Summary
- The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the most-produced civilian aircraft in the world.
- The Piper PA-28 is the C172’s main competitor.
- Although the SR22 has sold considerably fewer aircraft than the others on the list, it is currently the best-selling single-engine piston aircraft.
The single-engine aircraft is the most popular platform for aircraft worldwide. It’s simple, efficient, easy to maintain, and gets the job done. These aircraft are used by millions of pilots, from sports pilots to commercial pilots.
While plenty of military aircraft have this configuration, we’ll focus on the civilian aircraft often used in general aviation (GA). The aircraft in this list range from high-performance composite aircraft like the Cirrus SR22 to the humble but tried-and-tested Cessna 152.
1
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
The most popular aircraft in the world
The Cessna 172 is a single-engine, high-wing, four-seater aircraft with fixed tricycle gear. It was an overnight success, selling more than 1,400 aircraft in only its first year of production. Since then, it has become the most popular aircraft on the planet, with over 44,000 units produced since it was introduced more than 68 years ago. The number becomes more impressive when considering that the Cessna went through a decade-long production hiatus between 1986 and 1996.
Photo: Textron Aviation
But why is the aircraft so popular? It isn’t blisteringly fast or luxurious, nor does it have all the bells and whistles of an aircraft like the Cirrus SR22. It’s primarily because of its approachability. It’s safe, reliable, and economical. It’s the Toyota Camry of the aircraft industry.
It’s also the perfect training aircraft. The high-wing design allows for brilliant visibility for maneuvers, the controls are predictable, and the aircraft is inherently stable. In addition, it can take quite a beating. Countless pilots, myself included, started their flight training in a 172.
Millions of pilots have flown the 172 and give it glowing reviews. It has shortcomings compared to other aircraft, but it’s one of the most well-rounded aircraft in GA, and the sales prove it.
According to Cessna, the specifications of the latest 172 are as follows:
| Cessna 172S Specifications | |
| Length | 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m) |
| Wingspan | 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m) |
| Height | 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) |
| Seating capacity | 4 |
| Empty Weight | 1,680 lb (762 kg) |
| Gross Weight | 2,558 lb (1,160 kg) |
| Engine | Lycoming IO-360-L2A |
| Horsepower | 180 hp (132.39 kW) |
| Fuel Capacity | 53 US gal (201 L) |
| Range | 640 NM (1,185 km) |
| Maximum Speed | 163 kts (302 km/h) |
| Avionics | Garmin G1000Nxi |
2
Piper PA-28
The 172’s main rival
The PA-28 comes in many forms and names, such as the Warrior, Archer, and Arrow. However, they are all built on the same platform. All the models are single-engine, low-wing aircraft. However, the Warriors and Archers have fixed tricycle landing gear, and the Arrows have retractable landing gear. Piper has created many variants of the PA-28, and as a result, many have different capabilities.
Photo: Igor Grochev | Shutterstock
Piper began producing the PA-28 in 1961 and has remained in production for an impressive 63 years. During this time, the manufacturer has sold over 32,700 units, making it the second most-produced civilian aircraft in the world. It is and has been, one of the main competitors of the 172.
The PA-28 is also popular for the same reasons as the 172. It’s a brilliant training aircraft and a workhorse for GA operations. Many flight schools and flying clubs have PA-28s in their fleets because they are reliable and inexpensive to operate and maintain.
According to Piper, the specifications of the latest PA-28 are as follows:
| Piper PA-28 Archer LX Specifications | |
| Length | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
| Wingspan | 35 ft 6 in (10.8 m) |
| Height | 7 ft 3 in (2.2 m) |
| Seating capacity | 4 |
| Empty Weight | 1,688 lb (766 kg) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 2,550 lb (1,157 kg) |
| Engine | Lycoming IO-360-B4A |
| Fuel Capacity | 48 US gal (182 L) |
| Range | 522 NM (967 km) |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 123 kts (237 km/h) |
| Horsepower | 180 hp (132.39 kW) |
| Avionics | Garmin G1000Nxi |
Related
Why The Piper Archer Is A Favorite Among Single-Engine Aircraft Enthusiasts
A perfect little aircraft for training or leisure.
3
Cessna 150/152
The smaller cousin of the 172
The Cessna 150 is a single-engine, high-wing, two-seater aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear. It’s a smaller carbon copy of the 172 with a less powerful engine. The 150 and 152 are synonymous and are often talked about in the same breath. The reason is that the 152 is a minor improvement over the 150, with a higher gross weight, a more powerful engine, and reduced noise for more comfort.
