Cessna 172P Aircraft 1980s
1980s piston singles are pre-FADEC, pre-glass-cockpit airframes — Cessna 172/182, Piper PA-28 series, Bonanza V35/F33, Mooney M20J 201 from this period. Most have undergone at least one engine overhaul and avionics refresh (ADS-B Out retrofit, GPS upgrade). Pre-buy focus: airframe corrosion, AD compliance (especially recent wing-spar ADs on 210/PA-28), Lycoming or Continental engine condition, panel revision currency.
✈ The 172P (1981–1986) returned to the reliable Lycoming O-320-D2J, correcting the camshaft-spalling issues of the 172N's H2AD engine, and was the last of the classic O-320 Skyhawks before Cessna halted piston production in 1986. For buyers it is the youngest and generally most sorted of the pre-1996 172s.
The Cessna 172P is the early-1980s Skyhawk (1977-1985) — a 160-hp Lycoming O-320 with a higher gross weight and 40-gallon fuel option that made it a favorite trainer and club aircraft. Performance mirrors other late 172s (~120-kt cruise, four seats, forgiving handling); its edge over a 172L or 172M is extra useful load and range. A practical, well-supported choice where the decision is condition and total time, not capability.
12 used Cessna 172P aircraft for sale 1980s · 4-seat · Reference price ~$145,000 ($95,000–$240,000) · updated 16 hours ago
Cessna 172P Specifications
Model specThe Cessna 172P 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).
Cessna 172P for Sale
Browse all listings →Cessna 172P asking prices range from $102,900 to $324,900, with a median of $164,900 (market reference $145,000).
Cessna 172P Variants
| Variant | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Price range | Best for | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 | 1956–now | 4 | 118 kts (219 km/h) | 518 nm (959 km) | 878 lbs (398 kg) | $18K – $395K | Choose the fixed-gear 172 for the most affordable, best-supported and easiest-to-insure four-seat single — the standard trainer and touring aircraft worldwide. Choose the 172RG Cutlass for retractable-gear speed and complex-aircraft time-building. Choose the R172 Hawk XP for extra power and useful load over the standard 172. | 15 |
| 172G | 1966–1966 | 4 | 114 kts (211 km/h) | 575 nm (1,065 km) | 850 lbs (386 kg) | — | Choose the 172G for the lowest-cost entry into the Skyhawk family, accepting the O-300's narrower support for classic character. | 3 |
| 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) | — | 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. | 3 |
| 172N | 1976–1980 | 4 | 122 kts (226 km/h) | 640 nm (1,185 km) | 878 lbs (398 kg) | — | A late-1970s Skyhawk — a high-volume, low-cost four-seat trainer and tourer that is one of the most common used 172s. | 1 |
| R172 Hawk XP | 1977–1983 | 4 | 129 kts (239 km/h) | 569 nm (1,054 km) | 1,010 lbs (458 kg) | $93K – $255K | 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. | 26 |
| 172RG | 1980–1985 | 4 | 140 kts (259 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 950 lbs (431 kg) | $55K – $222K | 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. | 28 |
| 172R | 1996–2007 | 4 | 120 kts (222 km/h) | 520 nm (963 km) | 878 lbs (398 kg) | $169K – $240K | A modern fuel-injected Skyhawk — a four-seat high-wing trainer and tourer just below the 172S in the current-generation line. | 10 |
| 172S | 1998–now | 4 | 124 kts (230 km/h) | 518 nm (959 km) | 878 lbs (398 kg) | $207K – $539K | The current-production, fuel-injected Skyhawk — the newest four-seat high-wing trainer to buy if you want a glass-panel, in-production 172. | 25 |
Compare Cessna 172P
Detailed comparisons for the Cessna 172P are being prepared.
Browse all Cessna models →Cessna 172P Price & Cost
How much does a Cessna 172P cost? Used 172P prices: $102K – $324K, average $174K (median $164K); market reference $145K, across 9 priced of 12 active listings.
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.
The 172P's O-320-D2J is the most trouble-free engine in the classic 172 line - no AD complications like the 172N's H2AD, no turbocharger, and the lowest overhaul cost in the 172 family. Around 8.5 gph keeps fuel costs minimal, and annual inspection is consistent with the broader 172 fleet. The main discretionary spend is avionics: buyers wanting a modern GTN and EFIS typically budget for an upgrade. Otherwise the 172P is the simplest Skyhawk ownership experience available.
Cessna 172P 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.
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 a Used Cessna 172P
Buying a Cessna 172P comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 172P
About the Cessna 172P
What changed between the 172N and 172P?
What should I inspect on a used Cessna 172P?
172P vs 172S — which should I buy?
Is the 172P a good first airplane?
Cessna 172P Inventory by Country
| United States | 11 |
| Canada | 2 |
| United Kingdom | 1 |
Cessna 172P Inventory by State
| California | 54 |
| Florida | 34 |
| Texas | 20 |
| South Carolina | 18 |
| North Carolina | 14 |
| Kentucky | 12 |
| Colorado | 10 |
| New York | 10 |
| Georgia | 10 |
| Washington | 10 |
| Arizona | 9 |
| Idaho | 8 |
Cessna 172P by Price
| Under $100k | 131 |
| Under $200k | 360 |
| Under $300k | 403 |
| Under $500k | 420 |
Recently Sold Cessna 172P
| 1982 172P | $89,000 |
Other Cessna Aircraft
| Cessna Citation III / VII | 26 |
| Cessna Citation II | 21 |
| Cessna Citation I | 12 |
| Cessna Caravan | 8 |
Cessna 172P Safety Record
Across all 172P variants, 696 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2026. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
696
Total Events
439
Incidents
55
Serious
96
Fatal
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 09, 2026 | Flemington, GA | Incident | — |
| Dec 20, 2025 | Browns Corner, VA | Incident | — |
| Aug 01, 2025 | Gainesville, TX | Incident | — |
| Feb 22, 2025 | Mayo, MD | Minor | — |
| Feb 03, 2025 | Clarksville, TN | Incident | The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, which allowed the partially secured engine cowl… |
NTSB records 1982–2026. Includes all Cessna 172P variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.