Cessna 177 vs Cessna 180

The Cessna 177 Cardinal and the Cessna 180 Skywagon are both high-wing Cessnas from the same era with radically different personalities. The Cardinal (1967–1978) was Cessna's modernist experiment — a cantilever wing without the iconic strut, a wider cabin with a sliding door, and a roofline that looked more like a contemporary car than an airplane. Cessna designed it to replace the 172 and nearly killed the program in year one when early 150 hp variants struggled to climb; the later 177B with the 180 hp Lycoming O-360 resolved that problem and earned the Cardinal a devoted following. The Cessna 180 Skywagon (1953–1981) was the opposite of all that — a rugged, tailwheel-equipped utility hauler with a Continental O-470, serious useful load, and the unpretentious purpose of moving people and things into and out of places other Cessnas wouldn't go. The cross-shop happens when a buyer wants a vintage high-wing Cessna that does something the other genuinely cannot.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 177
For sale now
71
Median asking
$134,500
Range
$91,273–$189,850
Model years available
1967–1978
Cessna 180
For sale now
50
Median asking
$180,000
Range
$121,500–$304,430
Model years available
1953–1981

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

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 177Cessna 180
All events7661114
Serious8451
Fatal14187
Fatalities281166
% Fatal18%8%
View full Cessna 177 NTSB record →View full Cessna 180 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 177 Cessna 180
Cessna 177
View 34 listings →
Median $134,500
 Cessna 180
View 26 listings →
Median $180,000
Price Range $91,273 – $189,850 $121,500 – $304,430
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 4
Horsepower 150 HP 230 HP
Cruise Speed 120 kts (222 km/h) 140 kts (259 km/h)
Range 600 nm (1,111 km) 700 nm (1,296 km)
Service Ceiling 14,600 ft (4,450 m) 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Max Gross Weight 2,350 lbs (1,066 kg) 2,650 lbs (1,202 kg)
Useful Load 900 lbs (408 kg) 1,400 lbs (635 kg)
Fuel Capacity 50.0 gal (189 L) 60.0 gal (227 L)
Fuel Burn 9.0 GPH (34 L/h) 12.0 GPH (45 L/h)
TBO 2,000 hrs 1,700 hrs
Overhaul Cost $32,000 $30,000
Annual Fixed $18,000 $18,000
Hourly Variable $150 $155
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 177

Fuel$50/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $48,000/yr

Cessna 180

Fuel$66/hr
Variable$155/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $49,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 177 or Cessna 180?

Bottom line: Choose the Cessna 177 Cardinal for the wider, more comfortable cabin and tricycle gear — the Cardinal's cantilever wing gives it cleaner lines, and the sliding door makes entry and exit more natural than a conventional Cessna. The later 177B with the O-360 is the one to buy: adequate climb, 130 kt cruise, and the Cardinal's aesthetic without the early model's performance apology. Choose the Cessna 180 Skywagon for payload and versatility — the 180's Continental O-470 and higher gross weight give it genuine useful load for four adults with luggage, and its tailwheel configuration opens short, soft, and backcountry strips that reward the aircraft's intended purpose. Safety axis: the Cessna 180 requires a tailwheel endorsement and current tailwheel discipline — ground loops in a conventional-gear aircraft typically don't announce themselves in time for a rusty tailwheel pilot to correct, and the 180 does not forgive departure from proper technique the way a 172 does. Pilots who learned on tricycle gear and haven't flown a taildragger recently should log dual before considering 180 ownership.

Pick the 177 if…

  • Budget matters — from $91,273 vs $121,500, you save ~$30,227.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$150/hr vs $155/hr.
  • Newer design — production from 1968 vs 1953.
  • More inventory — 34 listings vs 26.

Pick the 180 if…

  • Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 120 kts.
  • Longer range — 700 nm vs 600 nm.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Cessna 177 and 177RG?
The standard 177 Cardinal is a fixed-gear aircraft, while the 177RG (Retractable Gear) added a retractable undercarriage and the 200 hp Lycoming IO-360 engine. The 177RG was produced from 1971 to 1978 and requires a complex aircraft endorsement. Its retractable gear adds approximately 15–20 kt of cruise speed over the fixed-gear 177B. Buyers evaluating Cardinals should distinguish between the fixed-gear 177 (simpler ownership, lower cost) and the 177RG (faster, more complex, engine and gear to maintain) as effectively two different missions.
Why does the Cardinal have no wing strut?
The 177 Cardinal uses a cantilever wing — a structurally self-supporting wing without the external lift strut found on the 172 and 182. Cessna designed the cantilever wing to give the Cardinal a cleaner aerodynamic profile and a more modern appearance. The tradeoff is a slightly heavier wing structure, but the aerodynamic benefit and the aesthetic improvement were the design goals. The cantilever wing also gives the 177 unobstructed downward visibility from the cabin — a practical benefit for navigation and sightseeing.
Does the Cessna 180 require any special endorsement beyond a private certificate?
Yes. The Cessna 180 Skywagon is a conventional-gear (tailwheel) aircraft, which requires a tailwheel endorsement in addition to a private pilot certificate. The tailwheel endorsement is a specific sign-off from a qualified instructor after demonstrated competency in three-point and wheel landings, crosswind operations, and ground loop recognition. It is not a rating — it does not appear on your certificate — but it is a legal requirement for tailwheel operation and practically important for safety. Many flight schools teach tailwheel in Citabrias or Super Cubs; an experienced Cessna 180 instructor is preferable.
Which is better, Cessna 177 or Cessna 180?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 177 cruises at 120 kts with 600 nm range. The 180 cruises at 140 kts with 700 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 177: from $139,500. Cessna 180: from $399,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 177 and Cessna 180?
177 engine: LYCOMING O-320 (150 hp). 180 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-K (230 hp). Cruise: 120 vs 140 kts. Range: 600 vs 700 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
177: about $150/hr variable cost. 180: about $155/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?
177: 4 seats / 900 lb useful load. 180: 4 seats / 1,400 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?
177: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000. 180: 1,700-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 updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data