Is the Skyhawk the best plane ever?
If you take a look at our fleet of aircraft at Jeff Air Pilot Services, you’ll notice common make and model info among the group: Cessna 172.
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk isn’t just our plane of choice at Jeff Air — it’s arguably the best aircraft ever for private pilots and especially those who are beginning their adventures in aviation at a flight training center.
With more than 44,000 Skyhawks leaving Cessna’s factory since 1956, the 172 is easily the most produced aircraft and its popularity among flight instructors, flight schools and training programs is a major reason why. While the Cessna 172 has undergone some design tweaks and technology upgrades, the majority of the aircraft is the same today when it was first built more than 60 years ago.
You’d be hard pressed to find a pilot working in the industry today who hasn’t logged ample hours in the co*ckpit of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk — simply because it’s consistently been viewed as the easiest airplane in which to learn to fly.
The Cessna 172 includes a collection of features and forgiving characteristics that make it ideally suited for flight school students. The most important of which is the Skyhawk’s high-wing design.
With the wings placed above the fuselage instead of underneath it, Cessna 172 pilots are given far better visibility of the world around them without wings blocking any of their view. This makes the entire experience in a Skyhawk easier for students learning their way around the aircraft, the skies and runways alike. Additionally, wings above also allow for a larger door and easier access to and from the co*ckpit.
Perhaps more important than the 172’s ease of flying, and what really makes it such a popular flight school aircraft, is its ease of landing. The Skyhawk features a “tricycle” style of landing gear first made popular by World War II bombers. With one front nosewheel, the plane’s center of gravity sits in front of the main wheels. If a student pilot — one not quite yet an expert at landing — comes in somewhat crooked, the weight and center of gravity of the 172 will naturally pull the airplane straight. With conventional landing gear, where center of gravity is behind the main wheels, a plane can be pushed even more crooked upon an imperfect landing.
Engineered with the perfect balance of stability and speed yet not overly sensitive, the Cessna 172 is easy for beginners and flight school students to control. In fact, if ever caught in an inadvertent stall or spin, the plane’s built-in aerodynamic stability takes effect upon releasing the controls and brings the aircraft back straight and level.
Whether you’re looking to launch a career in aviation, have a dream to obtain your personal pilot’s license or simply want to cross an item off your bucket list, the Cessna 172 is the perfect aircraft with which to take flight. It’s become the most popular plane in the world for a reason and we’d be happy to show you more about what makes the Cessna 172 Skyhawk so great. Reach out to the Jeff Air Pilot Services crew today and we’ll get your avionic adventures started in one of our trusty Cessna 172 Skyhawks.
FAQs
Engineered with the perfect balance of stability and speed yet not overly sensitive, the Cessna 172 is easy for beginners and flight school students to control.
What plane do most flight schools use? ›
Cessna 172: The Cessna 172 is one of the most common airplanes used by flight schools and is a very common instrument training aircraft. Different models of the Cessna Skyhawk include newer 180-horsepower and 160-hp airplanes with fuel-injected four-cylinder engines.
Why is the Cessna 172 good for training? ›
With the wings placed above the fuselage instead of underneath, Cessna 172 pilots are given far better visibility of the world around them without the wing area blocking their view. It makes the entire experience easier for student pilots learning their way around the training aircraft, the skies, and runways alike.
What is the most common student pilot plane? ›
Cessna 172 G1000 – The Most Popular Training Aircraft
The majority of American pilots have begun their careers in the training aircraft of a Cessna, and the 172 is a popular airplane for aviation enthusiasts to buy for personal use after earning their private certificate.
Which Cessna is best for flight training? ›
Training Excellence: The Cessna 172 is a popular choice for flight training due to its ease of handling, excellent visibility, and forgiving flight characteristics. It's an excellent platform for honing your piloting skills.
What is the number 1 aviation school in the US? ›
1. Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN) Let's kick off our top 10 list with Purdue University, nestled in the heart of Indiana. This reputable institution has been catapulting aviation enthusiasts into the skies since 1930.
What is the fatality rate of a Cessna 172? ›
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk has an impressive safety record, especially when compared to the industry average. Statistically, the Cessna 172's fatal accident rate is . 56 per 100,000 hours. This is about half of the industry average rate of 1.2-1.4.
Should I train in a Cessna 152 or 172? ›
Most people do their initial training on the 152 as it is a little more economical. Cessna 172 is larger and more powerful. It offers a spacious co*ckpit, allowing for comfortable seating and ease of operation. Larger people may find the 172 more practical.
Is it hard to fly a Cessna 172? ›
With conventional landing gear, where center of gravity is behind the main wheels, a plane can be pushed even more crooked upon an imperfect landing. Engineered with the perfect balance of stability and speed yet not overly sensitive, the Cessna 172 is easy for beginners and flight school students to control.
What is the hardest rated pilot to get? ›
The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License is the most advanced certification a pilot can obtain.
Sport Pilot License
Typically this certificate is ideal for individuals that do not want to go through the hassle of obtaining a medical and only wish to fly for purely recreational purposes. Requirements: Must hold a Valid Driver's License or at least a Class 3 Medical. 20 hours minimum flight time logged.
What airline do pilots prefer? ›
A few companies have worked hard to create a family-like culture that people want to work in long term. Southwest and Delta are two domestic examples of companies with loyal followings. Forbes and other business publications often rank airlines (and other companies) as top places to work.
Why did Cessna stop making the 172? ›
Cessna also built 172s in France when it acquired an interest in Reims Aviation in 1960, stopped production entirely in 1986 due to the high cost of liability, and resumed production in Independence, Kansas, 10 years later, after the General Aviation Revitalization Act became law.
How far can you fly a Cessna 172 in a day? ›
The modern day 172 Skyhawk's have a 696 nautical mile range with the standard 45 minute reserve running on 55% power at 12,000 ft. This equates to a ground distance of 1,289km's.
What is the nickname for the Cessna 172? ›
Some, on the other hand, continued flying 172s, passing on their knowledge as CFIs or landing jobs as traffic or fish spotters. Over time, people started calling them colorful names like "Chicken Hawk," or "Fryhawk" for those in warmer climates.
What planes does ATP flight school use? ›
Fleet. ATP Flight School has the largest multi-engine training fleet in the world, consisting exclusively of Piper Seminoles, with the exception of one Cessna CE-525 CitationJet. A mix of Piper Archers and Cessna CE-172 Skyhawks make up their single-engine fleet.
What is the most common plane to fly? ›
The 737 is operated by over 5,000 airlines across nearly 200 countries and remains the best-selling modern jet aircraft globally. Although introduced two decades after the Boeing 737, the Airbus A320 family has made a significant impact on the aviation industry.