Photo: EML | Shutterstock
The 150 was produced from 1958 to 1977, after which it was succeeded by the 152, which was produced until 1985. The 150 sold 23,839 units, ranking fifth among the most-produced civilian aircraft. The 152 was considerably less popular, selling only 7,584 units during its eight-year production run. The models sold 31,423 combined units, making it the third most popular civilian aircraft platform.
The cheaper 152 is extremely popular for the same reasons as its larger cousin: it is a brilliant training aircraft and an entry-level utility aircraft for private pilots. It is still in use today, especially in developing countries.
According to the C152 Pilot’s Operating Handbook, the specifications are as follows:
| Cessna 152 Specifications | |
| Length | 24 ft 1 in (7.34 m) |
| Wingspan | 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m) |
| Height | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Seating capacity | 2 |
| Empty Weight | 1,081 lb (490 kg) |
| Gross Weight | 1,670 lb (757 kg) |
| Engine | Lycoming O-235-L2C |
| Range | 415 NM (768 km) |
| Maximum Speed | 109 kts (203 km/h) |
| Horsepower | 110 hp (82 kW) |
| Avionics | Conventional Six-Pack |
4
Cessna 182 Skylane
The biggest Cessna on the list
The Cessna 182 Skylane is next up. It is a single-engine, high-wing, four-seater aircraft with several retractable and fixed-gear variants. It is the successor to the 180 Skywagon and features a tricycle gear configuration compared to the Skywagon’s tailwheel configuration.
Photo: Textron
It was introduced in 1956 and built to complement the Cessna 172. It is the second-most-popular Cessna aircraft in production today and the fourth-most-produced GA single-engine aircraft, with over 23,200 units sold over its 52-year production run. Cessna stopped producing the aircraft from 1985 to 1996 and 2012 to 2015. Since then, it has remained a staple in their line-up.
The aircraft is larger and more capable than the 172, featuring a higher gross weight, payload capacity, a more powerful engine, and higher performance. The aircraft’s interior is more luxurious than the 172s and has a larger rear window for better visibility.
Unlike the other Cessna models on the list, the Skylane is rare in training environments because it is more expensive to purchase, operate, and maintain than its smaller cousins. Private operators mostly purchase it.
According to Cessna, the specifications of the 182 Skylane are as follows:
| Cessna 182 Skylane Specifications | |
| Length | 29 ft 0 in (8.84 m) |
| Wingspan | 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m) |
| Height | 9 ft 4 in (2.8 m |
| Seating capacity | 4 |
| Empty Weight | 2,000 lb (907 kg) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 3,100 lb (1,406 kg) |
| Engine | Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 |
| Fuel Capacity | 87 US gal (329 L) |
| Range | 522 NM (967 km) |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 145 kts (269 km/h) |
| Horsepower | 230 hp (169.16 kW) |
| Avionics | Garmin G1000Nxi |
Related
What Are The Differences Between The Cessna 172 And 182?
The Cessna 182 is a bigger plane with superior performance capabilities.
5
Cirrus SR22
High-performance for the 21st century
The Cirrus SR22 is out of place on this list. It hasn’t sold as many units as the other aircraft and can be replaced by several aircraft with much higher production numbers. But why have we decided to include it here? It has been the world’s best-selling aircraft in its category for over a decade.
Photo: Nadezda Murmakova | Shutterstock
The SR22 is known for luxury, high performance, and unparalleled safety. The aircraft is made from an all-composite construction, one of the first to do so in the GA scene, and was the first to have a full glass cockpit. It is also one of the first to be equipped with the Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System (CAPS), which will safely lower the aircraft to the ground during an emergency.
Cirrus introduced the aircraft in 2001 and has sold more than 7,700 units since. While the number might seem unimpressive, considering that it has been in production for 23 years, we must remember that we are in a time when aircraft are significantly more expensive, and sales have declined. However, the SR22 persists and continues to outsell the competition, year after year, with no signs of slowing down.
According to Cirrus, the specifications of the SR22 G7 are as follows:
| Cirrus SR22 G7 Specifications | |
| Length | 26 ft (7.92 m) |
| Wingspan | 38 ft 4 in (11.68 m |
| Height | 8 ft 11 in (2.7 m) |
| Seating capacity | 4 |
| Empty Weight | 2,272 lbs (1,030 kg) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Engine | Continental IO-550 |
| Fuel Capacity | 92 US gal (418 L) |
| Range | 1,169 NM (2,165 km) |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 183 KTAS (339 km/h) |
| Horsepower | 310 hp (230 kW) |
| Avionics | Garmin G1000Nxi |
Related
A Closer Look At The Cirrus SR22 Single-Engine Aircraft
Over 7,500 SR22s have been built since its introduction.