Cessna 172RG 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 172RG Cutlass adds hydraulically-actuated retractable gear and a 180 hp Lycoming O-360, raising cruise to roughly 140 kt — about 15–20 kt faster than the fixed-gear 172. The trade-off is a more complex airframe: retractable gear and a constant-speed prop mean higher insurance and extra inspection items, so confirm gear-system and hydraulic condition at pre-buy.
The Cessna 172RG Cutlass is the retractable-gear, constant-speed-prop development of the 172 — built largely as an affordable complex trainer for pilots earning the retractable and complex endorsement. A 180-hp Lycoming O-360 and folding gear lift it to roughly 140-kt cruise and a ~16,800-ft ceiling, both above the fixed-gear 172, in exchange for gear-system maintenance and complex-aircraft insurance. The buy case is a low-cost complex single for time-building or training; for straightforward cross-country hauling, a fixed-gear 182 is usually the simpler choice.
29 used Cessna 172RG aircraft for sale 1980s · 4-seat · Used median asking $150,000 · New from $149,900 · updated 8 hours ago
Cessna 172RG Specifications
Model specThe Cessna 172RG 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 172RG for Sale
Browse all listings →Cessna 172RG asking prices range from $55,000 to $220,712, with a median of $150,000 (market reference $145,000).
Cessna 172RG 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) | $17K – $525K | 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. | 16 |
| 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. | 2 |
| 172K | 1969–1971 | 4 | 115 kts (213 km/h) | 580 nm (1,074 km) | 850 lbs (386 kg) | $49K – $210K | Choose the 172K for an affordable early Lycoming Skyhawk with the clean O-320-E2D engine and the large 172 support network. | 16 |
| 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. | 12 |
| 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. | 2 |
| 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) | $92K – $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. | 24 |
| 172P | 1981–1985 | 4 | 122 kts (226 km/h) | 640 nm (1,185 km) | 878 lbs (398 kg) | $102K – $259K | A common early-1980s Skyhawk — a low-cost, well-supported four-seat high-wing trainer and tourer. | 17 |
| 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. | 27 |
Compare Cessna 172RG
Detailed comparisons for the Cessna 172RG are being prepared.
Browse all Cessna models →Cessna 172RG Price & Cost
How much does a Cessna 172RG cost? Used 172RG prices: $55K – $220K, average $150K (median $150K); market reference $145K, across 28 priced of 29 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 172RG adds retractable-gear maintenance and complex-aircraft insurance to standard 172 costs — the gear system and its hydraulics are the line to watch. The Lycoming O-360 engine time is the other driver; the payoff is roughly 140-kt cruise, the cost is gear upkeep plus the thinner Cutlass parts network.
Cessna 172RG 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 $594,250 (2020). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.
Buying a Used Cessna 172RG
Buying a Cessna 172RG 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 172RG
What is the Cessna 172RG Cutlass?
What is the difference between the 172 and 172RG Cutlass?
How much does a Cessna 172RG Cutlass cost?
What engine does the Cessna 172RG use?
Is the Cessna 172RG a complex aircraft?
How many seats does a Cessna 172RG have?
How fast is the Cessna 172RG Cutlass?
Is the Cessna 172RG still in production?
Cessna 172RG Inventory by Country
| United States | 26 |
| Germany | 3 |
| Canada | 1 |
| Poland | 1 |
Cessna 172RG Inventory by State
| California | 51 |
| Florida | 37 |
| Texas | 22 |
| South Carolina | 19 |
| North Carolina | 15 |
| Colorado | 13 |
| Georgia | 11 |
| Washington | 11 |
| Virginia | 10 |
| New York | 10 |
| Kentucky | 9 |
| Ohio | 8 |
Cessna 172RG by Price
| Under $100k | 129 |
| Under $200k | 380 |
| Under $300k | 426 |
| Under $500k | 446 |
Recently Sold Cessna 172RG
| 1979 172RG | $99,500 |
Other Cessna Aircraft
| Cessna Citation III / VII | 25 |
| Cessna Citation II | 16 |
| Cessna Citation I | 12 |
| Cessna Caravan | 8 |
Cessna 172RG Safety Record
Across all 172RG variants, 241 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.
241
Total Events
157
Incidents
16
Serious
44
Fatal
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 01, 2026 | Hollywood, FL | Incident | — |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Louisburg, NC | Incident | — |
| Oct 06, 2024 | Ejido de Treinta y Tres, | Incident | — |
| May 22, 2024 | Chandeleur Island, LA | Incident | A fatigue failure of the engine oil pressure line, which resulted in the loss of engine oil during the flight and subseq… |
| Apr 06, 2022 | Waterville, ME | Incident | The student pilot’s incorrect landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing and nose landing gear collapse. |
NTSB records 1982–2026. Includes all Cessna 172RG variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.