Sylvie Willis
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 been used in most pilot training facilities across the United States. The fuel capacity of a Cessna 172 varies depending on the model and modifications. For example, the 1976 Cessna 172M with standard tanks has a fuel capacity of 42 gallons, while the 172N has a capacity of 43 gallons. The aircraft can be modified with supplemental type certificates (STCs) to increase fuel tank capacity in the wing tips or add baggage compartment tanks.
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What You'll Learn
- The Cessna 172S has two fuel tanks, one in each wing, with a total capacity of 56 gallons
- The 1976 Cessna 172M has a fuel capacity of 42 gallons, with 38 gallons being usable
- The 172's fuel selector valve can be placed on 'both' to draw fuel from both tanks
- The 172's endurance and popularity have made it the most successful aircraft in history
- The 172 has a diesel engine option, which burns 3 gallons less fuel per hour
The Cessna 172S has two fuel tanks, one in each wing, with a total capacity of 56 gallons
The Cessna 172 is a single-engine piston aircraft with a high fixed wing. It has been used in most pilot training facilities across the United States and is also used for personal flights. The Cessna 172S, introduced in 1998, features a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine with 180hp.
The Cessna 172's fuel system uses gravity to pressurize the system, with the help of an electric boost pump and an engine-driven fuel pump. The electric fuel pump serves as a backup in case the engine-driven pump fails, providing enough fuel pressure to maintain normal power output. The fuel injector servo regulator ensures the correct air-to-fuel ratio by comparing inlet air pressure to fuel inlet pressure.
The Cessna 172 has been in production since 1956, with over 44,000 aircraft built to date. The price of a new Cessna 172 is around $400,000, while a used one can be valued at around $100,000.
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The 1976 Cessna 172M has a fuel capacity of 42 gallons, with 38 gallons being usable
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 the air for nearly seven decades. The Cessna 172 is known for its endurance and popularity, and it has been used in most pilot training facilities across the United States. More than 50% of the world's pilots started their training in the Cessna 172, and it remains a popular aircraft for flight training and personal use.
The fuel capacity and usable fuel load are important considerations for any aircraft, as they directly impact the range and endurance of the flight. The Cessna 172 has been known for its endurance capabilities, with a world record set in 1958 for a refuelled flight endurance of 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds.
The Cessna 172 has undergone several modifications and variants over the years, including changes to the fuel tank capacity. For example, the 1969 model offered optional long-range 52-gallon wing fuel tanks. Additionally, the Cessna 172 can be modified with supplemental type certificates (STCs) to increase fuel tank capacity in the wingtips or add baggage compartment tanks. These modifications can further enhance the endurance and range of the aircraft.
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The 172's fuel selector valve can be placed on 'both' to draw fuel from both tanks
The Cessna 172S is a four-place aircraft with two fuel tanks, one mounted in each wing. Each tank holds 28 gallons of fuel, for a total fuel capacity of 56 gallons. However, only 53 gallons of this fuel is usable, as the lines that draw fuel to the engine are slightly above the bottom of the tanks, ensuring that any contaminants that have settled at the bottom are not picked up.
The 172's fuel selector valve can be placed on "both" to draw fuel from both tanks. This is unlike most low-wing aircraft, which only have "left" and "right" settings. The "both" position allows fuel to flow from both the left and right tanks simultaneously. This is useful for ensuring maximum fuel capacity and minimizing cross-feeding when refueling.
It is important to note that, according to FAR 23.951, aircraft manufacturers are not permitted to design a fuel pump that can draw fuel from more than one tank at a time. Therefore, the Cessna 172S has a small fuel reservoir tank between the fuel selector valve and the engine, with a fuel shut-off valve between the collector tank and the engine. When "left" or "right" is selected, fuel from the other tank is prevented from draining into the reservoir tank.
The Cessna 172's fuel system also includes an electric fuel pump, which serves as a backup in case the engine-driven pump fails. This electric pump provides fuel pressure during operations like starting, when fuel must be pumped into the intake manifold or valve chamber. The engine-driven fuel pump is powered by the engine's accessory case and cannot provide fuel pressure when the engine is not running.
