Cessna, which is undoubtedly one of the world's most established light aircraft manufacturers, has been in the business long enough to see its models come and go. Many times the company has seen some of its aircraft models capture the imaginations of aviators and plane owners alike the moment these step out of the assembly lines. However, in just a few years, sales of these models become much less lucrative. Ultimately, Cessna is prompted to halt production of such models. However, there are some models that still continue to satisfy the users. The manufacturer has no other choice but to continue its production. Such is the case of the Cessna 172.
The 172 was first introduced into the light aircraft market in 1956. That was more than half of a century ago but why it remains in the market is a confirmation of the fact that this light single-engine aircraft is indeed one of excellent quality. Had it failed to satisfy pilots, passengers, and proprietors, this plane would have seen the end of its production long ago. Those who wish to own it would have to make do with the used or second-hand ones. But the 172 remains popular and much in demand that is why it continues to sell.
The Cessna 172 is not a product of hype though. The reason why it remains on the top of the most popular light aircraft is not because it was promoted well, with advertisements launched in great scope and frequency. This plane became a hit because of its actual performance. Pilots just cannot ignore the power and maneuverability of this plane. While the 172 is not really as small as the previous models from Cessna, those who have flown it claim that they felt that they were just flying a less sophisticated and much lighter plane, such as the Cessna 150. The only thing that could remind them that they are actually dealing with a bigger plane is when they carry more than four passengers in the plane's spacious cabin.
Often called by its nickname, the Skyhawk, the 172 has never been considered as a guzzler. This plane has a fuel capacity of 56 US gallons. With this amount of fuel, it can already cover a range of 696 nautical miles. Its cruise speed is at 122 knots. Pilots may however decide to go faster but they should not go beyond the 163 knots limit. This is to avoid overheating the engine. The units that have come out from Cessna's assembly lines have been fitted with Garmin GDU-1040 Primary Flight Display for avionics. This feature just made the plane even more desirable. With modifications continuously being introduced, there is no doubt that this plane would dominate the market for a long time.