1981 Cessna 172RG
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
Description
Make / Model: Cessna 172RG Year: 1981 Total Time: 4030 hours (still flying), only 1070 landings Annual: 100h Inspection & ARC until January 2026 Home Base: Northern Germany This Cessna 172RG Cutlass is the perfect blend of classic design and modern refinement. With a professionally updated paint scheme, upgraded LED lighting, and top-tier maintenance, this aircraft is ready for both efficient touring and reliable everyday flying. Equipped with the more powerful Lycoming O-360-F1A6 (180 HP) engine and a constant-speed propeller, this aircraft delivers performance that sets it apart in its class. • Cruise Performance @ 5,000 ft (65% power): 160 MPH TAS at 8 GPH (rich of peak) • Cruise Performance @ 10,000 ft (75% power): 175 MPH TAS at 9 GPH (rich of peak) • Certified for automotive (Super Plus) and unleaded fuels per Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1070. This aircraft offers true 4-seat capability, short-field performance, and the reliability of the high-wing Cessna design - enhanced by retractable gear for reduced drag and increased cruise speeds.
Interior
High-quality leather seats in matching color scheme Cabin in excellent condition
Exterior
Professional modern paint in white with red, white, and gold accents High-gloss polish with premium ceramic coating for long-term protection WAT/Whelen LED landing lights and beacon installed for enhanced visibility
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hangar One
planecheck.com
|
$178,597 *
€ 155,900
|
Germany | May 03, 2026 | 50 days | 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 172RG
This 1981 Cessna 172RG (D-EBGW) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 4,030 hours on the airframe. There are currently 27 172RG aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $55,000 to $222,245. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $178,597.
The 172RG cruises at 140 kts (259 km/h) with a range of 720 nm (1,333 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 16,800 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 10 GPH (38 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $55/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $145/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $18,000. With 4,030 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 2 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 172RG — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 172RG
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 172RG. 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 (D-EBGW) is registered outside the US.
Location & Ownership
Aircraft Location
Germany
DE
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 database checked for D-EBGW.
Note: NTSB covers US-registered aircraft (N-numbers). This aircraft is registered in a non-US country (D-EBGW). Safety records from the national aviation authority may not be included in our database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 172RG
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 2 recent ADs 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 172RG
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF NON-FLYING OUTSIDE STORAGE, WE FOUND BOTH AILERON CONTROL CABLES CORRODED WHERE THEY PASS OVER THE PULLEYS AT THE TOP OF THE CABIN AT THE WING ROOT. REFER TO AILERON CABLE CORROSION INSPECTION. O...
AFTER TAKE OFF, THE LANDING GEAR SELECTOR HANDLE WAS RE-POSITIONED TO RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR. THE LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT FULLY RETRACTED. THE EMERGENCY HAND PUMP WAS USED TO MANUALLY EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIR...
MOMENTARILY AFTER LANDING GEAR RETRACTION DURING TRAINING, THE LANDING GEAR MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS FOUND DISENGAGED. ONE CB RESET ATTEMPTED BUT RESULTED IN ANOTHER TRIPPING. CB WAS LEFT DISENGAGED. VERY SLIGHT ODOR WAS NOTICED. MANUAL LANDING EXTE...
NOSE GEAR UP HOSE P/N S2178-4-0105 PULLED OUT OF ITS CRIMPED FERRULE ON LANDING GEAR UP CYCLE DURING FLIGHT. ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID LOST FROM HYDRAULIC POWER PACK. EMERGENCY GEAR DOWN SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO NO HYDRAULIC FLUID.
LOST 50% OF MY ENGINE POWER DURING A CLIMB FROM 9,500 TO 11,000 FT. HAD A SLIGHT KNOCKING NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER LOSS. WAS CONCERNED OF A MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE AND MADE A SAFE EMERGANCY LANDING IN BAKERFIELD, CA. A REPORT IS ON FILE AT THE LO...
PROPELLER GOVERNOR FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. GOVERNOR FLUCTUATED IN FLIGHT.
(CAN) PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD NO GREEN GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED LIGHT INDICATION. HE COULD SEE THAT THE MAIN GEAR WAS DOWN, AND HE FLEW BY THE TOWER TO GET A VISUAL REPORT FROM THE CONTROLLER. THEY REPORTED THAT THE GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN. UPON LAND...
THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, PN 2432000-201, MAIN FRONT SPAR, PN 0532001-98 AND REINFORCEMENT PN 0531037-1 WERE FOUND CRACKED, CRACKS RADIATING OUT FROM THE CENTER LIGHTNING HOLE, RESULTING IN TWO SEPARATE PLACES.
MAGNETO FAILED. DRIVE GEAR SEIZED DUE TO IMPULSE COUPLING GETTING JAMMED ON HOUSING. CAUSED MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR TEETH TO BE STRIPPED OFF BY ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR IN ENGINE. SEVERE ENGINE ROUGHNESS DURING TAKE OFF ROLL RESULTED IN ABORTED TAKE OFF.
BOLTS USED FOR THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD AND END CAP. ONE OF THE BOLTS SHOWED SIGNS OF A 45 DEGREE FRACTURE AND SIGNS OF BEING STRETCHED AND BENDING CAUSING THE BOLT TO BREAK. THE END CAP ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF BEING DEFORMED FROM ONE OF THE TWO BO...
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
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