4-occupant single-engine piston aircraft · Single-engine piston aircraft · production 1981–1986 · See its reach on the 3D globe
A Cessna 172P Skyhawk costs approximately $113k (€105k) to $135k (€125k) to buy at 1984 market values, and about $63k (€58k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $788 (€730) per flight hour all-in. It seats 4, cruises at 120 kt (138 mph) and has a published range of 875 nm (1,621 km), needing about 1,624 ft (495 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The 172P is the last and most developed of the classic Skyhawks, built up to the 1986 shutdown of Cessna piston production, and it carries a higher gross weight than the N it replaced. That extra allowance is the main reason to prefer one. The limitation is the one every 172 has: four seats and fuel for four are alternatives rather than a package, so plan it as two adults with bags. Later P models trade 40 degrees of flap for 30, which purists mourn and go-arounds forgive. Buy it for the instructor pool and the parts shelf, not for load.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1,089 kg |
|---|---|
| Useful load | 442 kg |
| Usable fuel | 189 L |
| Landing distance | 390 m |
| Service ceiling | 13,000 ft |
| Maximum climb rate | 700 ft/min |
| Stall speed | 44 KCAS |
| Baggage weight | 54 kg |
| Engine | Lycoming O-320-D2J piston engine, 160 hp |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 4 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 622 lb (282 kg) |
| Published planning range | 875 nm (1,621 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 586 nm (1,085 km) |
| Cruise speed | 120 kt (138 mph) |
| Runway need | ~1,624 ft (495 m) |
| Landing gear | Fixed tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $13k (€12k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $151 (€140) |
The 172P Skyhawk combines 4-seat piston-aircraft utility with about 875 NM reported range and about 120 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Indicative cash costs at 1984 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $57k (€53k) | $1,426 (€1,320) | $408k (€378k) |
| 80 h / year | $63k (€58k) | $788 (€730) | $438k (€406k) |
| 120 h / year | $69k (€64k) | $576 (€533) | $469k (€434k) |
| 180 h / year | $78k (€72k) | $434 (€402) | $514k (€476k) |
Every figure above is built from a $13k (€12k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $151 (€140) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $31k (€29k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Cessna 172P Skyhawk cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
Nothing beyond a pilot certificate for the category and class. With fixed tricycle gear and no endorsement requirement of its own, this is among the simplest certified aircraft to qualify in, which is a real part of why it is cheap to insure and easy to check out in.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 1984 market price for a Cessna 172P Skyhawk is $113k (€105k) to $135k (€125k). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Cessna 172P Skyhawk works out at roughly $63k (€58k) annually, which is about $788 (€730) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $151 (€140).
Published range is 875 nm (1,621 km). With 4 people aboard and realistic reserves, plan on a practical radius of about 586 nm rather than the brochure figure.
Plan on approximately 1,624 ft (495 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.
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