Cessna 172 Aircraft (Skyhawk)

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the most-produced aircraft in history — over 44,000 built since 1956 and still in current production. A four-seat, high-wing piston single — powered by a Continental O-300 on early models (1956–1967) and Lycoming power from 1968 — the carbureted O-320 (145–160 hp) and, on the modern 172R/S, the fuel-injected IO-360 (160–180 hp) — the 172 is the world's default flight trainer and the most commonly owned first aircraft. The family spans more than seven decades and more than a dozen letter variants: from 1950s straight-tail models through the long-running N/P era (O-320, 160 hp, the used-market sweet-spot) to the current fuel-injected Skyhawk SP with Garmin G1000. The 172RG Cutlass adds retractable gear (approximately 140 kt, complex endorsement). Cruise ranges from approximately 120 kt on earlier models to approximately 124 kt on the 172S. Parts availability is exceptional — the support network is wider than any other single-engine type.

Cessna 172 aircraft for sale

505 used Cessna 172 aircraft for sale · 4-seat · Used median asking $129,950 · updated 2 hours ago

Cessna 172 Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 172 is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 114–140 kt (211–259 km/h), a range of 518–720 nm (959–1,333 km), and a useful load of 850–1,010 lbs (386–458 kg).

Performance
Cruise114–140 kt (211–259 km/h)
Max Speed120–145 kt (222–269 km/h)
Range518–720 nm (959–1,333 km)
Service Ceiling13,000–17,000 ft (3,962–5,182 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineLYCOMING
Horsepower145–195 HP
Fuel Capacity36.0–66.0 gal (136–250 L)
Fuel Burn8.0–11.0 GPH (30–42 L/h)
TBO1,400–2,000 hrs
ICAO TypeC172
Weights & Seats
Seats4
Max Gross Weight2,300–2,650 lbs (1,043–1,202 kg)
Useful Load850–1,010 lbs (386–458 kg)
Production1956–present

Cessna 172 for Sale

Browse all listings →

Cessna 172 asking prices range from $18,133 to $589,500, with a median of $129,950.

1999 Cessna 172S

1999 Cessna 172S for sale
$3,850/mo
For Lease
Total Time 8,500
Reg# N826KS US
Location Los Angeles, CA
Via Aircraft LLC

1959 Cessna 172

1959 Cessna 172 for sale
$10,000
Auction
Reg# N6363E US
Location Morrisville, VT
Via THCAuctions Contact
Multiple sources
Listed 1mo ago

1965 Cessna 172F

1965 Cessna 172F for sale
$27,900
Project
Total Time 4,200
Reg# N5471R US
Location Waynesville, NC
Via Rob Murdock
Listed 2mo ago

1964 Cessna 172

1964 Cessna 172 for sale
$41,698
For Sale
Total Time 9,495
Reg# VH-DIR Australia
Location New South Wales, Australia
Listed 18d ago

1965 Cessna 172

1965 Cessna 172 for sale
$42,393
For Sale
Total Time 5,098
Reg# VH-DOX Australia
Location Victoria, Australia
Listed 18d ago

1958 Cessna 172

1958 Cessna 172 for sale below typical asking range
$42,500
For Sale
Total Time 3,701
Reg# N3979F US
Location Atwood, IL
Via Jack Appleby
Listed 1mo ago

1960 Cessna 172

1960 Cessna 172 for sale below typical asking range
$45,744 ↓ -$3K
For Sale
Total Time 6,128
Reg# VH-BSA Australia
Location Capel, Western Australia, Australia
Via Norton, Mike
Multiple sources

1968 Cessna 172

1968 Cessna 172 for sale
$48,026 ↓ -$1K
For Sale
Reg# LY-BLP
Location Lithuania
Via Vitalii Saienko
Listed 2mo ago

1965 Cessna 172

1965 Cessna 172 for sale
$48,648
For Sale
Total Time 5,675
Reg# VH-FBL Australia
Location Queensland, Australia
Listed 18d ago

1957 Cessna 172

1957 Cessna 172 for sale within typical asking range
$52,000 ↓ -$17K
For Sale
Total Time 3,769
Reg# N5799A US
Location Eurika, NV
Via American Pride Aviation
Multiple sources