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$13.79
The 172's endurance and popularity have made it the most successful aircraft in history
The Cessna 172 is a four-seat, single-engine aircraft that was first flown in June 1955 and entered commercial service in 1956. With a range of nearly 700 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 126 knots, the 172 has become a popular choice for flight training companies and aspiring pilots. The aircraft's endurance, simplicity, and reliability have made it a favourite among trainee pilots.
The 172 was based on the Cessna 170 taildragger, with the most notable difference being the gear configuration. The tricycle gear, named Land-O-Matic by the marketing department, helped make the Cessna 172 an excellent training aircraft. The 1956 version of the 172 came out with a price tag of $8,295. The 172's popularity was immediate, with over 1,400 units produced and delivered in its first full year of production.
In 1968, Cessna planned to replace the 172 with a newly designed aircraft called the 172J. However, the popularity of the 172 with Cessna dealers and flight schools led to the cancellation of this plan, and the 172J was redesignated as the 177. Cessna resumed production of the 172 in 1996 with the 172R model, which was the first time the Cessna factory made a full commitment to a fuel-injected 172.
The 172 has continued to evolve and improve over the years, with various upgrades and modifications made to the aircraft's design, engine, and avionics. The 2012 model, for example, featured a Garmin GTS 800 TAS that provided directional audible alerts for traffic and automatically pulsed the landing lights when a traffic target was nearby. The 2022 model year introduced the Cessna 172S, which featured a Garmin G1000 NXI integrated flight deck with wireless database and flight plan loading capabilities.
With more than 44,000 Cessna 172 Skyhawks built since its inception, it is the most successful aircraft in the history of general aviation. The aircraft remains in production today, over 70 years after the first unit was built.
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The 172 has a diesel engine option, which burns 3 gallons less fuel per hour
The Cessna 172 is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft that has played a significant role in aviation history. Introduced in 1955, it has remained popular for nearly seven decades. The aircraft is known for its endurance and reliability, making it a favourite among pilots and ideal for flight training and personal use.
The Cessna 172 has two fuel tanks, with one tank mounted in each wing. The fuel capacity of the Cessna 172 varies depending on the model and fuel tank configuration. For example, the 1976 Cessna 172M with standard tanks has a fuel capacity of 42 gallons, while the long-range tank option offers a capacity of 52 gallons.
In 2014, a new model of the Cessna 172 was introduced, powered by a 155 hp (116 kW) Continental CD-155 diesel engine. This diesel-powered model burns 3 gallons less fuel per hour than the standard 172, resulting in a significantly increased range of 885 nautical miles (1,639 km).
The diesel engine option for the Cessna 172 provides improved fuel efficiency, burning 3 gallons less fuel per hour compared to the standard model. This translates to a notable increase in range, offering enhanced performance and efficiency for pilots.
It is worth noting that while diesel engines offer better fuel efficiency, they also come at a higher manufacturing cost, often more than twice that of gasoline engines. As a result, the overall price of a diesel-powered aircraft can be significantly higher, impacting its affordability for potential buyers.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel capacity of a Cessna 172 varies depending on the model. The 1976 Cessna 172M with standard tanks holds 42 gallons of fuel, while the long-range tanks option can hold 52 gallons. The 172N model has a capacity of 43 gallons. The 1970 model offered optional long-range 52-gallon wing fuel tanks. The Cessna 172S has a total fuel capacity of 56 gallons, with 28 gallons in each of its two tanks.
Depending on the model, not all of the fuel in a C-172 is usable. For example, in the 1976 Cessna 172M with standard tanks, only 38 of the 42 gallons are usable. Similarly, the long-range tanks option has 48 usable gallons out of a total of 52. The 172N model has 40 gallons usable out of its 43-gallon capacity. In the Cessna 172S, 53 gallons of fuel are usable.
The fuel efficiency of a C-172 can vary depending on various factors, including the specific model, engine type, and flight conditions. For example, the 2015 model of the Cessna 172 with a diesel engine burns 3 US gallons (11 litres) less fuel per hour than the standard 172.
Yes, the Cessna 172 can be modified with supplemental type certificates (STCs) to increase fuel tank capacity. This includes adding additional fuel tanks in the wingtips or installing baggage compartment tanks.
The refuelling interval for a C-172 depends on various factors such as fuel tank capacity, fuel efficiency, and flight conditions. For example, the 2015 model with a diesel engine has a range of 1,639 km, so it can fly this distance before needing to be refuelled.
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