Summary

  • The Cessna 210 Centurion with 9,240 units built is at the bottom of the bestselling list.
  • The Cessna 182 Skylane, with over 23,237 units produced, ranks number three.
  • The Cessna 150, a pilot favorite, with nearly 24,000 units produced, is the runner-up.

Cessna, a Textron Aviation company, has been a pioneer in the design and development of private aircraft for decades. The company has produced numerous types of single-engine aircraft, many of which are still produced today. This article explores the bestselling Cessna aircraft of all time based on the number of units built.

4

Cessna 210 Centurion

Number built: 9,240

  • Capacity: Six (including the pilot)
  • Length: 28 ft 2 in (8.59 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 9 in (11.20 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
  • Gross weight: 4,000 lb (1,814 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 87 US gal (72 imp gal; 330 L) (usable capacity)
  • Maximum speed: 204 kn (235 mph, 378 km/h) at 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
  • Cruise speed: 193 kn (222 mph, 357 km/h) at 20,000 ft (6,100 m) (80% power)
  • Range: 900 nmi (1,000 mi, 1,700 km) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m) (econ cruise)
  • Service ceiling: 27,000 ft (8,200 m)

At the bottom of our list of bestselling Cessna aircraft of all time, is the 210 Centurion, with 9,240 units built and delivered. The number is nearly doubled to over 18,000 when the 205, 206, and 207 variants are considered. The 210 Centurion performed its first flight in January 1957 and remained in production for nearly 30 years, until 1986. The aircraft is powered by a single Continental Motors TSIO-520 air-cooled, turbocharged piston engine, generating 310 horsepower (230 kW) takeoff power.

Cessna_P210N_Pressurized_Centurion_Private,_LUX_Luxembourg_(Findel),_Luxembourg_PP1300976986

Multiple variants of the 210 were released over the years, mainly including a large cabin size for six passengers, pressurized cabin, strutless modified wing, and different landing gear designs. The 210 is widely used by flight training academies, individual operators, air-taxi services, commercial charters, and private companies. A handful of examples are also operated by global military forces.

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3

Cessna 182 Skylane

Number built: 23,237+

  • Capacity: Four (including the pilot)
  • Length: 29 ft 0 in (8.84 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,100 lb (1,406 kg)
  • Maximum speed: 150 kn (170 mph, 280 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 145 kn (167 mph, 269 km/h)
  • Range: 930 nmi (1,070 mi, 1,720 km)
  • Service ceiling: 18,100 ft (5,500 m)

Number three on our list is the Cessna 182 Skylane, a light utility aircraft with more than 23,237 units built and delivered. Developed from the Cessna 180, the 182 Skylane performed its first flight in September 1955. The aircraft is powered by a single Lycoming IO-540 air-cooled piston engine, generating approximately 230 horsepower (170 kW) takeoff power.

A Cessna 180 Skywagon parked at an airport.

Photo: Richard Thornton | Shutterstock

The program had the first lengthy production run between 1956 and 1985, before it was discontinued. The production resumed in 1996 and has continued since, except for a brief hood between 2012 and 2015. It has the same planform wing as the Cessna 172, with similarities in wing control surfaces, including ailerons and flaps.

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Some models of the 182 were offered with retractable gears, which provide approximately 15% improvement in climb and cruise speeds, compared to its fixed landing gear counterparts. Apart from civilian use, the aircraft is used by numerous global governments and military forces.

2

Cessna 150

Number built: 23,839

  • Capacity: Two (including the pilot)
  • Length: 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m)
  • Wingspan: 33 ft 2 in (10.11 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,600 lb (726 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 22.5 US gal (18.7 imp gal; 85 L) usable internal fuel
  • Maximum speed: 109 kn (125 mph, 202 km/h) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 82 kn (94 mph, 152 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m) (econ cruise)
  • Range: 420 nmi (480 mi, 780 km) (econ cruise, standard fuel)
  • Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)

The runner-up on our list is Cessna 150, a student pilots’ favorite aircraft, with nearly 24,000 units produced and delivered. With the first flight commencing in September 1957, the aircraft remained in production for 19 years, from 1958 to 1977. The two-person aircraft is powered by a single Continental O-200-A air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine, generating approximately 100 horsepower (75 kW) takeoff power.

A Cessna 150 training aircraft flying at sunset.

Photo: Gregory Rooken-Smith | Shutterstock

Apart from training aircraft, the Cessna 150 is equally popular among commuter and aerobatic missions. Nearly 1,000 units were designed as Aerobats. The aircraft received a major upgrade in 1966 when it received a swept tail fin, increased baggage area, and electrically operated flap. The 1966 model remains the most successful, with over 3,000 units sold.

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1

Cessna 172 Skyhawk

Number built: 44,000+

  • Capacity: Four (including the pilot)
  • Length: 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
  • Gross weight: 2,450 lb (1,111 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 56 US gallons (212 litres)
  • Cruise speed: 122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h)
  • Range: 696 nmi (801 mi, 1,289 km)
  • Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,100 m)

Unsurprisingly, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk tops our list of bestselling Cessna aircraft of all time, with over 44,000 examples produced and delivered. Next year will mark 70 years since the type’s first flight in 1955. The aircraft is powered by a single Lycoming IO-360 four-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, generating approximately 160 horsepower (120 kW) takeoff power.

A Cessna 172

Photo: Irina Leoni | Shutterstock

It is one of the most stable and easy-to-use aircraft and is used by hundreds of flight training academies worldwide. Most student pilots begin their initial flight training (for a private pilot license) on a Cessna 172. The high-wing fixed landing gear design remains popular for several private flight applications. The Cessna 172 remains in production.

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What are your thoughts on the best-selling Cessna airplanes? Have you operated any of these aircraft? Share your experience in the comments section.

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