Cessna 172 Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
172G 1966–1966 4 114 kts (211 km/h) 575 nm (1,065 km) 850 lbs (386 kg) $55K – $199K Choose the 172G for the lowest-cost entry into the Skyhawk family, accepting the O-300's narrower support for classic character. 19
172K 1969–1971 4 115 kts (213 km/h) 580 nm (1,074 km) 850 lbs (386 kg) $62K – $204K Choose the 172K for an affordable early Lycoming Skyhawk with the clean O-320-E2D engine and the large 172 support network. 14
172L 1971–1972 4 122 kts (226 km/h) 640 nm (1,185 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $79K – $179K An early-1970s Skyhawk — an affordable, well-supported four-seat high-wing trainer and tourer. 11
172M 1973–1976 4 122 kts (226 km/h) 580 nm (1,074 km) 900 lbs (408 kg) $59K – $299K Choose the 172M for a clean O-320-E2D Skyhawk without the 172N's early-engine AD complications, at lower cost than the youngest 172P. 55
172N 1976–1980 4 122 kts (226 km/h) 640 nm (1,185 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $64K – $259K A late-1970s Skyhawk — a high-volume, low-cost four-seat trainer and tourer that is one of the most common used 172s. 65
R172 Hawk XP 1977–1983 4 129 kts (239 km/h) 569 nm (1,054 km) 1,010 lbs (458 kg) $92K – $309K Buy the R172 Hawk XP if you want a Skyhawk with real muscle — 195 hp for stronger climb, short-field and float performance than any standard 172. Consider a standard 172 for the lowest running cost and the deepest support network, or a 182 if you need four full seats with baggage. 39
172RG 1980–1985 4 140 kts (259 km/h) 720 nm (1,333 km) 950 lbs (431 kg) $55K – $221K Buy the 172RG Cutlass if you want an affordable complex single for the retractable and complex endorsement or for time-building. Consider a fixed-gear 172 if you want the lowest maintenance and insurance, or a 182 if straightforward cross-country hauling matters more than complex-aircraft experience. 32
172P 1981–1985 4 122 kts (226 km/h) 640 nm (1,185 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $102K – $324K A common early-1980s Skyhawk — a low-cost, well-supported four-seat high-wing trainer and tourer. 15
172R 1996–2007 4 120 kts (222 km/h) 520 nm (963 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $169K – $299K A modern fuel-injected Skyhawk — a four-seat high-wing trainer and tourer just below the 172S in the current-generation line. 19
172S 1998–now 4 124 kts (230 km/h) 518 nm (959 km) 878 lbs (398 kg) $3K – $589K The current-production, fuel-injected Skyhawk — the newest four-seat high-wing trainer to buy if you want a glass-panel, in-production 172. 41

Compare Cessna 172

See how the Cessna 172 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

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Cessna 172 Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 172 cost? Used 172 prices: $18K – $589K, average $149K (median $129K), across 406 priced of 505 active listings.

Cessna 172 Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 172 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (8.6 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$5,332/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$18,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$130/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,400 hrs)$30,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The 172's cost story is its ubiquity: parts, mechanics and STCs are everywhere, which keeps hourly and annual costs among the lowest in certified aviation. The real variables are engine time on the O-320 or O-360 and panel age — a run-out engine or a steam-gauge panel due for an ADS-B or avionics upgrade are the line items that move total cost, not the airframe itself.

Cessna 172 Value by Model Year

Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.

$590K $389K $188K
$230K
$215K
$188K
$200K
$292K
$310K
$325K
$315K
$590K
’97
’99
’01
’06
’19

Lowest around $188,475 (1999 models) · highest around $589,500 (2019). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 172

Buying a Cessna 172 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

Because the 172 spans seventy years and one of the largest fleets in general aviation, condition and modernisation vary enormously. The most important pre-purchase checks:

Engine: Identify the engine variant and time since overhaul — this is the largest single recurring cost. The carbureted Lycoming O-320 (150 hp on pre-1977 letter models, 160 hp on the 1977–1986 N/P) shares a 2,000-hour TBO; the fuel-injected IO-360-L2A on the 172S carries the same 2,000-hour TBO. Always confirm engine hours before any offer.

Training fleet history: Ex-flight-school aircraft have high cycles, hard landings, and deferred maintenance. Budget for seat rail AD compliance, thorough inspection, and potentially a prop or landing gear overhaul.

Avionics: A G5/GNX upgrade or factory G1000 Skyhawk SP is a meaningful capability difference and shifts the price point significantly versus stock steam-gauge examples.

Corrosion: High-wing airframes operated in coastal environments or on floats need careful spar and strut inspection.

