Cessna 172 "Skyhawk"
The Skyhawk is one of the mainstays of flight training and personal flight. A & M provides a number of "hawks" for rental, from a 1998 172R model to a modern 2006 172SP with a G1000 glass panel. They all have autopilots, Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) certified Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Receivers, and some have full-color multi-function displays, as well. The 172R has the 160HP engine, while all the others are S models with 180HP.
We have a Garmin G-1000-equipped 172, what is commonly called a "glass panel." Because of the advanced avionics, it does require additional instruction and checkout, and has a recency requirement with a shorter period than the other 172's.
But even the "steam gauge" 172's we have qualify as "Technically Advanced Aircraft."
The 172's have enough room that four people can fit comfortably, though that will usually necessitate leaving with less than full tanks. Most of them have leather interiors, for that extra touch of luxury.
For more information, see the Wikipedia article on the Skyhawk.
Specifications
| 172R | 172SP | |
| Places | 4 | |
| Useful Load | 764 lbs | 832 - 887 lbs |
| Cruise speed | 118KTS@75% | 123KTS @75% |
| Fuel burn | 8.6 gph@75% | 10 gph @75% |
| Fuel capacity | 53 gal | 53 gal |
| Ceiling | 14,000 | 14,000 |
| Range | 675NM @60% | 640NM @45% |
| Avionics | KLN autopilot | KLN IFR panel autopilot MFD (some) G1000 (some) |
| Tail | Type | Empty Weight | Gross Weight | Empty Moment |
| N72662 | 172R | 1686 | 2450 | 66.088 |
| N5105N | 172SP | 1693 | 2550 | 68.495 |
| N5133K | 172SP | 1693 | 2550 | 68.995 |
| N5351W | 172SP | 1718 | 2550 | 70.569 |
| N363MA | 172SP | 1695 | 2550 | 66.791 |
| N6131L | 172SP (G1000) | 1741 | 2550 | 72.442 |
Disclaimer: These values for comparison only and are not to be considered official numbers. It is the Pilot in Command's responsibility to verify any numbers used in calculating performance against official numbers found in the airplane's Operating Handbook.