Cessna 172 vs Cessna TTx

Ask any FBO what the two most-discussed Cessna piston singles are, and the Skyhawk and TTx land at opposite ends of the answer. The 172 Skyhawk owns the training ramp — more logged hours on more runways than any other aircraft in history. The TTx (born as the Columbia 400, later the Corvalis TT) is the outlier Cessna grafted onto the lineup: a low-wing, carbon-composite, turbocharged cross-country machine capable of 235 kt at FL200. The cross-shop arises when a pilot who started in the 172 asks "what's the absolute fastest piston Cessna?" and finds an airplane that shares the brand but almost nothing else.

Live Market Snapshot

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

Cessna 172
For sale now
421
Median asking
$134,231
Range
$61,563–$324,965
Model years available
1956–2026
Cessna TTx
For sale now
20
Median asking
$599,000
Range
$364,600–$684,540
Model years available
2013–2017

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 172 — 3 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 Continental 1956–1967 O-300 2300 118 520 137
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 128
172 O-320 160hp 1977–1986 O-320-H2AD/D2J 2400 122 585 103

Cessna TTx — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale

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 172Cessna TTx
All events6810—
Serious542—
Fatal960—
Fatalities1802—
% Fatal14%—
View full Cessna 172 NTSB record →View full Cessna TTx NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 172 Cessna TTx
Cessna 172
View 164 listings →
Median $134,231
 Cessna TTx
View 24 listings →
Median $599,000
Price Range $61,563 – $324,965 $364,600 – $684,540
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 4
Horsepower 145–160 HP 310 HP
Cruise Speed 118–122 kts (226 km/h) 235 kts (435 km/h)
Range 520–585 nm (1,083 km) 1,250 nm (2,315 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Max Gross Weight 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg)
Useful Load 878 lbs (398 kg) 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
Fuel Capacity 56.0 gal (212 L) 92.0 gal (348 L)
Fuel Burn 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) 17.0 GPH (64 L/h)
TBO 1,400 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $30,000 $36,000
Annual Fixed $18,000 $25,000
Hourly Variable $130 $195
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 172

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

Cessna TTx

Fuel$94/hr
Variable$195/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $64,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Cessna TTx?

Bottom line: Choose the Skyhawk if you're building hours, staying VFR, or operating at airports where a composite retractable adds complexity you don't need. Acquisition cost, maintenance ecosystem, and parts availability all favor the 172 — and it's forgiving of student mistakes in ways the TTx is not designed to be. Choose the TTx if you're an IFR-current, high-performance-endorsed pilot who needs 1,000 nm legs at altitude with turbocharged reserve. The speed gap is real: 120 kt vs 235 kt isn't a nuance, it's a different aircraft category sharing a badge. On safety: the TTx has a Garmin G2000 avionics suite with ESP, but no CAPS parachute — don't conflate "Cessna-branded" with "Cirrus-level safety architecture." The Skyhawk's fixed gear removes the gear-up landing risk that's ended many a retractable career.

Pick the 172 if…

  • Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $364,600, you save ~$303,037.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $195/hr.
  • More inventory — 164 listings vs 24.

Pick the TTx if…

  • Faster cruise — 235 kts vs 118 kts.
  • Longer range — 1250 nm vs 518 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 2013 vs 1956.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cessna TTx the same airplane as the Cirrus SR22?
No, though they're often mentioned together as high-performance piston composites. The TTx descends from the Columbia 400 built by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing; Cessna acquired the type certificate in 2007 and rebranded it. The SR22 is a Cirrus design with a fundamentally different airframe and, critically, the CAPS whole-aircraft parachute system — something the TTx doesn't have. Both are fast (SR22T ~210 kt, TTx ~235 kt) and carbon-composite, but they're distinct designs from separate manufacturers with different safety profiles.
Can a private pilot fly the Cessna TTx?
Yes, with a high-performance endorsement (the TTx has a 310-hp engine). The TTx is a fixed-gear aircraft with a constant-speed propeller, certified in the normal category and flown under standard private/instrument rules. That said, it's a significantly different challenge than the 172 — higher approach speeds and turbocharger management at altitude introduce risks that require currency and proficiency, not just an endorsement on paper.
Which is cheaper to own per year, the Skyhawk or the TTx?
The Skyhawk wins on operating cost by a wide margin. Avgas burn is roughly 8–9 gph for the 172 versus 18–20 gph for the TTx at cruise power. Engine TBO is similar at around 2,000 hours, but the TTx's turbocharged Continental TSIO-550-C overhaul costs significantly more. Annual inspection costs also skew higher for the TTx due to the pressurized induction system and composite-airframe specialist requirements. For a light-flying private pilot, the all-in ownership cost difference is substantial.
Which is better, Cessna 172 or Cessna TTx?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range. The TTx cruises at 235 kts with 1,250 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $119,900. Cessna TTx: from $664,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Cessna TTx?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp). TTx engine: CONTINENTAL TSIO-550-C (310 hp). Cruise: 118 vs 235 kts. Range: 518 vs 1250 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172: about $130/hr variable cost. TTx: about $195/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?
172: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load. TTx: 4 seats / 1,000 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?
172: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000. TTx: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$36,000. 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