1981 Cessna 172 P
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedDescription
For sale is a 1981 Cessna 172P. The aircraft is fully SIDS compliant and has just completed a 100-hourly inspection, during which extensive corrosion work was carried out on the tail fin internals. Inside the cabin, the aircraft features newly recovered leather seats and new rear passenger windows.
The aircraft is powered by a Lycoming O-320 D2J engine, which has been running 'On Condition' since 21-02-25 with 2043.54 engine hours. The propeller was overhauled on 15/10/21 and has 1892.9 hours remaining to run.
Please contact Nick Jones at Airflite to arrange an inspection or to receive further details.
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Listing Source
planesales.com.au
|
$132,045
$130,898
|
Australia | Jul 02, 2026 | 15 days | Active |
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Cessna 172 P loan calculator
AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 172 P
This 1981 Cessna 172 P (VH-VAX) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 8,932 hours on the airframe. This aircraft is listed at the market average at $132,045.
The 172 P cruises at 122 kts (226 km/h) with a range of 585 nm (1,083 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 14,000 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 8.5 GPH (32 L/h), which at current 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $53/hr in fuel alone. With 8,932 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 10 airworthiness directives 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 172 P — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 172 O-320 160hp
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 172 O-320 160hp. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registry covers US-registered aircraft (N-numbers).
This aircraft (VH-VAX) is registered outside the US.
Location & Ownership
Aircraft Location
Australia
AU
Seller reportedTitle 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 VH-VAX against the NTSB accident database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 172
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 10 recent ADs found for this aircraft type.
Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company Models 150, 152, 170, 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 190, 195, 206, 207, 210, T303, 336, and 337 Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 172 Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA01303WI
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 206, 207, 208, 210, 303, 336, and 337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 172, 175, 180, 182, 185, 206, 207, 208, 210, and 303 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R, 172S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H Airplanes
View full AD →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 172
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
NR 4 CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED ACROSS COOLING FINS IN FLIGHT. CREW NOTICED LOSS OF POWER/SHUDDER.
CAM GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED/SEATED DURING INITIAL MANUFACTURING WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR AND DAMAGE TO THE CAM GEAR DURING ROTATION AGAINST THE DISTRIBUTOR GEAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST 500HR INSPECTION SINCE MANUFACTURE.
AMMETER SHOWING DISCHARGE, NO VOLTAGE TO FIELD.
ELT FOUND INOPERATIVE DURING INSPECTION.
FLAPS FAILURE ON FINAL. LOOKED TO THE FLAPS AND SAW RIGHT FLAP FULL DOWN WITH LEFT FLAP FULL UP. RAISED THE FLAP LEVER TO 0 AND RIGHT FLAP WENT FULL UP. LANDED WITH NO FLAPS.
DISPLAY LIGHTS UNREADABLE.
UNKNOWN, TIRE LOST AIR FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.
RIGHT FUEL TANK, 5" CRACK ALONG THE REAR OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT WELD
RIGHT FUEL TANK, 6" CRACK ALONG REAR OF FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT WELD
ON AUGUST 23, 2022 AN ENGINE EXAMINATION WAS CONDUCTED AT AIR SALVAGE OF DALLAS UNDER FAA OVERSIGHT. A GVI ON THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER FOUND 4 SMALLER DIAMETER STUDS AND 1 LARGER DIAMETER STUD FRACTURED. THESE DECK STUD BOLTS EXHIBITED FATIGUE FAILURE/I...
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
Price vs Typical Asking Range
This asking price is within the typical asking range for this model, roughly $117,450–$161,854.
Based on current asking prices for comparable listings — asking prices only, not an appraisal or sale price.
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