With over 45,000 models being produced, the Cessna 172 is the most famous aircraft in the industry. However, despite its popularity, the Cessna 172 is yet to be shown by many casual travelers who may be more familiar with larger commercial jets like the B737, A321, B787, or A350. 

Primarily used in the general aviation market, the Cessna 172 is one of the oldest and most versatile aircraft. The aircraft is used anywhere from pilot flight training to convenient transportation for a weekend getaway. 

History of the Cessna 172

The Cessna Aircraft Company, initially founded in 1927 as the Cessna-Roos Aircraft Company, was behind developing and producing the tremendously popular Cessna 172. 

Cessna's first aircraft, the Cessna DC-6, earned its certification on September 29, 1929, the same day the stock market crashed, sending the United States into the Great Depression. The company was then forced to shut down through the Great Depression and into the Second World War. 

After World War II brought the United States out of depression and into the economic and industrial boom, the Cessna Aircraft Company reopened its doors. It looked to cement its place as a leading aircraft manufacturer. 

The history of the Cessna 172 is traced back to the 1940s. In the 1950s, the C172 was developed as a tricycle landing gear version of the older Cessna 170 model. 

In addition, Cessna added a larger engine, larger elevators (to control vertical movement), and an increased angle tail fin. Originally certified as a version of the C170, the C172 was later certificated with its type certification.

Early Days of the Cessna 172

On June 12, 1955, the Cessna 172 took to the skies for the first time in its long and rich history. With the first production model delivered to a customer in 1956 for a price of $8,995, over the next five years, Cessna produced almost 4,200 Cessna 172 models. 

In 1956, the first year of production alone, Cessna produced 1,400 aircraft, demonstrating the immediate and immense popularity of the C172. 

1960s Innovation and Variants

In the 1960s, the popularity of the Cessna 172 continued to soar as Cessna added over 18 variants of the C172, each with minor tweaks to the original 1956 models. 

Throughout the '60s, Cessna shortened the landing gear, reshaped the engine cowling, and added an optional autopilot and adjustable seats. In addition, the 1963 C172D had a one-piece windshield and wraparound "omni-vision" rear window that gave the pilot much greater visibility in front of and behind the aircraft. 

Many more minor adjustments to avionics, electrical systems, and flight controls over the next few decades. Still, interestingly, the overall structure and look of the C172 have remained essentially the same throughout its history. 

Into the 21st Century

Despite its nearly 70-year-old history, the Cessna 172 continues to progress with modern technology into the 21st Century. In the early 2000s, the first Garmin G1000 systems were installed into Cessna 172 aircraft, creating an all-glass cockpit to replace the aging analog instrument panel in many aircraft from the 20th Century. 

In addition to avionics systems, modern versions of the Cessna 172 have also been outfitted with other modern technologies, like autopilot, advanced GPS systems, and more. 

What is the Cessna 172 Used For Today?

Today, the Cessna 172 is used primarily as a flight training aircraft, with some also using it as a personal aircraft for leisure. Many private owners take advantage of the 640 nautical mile range that the Cessna 172 boasts, allowing pilots to fly nonstop on routes like New York to Chicago without refueling. 

The Cessna 172 has been used to set numerous world records, including the longest continuous flight without landing for a single-engine aircraft. The world record flight lasted for 64 days, 22 hours and 19 minutes!

The C172 is also among the most affordable aircraft, with a new version costing around $360,000 or $30,000 to $240,000 for a used version. 

In addition, the C172 has some of the lowest operational costs of any aircraft. This affordability makes the C172 appealing for flight schools and first-time aircraft owners. 

One of the Best Aircraft for Flight Training

The Cessna 172 has been hailed as one of the safest and most reliable training aircraft ever produced for decades. The aircraft boasts an astonishingly low ratio of 0.56 fatal crashes per 100,000 hours of flying, a ratio almost three times lower than the average for general aviation aircraft in the United States. 

In addition to its unparalleled safety track record, the Cessna 172's design makes it an excellent choice for student pilots. The aircraft has been nicknamed the "land-o-matic" due to the simplicity and ease of landing a C172 comes with. 

The high angle of attack during approach and low stall speed makes the C172 effortlessly settle to the ground. Furthermore, the tricycle landing gear enhances control stability.

With the tricycle landing gear system, the aircraft's center of gravity is in front of the main landing wheels, helping the aircraft straighten during landings.

The large flight control surfaces of the Cessna 172 also make the aircraft extremely forgiving to pilots-in-training. The C172 can handle high bank angles and has a deficient stall speed, making it the perfect aircraft to practice maneuvers to fulfill private pilot license requirements. 

Cessna 172 Military Use Around the World

In addition to civilian use, the Cessna 172 also has a long history of military use. In 1964, the US Air Force ordered 237 Cessna T-41A aircraft (an army variant of the Cessna 172). Air Force student pilots used these aircraft as an introduction to flight.

While the US Air Force phased out the Cessna 172 in the early 2000s, the C172 is still a crucial part of over two dozen air forces worldwide, including Singapore, Argentina, Angola, Ireland, Austria, and Bolivia.

Because of its value as a training aircraft, the Cessna 172 continues to play a significant role in training the next generation of Air Force pilots worldwide. 

With nearly 70 years of history since its creation in 1956, the Cessna 172 has significantly impacted all aspects of aviation. Whether used for flight training in the civilian or military spheres or as a reliable form of transportation, the Cessna 172 has transformed general aviation.

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