Cessna 162 vs Cessna 172

The Cessna 162 Skycatcher and the Cessna 172 Skyhawk are two very different Cessna trainers — the light-sport two-seat Skycatcher and the four-seat Skyhawk standard. The 162 is a simple LSA flyable on a sport pilot certificate; the 172 is the full four-seat trainer and the most-produced aircraft ever. Where each trades now is below.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Cessna 162
For sale now
4
Model years available
2011–2011
Cessna 172
For sale now
421
Median asking
$134,231
Range
$61,563–$324,965
Model years available
1956–2026

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Generations Breakdown

Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.

Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.

Cessna 162 — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale

Cessna 172 — 3 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 Continental 1956–1967 O-300 2300 118 520 136
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 131
172 O-320 160hp 1977–1986 O-320-H2AD/D2J 2400 122 585 103

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Cessna 162Cessna 172
All events86810
Serious3542
Fatal0960
Fatalities01802
% Fatal0%14%
View full Cessna 162 NTSB record →View full Cessna 172 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 162 Cessna 172
Cessna 162
View 5 listings →
Median $79,995
 Cessna 172
View 162 listings →
Median $134,231
Price Range $65,004 – $90,350 $61,563 – $324,965
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 2 4
Horsepower 100 HP 145–160 HP
Cruise Speed 100 kts (185 km/h) 118–122 kts (226 km/h)
Range 470 nm (870 km) 520–585 nm (1,083 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Max Gross Weight 1,320 lbs (599 kg) 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
Useful Load 470 lbs (213 kg) 878 lbs (398 kg)
Fuel Capacity 24.0 gal (91 L) 56.0 gal (212 L)
Fuel Burn 5.5 GPH (21 L/h) 8.6 GPH (33 L/h)
TBO 2,000 hrs 1,400 hrs
Overhaul Cost $18,000 $30,000
Annual Fixed $9,000 $18,000
Hourly Variable $80 $130
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 162

Fuel$30/hr
Variable$80/hr
Annual Fixed$9,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $25,000/yr

Cessna 172

Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $44,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 162 or Cessna 172?

Bottom line: Choose the 162 Skycatcher for the most economical, sport-pilot-friendly entry — a simple light-sport two-seater with low costs, flyable on a sport pilot certificate. Choose the 172 Skyhawk for the do-everything four-seater — more seats, range and capability, the full trainer with unmatched support. On safety both are benign, easy-handling Cessnas; the difference is category and capability, not safety. Sport-pilot LSA entry, or the four-seat standard.

Pick the 162 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$80/hr vs $130/hr.
  • Newer design — production from 2009 vs 1956.

Pick the 172 if…

  • Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $65,004, you save ~$3,441.
  • More seats — 4 vs 2.
  • Faster cruise — 118 kts vs 100 kts.
  • Longer range — 518 nm vs 470 nm.
  • More inventory — 162 listings vs 5.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Cessna 162 and 172?
The 162 Skycatcher is a two-seat light-sport aircraft (LSA); the 172 Skyhawk a four-seat standard-category trainer. The 162 is simpler and cheaper; the 172 carries more and does more.
Can you fly the 162 on a sport pilot certificate?
Yes — the Skycatcher is an LSA, flyable with a sport pilot certificate. The 172 is a standard-category aircraft requiring at least a private pilot certificate.
Which is more capable?
The 172 — four seats, more range and payload make it far more versatile. The 162 is built for economical two-seat training and sport flying.
Which is better, Cessna 162 or Cessna 172?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 162 cruises at 100 kts with 470 nm range. The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 162: from $62,147. Cessna 172: from $119,900. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 162 and Cessna 172?
162 engine: CONTINENTAL O-200-D (100 hp). 172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp). Seats: 2 vs 4. Cruise: 100 vs 118 kts. Range: 470 vs 518 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
162: about $80/hr variable cost. 172: about $130/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
162: 2 seats / 470 lb useful load. 172: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
162: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$18,000. 172: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data