Regan Brown
The Cessna 172 is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft that has played a significant role in aviation history. It was first flown in 1955 and has remained popular for nearly seven decades. The aircraft has two fuel tanks, one mounted in each wing, with a total fuel capacity of 56 gallons (though only 53 gallons is usable). The Cessna 172's endurance and popularity have made it the most successful aircraft in history, with over 44,000 built to date.
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What You'll Learn
- The Cessna 172's two fuel tanks hold 28 gallons each, for a total capacity of 56 gallons
- Only 53 gallons of fuel are usable, to prevent fuel contamination
- The Cessna 172 is known for its endurance and popularity
- The aircraft's fuel system is pressurised by gravity
- The electric fuel pump provides redundancy in case of engine-driven pump failure
The Cessna 172's two fuel tanks hold 28 gallons each, for a total capacity of 56 gallons
The Cessna 172 is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft with a high fixed wing. It has been in use since 1955 and is a popular aircraft for flight training and personal use. The Cessna 172S, a variant of the Cessna 172, features two fuel tanks, with each tank mounted in each wing. These tanks hold 28 gallons each, for a total fuel capacity of 56 gallons. However, only 53 gallons of this fuel is usable, as the remaining fuel may be contaminated by dirt and other factors, and is therefore kept separate from the fuel used by the engine.
The Cessna 172S's fuel system includes a fuel selector valve that can be set to "Left," "Right," or "Both," allowing fuel to be drawn from either or both tanks simultaneously. This is a unique feature compared to most low-wing aircraft, which typically only have "Left" and "Right" settings. The Cessna 172's high-wing design also allows gravity to play a significant role in pressurizing the fuel system, reducing the need for additional pumps.
The Cessna 172 has undergone various modifications and improvements over the years, including changes to its wing design, interior, and engine power. Optional long-range fuel tanks with a capacity of 52 gallons have also been offered for the Cessna 172, further extending its endurance and range.
The Cessna 172's fuel capacity and efficient fuel system contribute to its reputation for endurance and popularity, making it a versatile and reliable aircraft for pilots worldwide.
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Only 53 gallons of fuel are usable, to prevent fuel contamination
The Cessna 172 is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft with a high fixed wing. It has two fuel tanks, with one tank mounted in each wing. Each tank holds 28 gallons, for a total fuel capacity of 56 gallons. However, only 53 gallons of fuel is usable. This is because there is a risk of fuel contamination.
Fuel contamination occurs when dirt and other contaminants enter the tanks. Over time, these contaminants settle at the bottom of the tank. The lines that draw fuel to the engine are slightly above the bottom of the tank to avoid picking up these contaminants. This means that the fuel at the very bottom of the tank is unusable.
The Cessna 172's fuel system has several features to prevent fuel contamination. For example, the fuel supply lines in the tanks have a mesh screen to help eliminate sediment from the tanks. There is also a finer filter and sump, sometimes called a "gascolator", which can be drained to check for contaminants within the fuel system.
The Cessna 172's high-wing design also helps to prevent fuel contamination. Unlike low-wing aircraft, the 172 uses gravity to pressurize the fuel system. This means that it only needs an electric boost pump in addition to the engine-driven fuel pump. The engine-driven fuel pump is powered by the engine's accessory case, so if the engine isn't running, it can't provide fuel pressure.
By having only 53 gallons of usable fuel, the Cessna 172 ensures that any contaminants that may have entered the fuel tanks will remain at the bottom of the tanks and will not be drawn into the engine. This helps to maintain the aircraft's performance, range, and safety.
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The Cessna 172 is known for its endurance and popularity
The Cessna 172 is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft that has played a significant role in aviation history. It was first flown in 1955 and has remained popular for nearly seven decades. The Cessna 172 is known for its endurance and popularity, making it the most successful aircraft in history. Over 44,000 Cessna 172 aircraft have been built, solidifying its place in aviation history.
The Cessna 172's popularity can be attributed to its exceptional performance and consistent customer satisfaction. It has been used in most pilot training facilities across the United States and more than 50% of the world's pilots started their training in this aircraft. The introductory base price of the Cessna 172 was US $8,995, making it an affordable option for many.
The Cessna 172 has a fuel capacity of 56 gallons, with two fuel tanks mounted in each wing, each holding 28 gallons. However, only 53 gallons of fuel is usable due to the potential for fuel contamination. The aircraft's fuel system is designed to prevent contamination, with fuel supply lines that have a mesh screen to eliminate sediment and a ""gascolator" drain that can be sumped to check for contaminants.
