1977 Cessna 172N
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
IFRDescription
For Sale: 1978 Cessna 172N Skyhawk N-Number: N738FQ Year: 1978 Model: Cessna 172N Skyhawk Airframe Time: 8,822.6 hours Exterior: White with black and red trim. This 1978 Cessna 172N Skyhawk is a well-equipped, proven aircraft with solid avionics and desirable upgrades. The 172N is known for its reliability, forgiving flight characteristics, and low operating costs, making it ideal for flight training, personal ownership, or time building. Engine Make: Lycoming Model: O-320-H2AD (T-Mod) Engine Serial #: RL-349-76T Time Since Overhaul: 371.9 hours SMOH Upgrade: Power Flow exhaust system Propeller Make: McCauley fixed-pitch Model: 1C160 / DTM7557M1 Prop Serial #: ASC4404 Time: New (0 hours) Avionics: COM/NAV Radios:Bendix/King KX-165 (TSO)Bendix/King KX-155 (TSO)Audio Panel: Garmin GMA 340GPS: Garmin 650Transponder: Appareo Systems Stratus ESG (ADS-B Out)Autopilot: TruTrak Vision AutopilotGarmin Glass / Upgrades:Garmin G5 ADIGarmin G5 HSIGarmin GAD 29DGarmin GMU 11Garmin GPS 175Garmin GA 35 antennaThis aircraft represents a great value with modern Garmin avionics, low-time engine since overhaul, new propeller, and ADS-B compliance. Well-suited for training environments or an owner-pilot looking for a dependable and capable Skyhawk.
Engine
O-320-H2AD
Propeller
McCauley fixed-pitch
Exterior
White with black and red trim. This 1978 Cessna 172N Skyhawk is a well-equipped, proven aircraft with solid avionics and desirable upgrades. The 172N is known for its reliability, forgiving flight characteristics, and low operating costs, making it ideal for flight training, personal ownership, or time building.
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison 1 active offer
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Christine Nish
controller.com
|
$185,000
|
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Mar 25, 2026 | — | Active | |
|
Christine Nish
aviationtrader.com.au
|
$190,757
|
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Australia | Apr 04, 2026 | — | Active | |
|
Christine Nish
controlleremea.co.uk
|
$188,433 *
GBP £139,865
|
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Apr 04, 2026 | — | Active |
* Converted to USD at daily European Central Bank (ECB) exchange rates
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 172N
This 1977 Cessna 172N (N738FQ) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 8,822 hours on the airframe. There are currently 57 172N aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $64,000 to $259,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $185,000.
The 172N cruises at 122 kts (226 km/h) with a range of 640 nm (1,185 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 8.5 GPH (32 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $47/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $130/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $18,000. With 8,822 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,000 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. There are 1 airworthiness directive applicable to this aircraft type — review AD compliance carefully before purchase. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 172N — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 172N
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 172N. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N738FQ.
Location & Ownership
Title Status
No FAA title records
Available for US-registered aircraft only
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.
Safety Record
NTSB safety data coming soon.
We'll check N738FQ against the NTSB accident database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 172N
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 1 recent AD found for this aircraft type.
Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172N, 172P, R172K, 172RG, F172N, F172P, FR172J, and FR172K Airplanes
View full AD →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 172N
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
EXHAUST VALVE FAILED DUE TO HEAT STRESS, CAUSING LOW COMPRESSION, LOW ENGINE SPEED AND ENGINE VIBRATIONS WHILE AT CRUISE.
WHILE ON APPROACH TO LAND AT KXBP BASE TO FINAL, THE CFII AND HER STUDENT HEARD A POP IN THE AIRFRAME. THEY NOTICED THE LEFT FLAP WAS "FLAPPING" A LITTLE AND DIDN'T SEEM TO BE SECURED IN THE PROPER CONFIGURATION COMPARED TO THE RH SIDE. THE CFII TO...
CASE CRACKED AT TOP BASE OF #2 CYLINDER, LEAKING OIL
NEW TUBE HAD A SLOW LEAK WHERE STEM REINFORCEMENT PATCH AND MANUFACTURE SEAM INTERSECTED. NOTE: THIS TUBE WAS BRAND NEW AND WAS NEVER ENTERED INTO SERVICE. THE TUBE WAS ALSO NOT A PART OF ANY PRE-ASSEMBLED ASSEMBLY.
L/H FLAP BINDING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO L/H FLAP & L/H FLAP DRIVE PULLEY. REPLACED DAMAGED PARTS
FOUND BOTH AILERON CABLES P/N MC0510105-324 FRAYED AT OUTBOARD PULLEY. AILERON CABLES TSN: 2973.9
OFF FLAG INOPERATIVE, FLAG DOES NOT PULL.
DURING SB388C, EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE INSPECTION FOUND 4EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F28835-10 & 4EA ROCKERS P/N 17F19357 TO HAVE HEAVY SCUFF - SCORING. ENGINE TT: 2741.1 SINCE FACTORY REBUILT.
VOLTAGE REGULATOR FAIL AFTER 66.2 HOURS OF OPERATION. AFTER REMOVAL FROM AIRCRAFT NOTICED TWO PART NUMBER STICKERS OVERLAPPING EACH OTHER. EACH STICKER HAD DIFFERENT SERIAL NUMBERS TOP S/N 80Y66728 BOTTOM 80X66735
WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT ACFT EXPERIENCED AND ENGINE STOPPAGE IN FLIGHT. ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH BRIEFLY FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE STOPPAGE. UPON VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE MAGNETO IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT NEITHER SET OF POINTS WERE BEING OPENED BY...
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
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