Which 172? - 172N/172P (1977–1986, O-320, 160 hp): the used-market sweet-spot — plentiful, refined, widely supported, realistic entry price. Default recommendation for most buyers. - 172S Skyhawk SP (1998–present, IO-360 fuel-injected, 180 hp): the most capable modern variant; factory G1000 available from approximately 2004. Commands a significant premium over the N/P fleet. - 172RG Cutlass (~140 kt, retractable gear): step-up capability from the standard 172 but requires a complex endorsement and carries more maintenance. Smaller fleet, fewer parts sources. - Early straight-tail / fastback models (pre-1963): lowest entry price; collector and basic trainer appeal; less refined handling.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 172

About the Cessna 172 Skyhawk
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the world's most produced aircraft — over 44,000 built since 1956 and still in current production as the 172S. It is the defining four-seat piston single: reliable, docile, widely supported, and the standard primary training aircraft worldwide. The 172 spans multiple engine families — the Continental O-300 (1956–1967), the Lycoming O-320 from 1968 (172I onward), and the fuel-injected Lycoming IO-360 on the modern 172R/172S — across three production eras: original run (1956–1986), restart (1996+), and current production. Any 172 from any era delivers honest four-seat, cross-country piston performance.
What are the main Cessna 172 variants and which should I buy?
Early Continental era (172 through 172H, 1956–1967): 145-hp O-300, vintage maintenance, collector interest. Mid Lycoming era (172I through 172P, 1968–1986): 150–160 hp O-320, the majority of the used market — avoid the 172N with the O-320-H2AD engine (camshaft AD history); favour a 172N with the D2J engine or the 172P (D2J throughout). Restart era (172R, 1996+): 160-hp fuel-injected IO-360-L2A. Current production (172S, 1998+): 180-hp IO-360-L2A, G1000 eligible. Buy the newest, best-condition example your budget allows: 172S for maximum modernity; 172P for a solid Lycoming late-letter at lower cost; a 172N with confirmed D2J engine for the best mid-era value.
What are common Cessna 172 problems to look for?
Seat rail AD (mandatory across all variants — must be compliant before flight). O-320-H2AD camshaft and cylinder issues on some 172N-series aircraft (not all N-models; confirm engine variant history). Corrosion on coastal- or humid-region aircraft. Aging glass: vacuum gyro failure and worn avionics in pre-G1000 aircraft. Spar carry-through on older examples. A pre-buy inspection by a 172-experienced shop is essential on any aircraft 20+ years old.
How much does a Cessna 172 cost?
See the live price range and median above — listings span from early Continental-era aircraft in the five figures to new 172S aircraft. Key cost drivers: year, total time on engine and airframe, avionics package, and logbook completeness.
How fast is the 172 and how far does it fly?
Depending on variant: Continental O-300 era ~100–105 kt, Lycoming O-320 mid-era ~115 kt, and the 172S ~124 kt. Range is approximately 640–800 nm depending on fuel capacity and year. The 172 is a moderate-speed, moderate-range touring aircraft — optimised for reliability and ease over outright performance.
172 vs 182 — which should I buy?
The 172 is the simpler, less expensive, more forgiving aircraft — the right choice for training, solo touring, and buyers who prefer minimum ownership complexity. The 182 adds 230 hp, a constant-speed prop, and approximately 450 lb more useful load at the cost of greater operating expense and a high-performance endorsement. If you routinely fly four adults with fuel and bags, the 182 earns its complexity; if you don't, the 172 is the cleaner choice.
Is the Cessna 172 still in production?
Yes — Textron Aviation currently produces the 172S with 180 hp and G1000 avionics. The 172 is the only single-engine Cessna piston to have been in continuous or near-continuous production since 1956.

Cessna 172 Inventory by Country

United States373
Canada29
Germany17
United Kingdom15
Australia14
Poland6

Cessna 172 by Price

Under $100k132
Under $200k362
Under $300k406
Under $500k423

Cessna 172 by Decade

1950s24
1960s138
1970s207
1980s57
1990s18
2000s37
2010s15
2020s4

Recently Sold Cessna 172

172M$51,062
1974 172M$144,950
1964 172$124,900
1976 172M$104,000
1964 172$124,900
1977 R172 Hawk XP$239,000

Cessna 172 Safety Record

Across all 172 variants, 6810 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1974–2026. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

6810

Total Events

4223

Incidents

542

Serious

960

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Feb 08, 2026 Mangalur, Minor —
Feb 05, 2026 Nampa, ID Incident —
Feb 01, 2026 Hollywood, FL Incident —
Jan 29, 2026 New Castle, DE Incident —
Jan 28, 2026 Lafayette, IN Incident —

NTSB records 1974–2026. Includes all Cessna 172 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed 2 hours ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data