The Cessna 172's endurance is further enhanced by its efficient fuel system and engine. The high-wing design allows gravity to pressurize the system, reducing the need for an additional fuel pump. The engine's fuel pump is powered by the engine's accessory case, providing fuel pressure during operation. Additionally, the aircraft has an electric fuel pump as a backup in case of failure, ensuring consistent fuel pressure and engine operation.
The Cessna 172's popularity and endurance have been maintained over the years through continuous improvements and modifications. Cessna has introduced various models, such as the 172S and the Skyhawk, which offer increased engine power, higher gross weights, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced comfort and safety features. The aircraft's versatility and reliability have made it a favorite among pilots and a fixture in the aviation world.
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The aircraft's fuel system is pressurised by gravity
The Cessna 172 is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft with a high fixed wing. It was first flown in 1955 and has been in production for nearly seven decades. The aircraft has two fuel tanks, with one tank mounted in each wing. Each tank holds 28 gallons, for a total fuel capacity of 56 gallons. However, only around 53 gallons of fuel is usable, with the remaining fuel acting as a buffer to prevent fuel contamination.
The Cessna 172's fuel system is pressurised by gravity, with the weight of the fuel in the tank pushing down on the fuel in the lines. This pressure allows the fuel to flow to any point below it. The high-wing design of the Cessna 172 means that gravity plays a significant role in the fuel system. In high-wing aircraft, the pressure is achieved through a combination of the engine-driven fuel pump and gravity. The engine-driven fuel pump is powered by the engine's accessory case, so it relies on gravity to provide fuel pressure when the engine is not running.
To assist with this, the Cessna 172 also has an electric boost pump, which provides fuel pressure for operations like starting the engine. The electric pump also serves as a backup in case of engine-driven pump failure. Additionally, there is a mechanical pump for the fuel injectors. The combination of these pumps and gravity feed means that the Cessna 172's fuel system is an amalgamation of both pump-fed and gravity-fed systems.
The fuel flow in the Cessna 172's gravity fuel system must be able to provide 150% of the takeoff fuel consumption of the engine. This is in contrast to low-wing aircraft, which typically have pump systems and are required to provide 125% of takeoff fuel consumption. The presence of the pumps in the Cessna 172's system does not change the fact that it is primarily gravity-fed, as the tanks are higher than the motor.
The fuel first flows by gravity from the two wing tanks to a three-position selector valve (labelled "BOTH", "RIGHT", and "LEFT") and then on to the reservoir tank. From the reservoir tank, the fuel flows through the auxiliary fuel pump, past the fuel shutoff valve, and through the fuel strainer to the engine-driven fuel pump. This process ensures that the Cessna 172's fuel system is pressurised by gravity, with the pumps providing additional support and redundancy.
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The electric fuel pump provides redundancy in case of engine-driven pump failure
The Cessna 172 is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft with a high fixed wing. It has two fuel tanks, one mounted in each wing, with a total fuel capacity of 56 gallons (although only 53 gallons is usable). The aircraft is renowned for its endurance and has been a staple in aviation history since its first flight in 1955.
The Cessna 172's high-wing design allows gravity to play a significant role in pressurising the fuel system. In addition to the engine-driven fuel pump, an electric boost pump is required for operations like starting the aircraft. This electric pump, also known as the electric fuel pump, serves as a backup in case of engine-driven pump failure.
The engine-driven fuel pump is powered by the engine's accessory case, meaning it cannot provide fuel pressure if the engine isn't running. This is where the electric fuel pump comes into play. In the event of engine-driven pump failure, the electric fuel pump provides redundancy by maintaining sufficient fuel pressure to keep the engine operating normally.
The fuel injector servo regulator ensures the correct air-to-fuel ratio by comparing inlet air pressure to fuel inlet pressure, allowing for metered fuel pressure. This metered fuel pressure is crucial for maintaining the desired power output.
The electric fuel pump's role as a backup is essential for the Cessna 172's safety and reliability, ensuring that a failure of the engine-driven pump does not result in immediate power loss. This redundancy in the fuel system contributes to the aircraft's enduring popularity among pilots and its prominent place in aviation history.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cessna 172 has two fuel tanks, with a total capacity of 56 gallons (28 gallons in each tank). However, only 53 gallons of fuel is usable to prevent fuel contamination.
The electric fuel pump serves as a backup to the engine-driven pump. If the engine-driven pump fails, the electric pump provides enough fuel pressure to maintain normal power output.
The Cessna 172's high-wing design utilizes gravity to pressurize the fuel system. An electric boost pump and an engine-driven fuel pump are also employed for operations like starting.
The price of a Cessna 172 can vary due to factors such as the aircraft's age, flight hours, modifications, and maintenance history.
