Over the past century, thousands of commercial, military, and private aircraft have been built and delivered to customers worldwide. Some of these have revolutionized air travel and have played a pivotal role in shaping the global aviation industry as we know it today. With many aircraft types built throughout the years, nothing has come close to the Cessna 172. Let’s look at why the Cessna 172 is the best-selling aircraft in the world.
Background
Unless you are an aviation geek or pilot, the world’s most famous aircraft might surprise you. Although the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 jets are the most produced passenger airliners, the small four-seater Cessna 172 is the most-built civil aircraft ever.
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk first flew in 1955, almost 63 years ago. Today, over 45,000 examples have been built, sold, and shipped for clients globally. The little aircraft is still in production today and remains a staple of general aviation while occasionally being used for commercial operations.
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Following certification and undergoing test flights in June 1955, Cessna quickly started building the 172s. The first production model was delivered in 1956 for $8,995 and instantly became a hit. Over the next five years, Cessna built 4,195 172s as demand skyrocketed, with over 1400 produced in 1956 alone. Since its inception, the 172 has undergone numerous adjustments and has released 18 variants of the 172 model.
Designed for new pilots
The 172’s immense success is due to its flexible use and low cost. Its primary use is as a training plane; generations of pilots have learned to fly in them over the years. It has become the aircraft of choice for countless pilots as they first learn flying ropes. Among the users of the 172 were the United States Air Force and Army, which used the 172 to train recruits beginning in 1964. While it was phased out of use by the US Military in the 2000s, it still flies in the military of almost 25 nations, such as Chile, Ireland, Singapore, Austria, and Bolivia. Beyond the use for training and the army, the Cessna 172 is used by the United States Border Patrol for aerial surveillance.
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The design of the aircraft makes it particularly appealing for pilots. The high wings on the single-engine plane give pilots better visibility and make it easier to learn and get their bearings on the world around them. Cessna’s design of the 172, coupled with harmonious controls, makes it simple to fly and avoid mistakes, which is great news for pilots-in-training. The better visibility and the low landing sleep due to its flaps also make it easier to land. The 172 earned the nickname “Land-o-matic.” Furthermore, the large cabin doors make it easy for trainees and instructors to get in and out of the aircraft.
Moreover, it is a study aircraft that features current avionics. Compared to other training aircraft, the 172 has a good payload capacity and can climb nicely. The low operational cost and dispatch reliability further add to its resume. Regarding safety, the 172 fatal accident rate is almost three times lower than the average for general aviation aircraft in the United States.
Bumps in the road
For all the success that the 172 has had, it has still faced some challenges. In 1986, legal liability rulings and stricter laws in the United States hampered the manufacturing of all light aircraft and pushed Cessna’s insurance costs through the roof. In response, they shut down production of the 172 in 1986.
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Then, in 1994, a resumption of manufacturing single-engine aircraft appeared in the form of the General Aviation Revitalization Act. It reduced the liability faced by aircraft manufacturers. That being said, it can be debated how much this affected manufacturers. Nevertheless, Cessna resumed production on the 172, 182, and 206 aircraft.
In addition to the record-breaking production count, it holds the record for the longest continuous flight without landing for a single-engine aircraft. The record lasted 64 days, 22 hours, and 19 minutes, and it’s a testament to the Cessna 172’s endurance and reliability.
Have you flown on the Cessna 172 before? Let us know in the comments below.