path in around 1969, my partner and I purchased a Cessna 182 N2974Y. We owned this fine aircraft until the mid 80’s. Many fabulous trips were taken including one to Alaska. With many hundred hours logged on the aircraft, I can only sing praise to it. Our O470 consumed (actually expelling it through the breather) a lot of oil which was washed across the belly. After exhausting other options to resolve the oil issue, we had our FBO install a factory remanufactured engine, this move helped with the oil consumption. So with all that said. The air craft performed as the most stable and best performing platform I have ever flown. While reflecting on times gone by, I wonder if this fine aircraft is still flying. If anyone knows please let me know. rrking7@yahoo.com
kent parsons, e-mail, 09.12.2010 13:48
My father owned several Cessnas starting in the mid 50's with a tail dragger. went to flyins around the midwest as a family nearly every weekend. He always said they were the best small plane ever built; could go anywhere and do much more than the specs allowed. I miss those days.
David Perkins, e-mail, 03.12.2010 18:53
The Cessna Cardinal is missing, I owned a model 177b, a fine aircraft.
Andy G3PKW, e-mail, 02.12.2010 23:18
Got to be the finest light airplane ever. Best memory, lovely summer eve in 172 with VP prop. on perfect glide slope into Liverpool old field on R26. magic !
Warren, e-mail, 01.12.2010 18:29
I have owned my 172K (1969) for 30 years. Its been a great bird! When I get into a discussion about which is superior "high" wing or "low" wing, I metion: "Where did GOD put the wings on the birds!"
John Kluenker, e-mail, 19.10.2010 22:30
Re: Cessna 175 My family has owned a 1958 Cessna 175 (straight tail with Continental GO-300) since 1994. It has been an incredible aircraft for all of us and I am a huge fan of 175's. She has gotten me out of sticky situations in the mountains on multiple occasions. If the engine is operated as intended, the combination of 175hp with the large diameter prop produces excellent climb performance compared with a 172. The other day, with two people on board and full tanks, we were at 12,000 feet in less than 20 minutes. Flew an 8.3 hour trip and burned 8.5 GPH on average. Never had a problem with the engine or with excessive fuel/oil consumption. Fantastic airplane with an undeserved poor reputation!!!
Gustav Z. HOLDOSI, e-mail, 16.10.2010 13:31
We operate actually 3 172-Reims-Rockets with 210HP-engine and are very happy about. Two of them are for IR-training, one for VFR-operation. The VFR-Rocket is operated with an engine "on conditíon" - with more than 2.800 hours (!) (yearly statement from this engine is from our authority requested)and it runs excellent without problems! There exists no better aircraft with this performance.
Michael Shore, e-mail, 14.10.2010 16:04
In my early years of flying, flying the 175 made me feel on top of the world. I was powerful and had a good feel to it. But, as stated it did have its problems. I had a fuel leak in one at one time and a fire broke out in the cowling. Otherwise, I enjoyed the plane.
Maria-Lisa Dilda, e-mail, 03.10.2010 17:15
Such a great little plane is the 172 and the 182, that most of Civil Air Patrol uses them exclusively for Searcha dn Rescue and flight training. Great little plane, great resources for CAP!
Jarvis H. Renfrow, Sr., e-mail, 03.10.2010 05:18
I have owned 2 Cessna 150's, and four Cessna Skyhawks so far and I am 79 years old and solowed on my 16th birthday. Thousands of hours flying from the Artic Circle to the Vergin Islands. My 1972 Skyhawk had 2 tip tanks and a fuselage tank, people would say no way can you fly a Cessna 172 that far without stopping. At present I am flying with my wife as pilot in command in our Cessna 172 SP Skyhawk, I love that extra power of the 180 HP Lycoming Engine.
Dudley Hixson, e-mail, 15.09.2010 20:05
Owned and flew a Cessna R-172K, with IO-360 K2B Continental, for 7 years. Great airplane with excellent short field capabilities. I still miss it, even after 20 years.
Shawn, 07.09.2010 18:11
Where is the Cardinal? The 177 was a big departure for Cessna - and although it only had a 10 year run it was one of the coolest planes they ever built.
Chris Ambrose, e-mail, 24.08.2010 11:46
I have owned a C-172-K for the last 20 years and have put well over 1500 hrs on her and a finer airplane has not been built ! She is a joy to fly and does everything well!It is cheap to own and fly and would recommend this airplane to anyone looking to buy an airplane ! It also is one of the loves of my life !
Ed Woerle, e-mail, 11.08.2010 20:16
The T41A is actually a mix of the 172F and Skyhawk. I own the 32nd -41A delivered. It, like all A models, has the Continental O300D engine. When delivered, it sported a single Mk 12 radio and non-heated pitot. Cost ~$13,300 each.
Ross TOWNSEND, e-mail, 21.04.2010 20:35
I owned and flew a C-170B (1954 model) for 8 yrs.. C-GIOR, flew it for about 400 hrs, across Canada and USA. A very forgiving and gentle handling tail dragger..hated to part with it..
John A. hansen, e-mail, 26.03.2010 03:18
I had a 1961 C-175, swept tail, w/ the GO-300C engine, S/N 56660. After first 25 hrs of ownership in 1969, I changed the oil. The pieces that came out in the oil were big enough to cary serial numbers! After $4004.10 (in 1972 dollars) I was back in the air. Only had two failures after that. It always ran hot, and used quite a bit of fuel, but never in the 13 gph range.
Doug Rodrigues, e-mail, 13.03.2010 09:45
Re: Model 175. The Cessna 175 had a fixed pitch prop until the 1961 model. I owned a 1960 model serial no. 56393, N6893E. The geared engine could sure drink the gasoline! I finally converted to a Lyc O-360A1D and a constant speed prop. That alone doubled the rate of climb and brough the fuel consumption down to 10.9 GPH, from about 13 GPH @ 3200 rpm.
Geo. Watts, e-mail, 12.03.2010 17:59
I owned a 1979 172XP. Great airplane. Flew it, came with a float kit, for 20 years. Covered much of Canada, the Artic and even Alaska. The engine was rated at 210 HP and with the larger engine, the one the military used, it made a greaT float plane. It was full IFR. Had PK 2300 floats and was a dream to fly. Put 2300 hours on same engine and was gong strong when I sold because of old age setting in. At 80 of age today it was the love of my life.
Bruce, e-mail, 26.02.2010 05:49
The Laughlin AFB, TX aero club aquired two T-41As when the Air Force retired them. I have many fond memories as a newly minted pilot flying these in the early 80's. They were freshened-up with new paint and upholstery, but not much else. A half-working nav/com and transponder kept me awake on quite a few crosscountries! Nonetheless, $25/hr wet was an easy choice for an E-4.
hussain, e-mail, 05.08.2009 10:27
can you send me some more information about training flights
George E. Sutton, e-mail, 01.09.2008 22:47
I owned a 170B with crosswind landing gear, a real great help in Nevade where every village has an air strip, rarely aligned with the prevailing wind! Loved it, but as my two sons kept growing, we had to move up!
George E. Sutton, e-mail, 01.09.2008 22:47
I owned a 170B with crosswind landing gear, a real great help in Nevade where every village has an air strip, rarely aligned with the prevailing wind! Loved it, but as my two sons kept growing, we had to move up!
