Cessna Fuel Capacity: How Much Can It Hold?

how much fuel does a cessna hold

Cessna is an aircraft manufacturing company that produces a wide range of planes, from small, simple, and easy-to-maintain 2-seaters to larger aircraft. The fuel capacity of a Cessna plane varies depending on the model. For example, the Cessna 150 has a fuel capacity of around 25 gallons, while the Cessna 206 has a capacity of 92 gallons. The Cessna 172, one of the most popular aircraft ever built, has a fuel capacity of 56 gallons, burning approximately 8 gallons per hour when cruising at 125 mph. This burn rate is comparable to that of a Mercedes AMG, which gets 14 MPG at 120 mph.

Characteristics Values
Cessna 150 25 gallons total, 22.5 usable
Cessna 152 26 gallons
Cessna 152 (long-range fuel tanks) 39 gallons
Cessna 172S 56 gallons total, 53 gallons usable
Cessna 206 92 gallons
Cessna Pressurized 210 Centurion 90 gallons
Cessna 310 102 gallons baseline capacity, ranging from 102-207 gallons
Cessna TTx 106 gallons

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Cessna 172S fuel capacity

The Cessna 172 is an American four-seat, single-engine, high-wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. The Cessna 172S is a variant of the Cessna 172 that was introduced in 1998. It is powered by a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine that produces 180 horsepower, an increase of 20 hp over the previous "R" model.

The Cessna 172S has a fuel capacity of approximately 56 gallons, distributed across two fuel tanks mounted in each wing. While the total fuel capacity is 56 gallons, only around 53 gallons are considered usable for flight. This distinction is essential for pilots during flight planning to ensure safety and efficiency, as it helps to avoid emergencies and ensures the aircraft operates within its limits.

The Cessna 172S's fuel system is designed with features to prevent fuel contamination. While efforts are made to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering the tanks, the fuel below the lines that draw fuel to the engine is intentionally left unusable to avoid any issues should contamination occur. This unusable fuel also serves as a reserve for emergency situations.

The high-wing design of the Cessna 172S allows gravity to play a significant role in the fuel system's pressurization. This gravity-fed system, combined with an electric boost pump and an engine-driven fuel pump, ensures adequate fuel pressure for various operations, including starting the engine.

In summary, the Cessna 172S has a total fuel capacity of around 56 gallons, with approximately 53 gallons usable for normal flight operations. Proper fuel management and understanding of the aircraft's weight balance and distribution are critical for pilots to ensure safe and efficient flights.

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Cessna 150 fuel capacity

The Cessna 150 is an all-metal, two-seat, high-wing, single-engine airplane equipped with tricycle landing gear. It was introduced by the Cessna Aircraft Company in 1959 and was available in four different versions: Standard, Trainer, Commuter, and Patroller. The aircraft is powered by a four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, normally aspirated, direct-drive, air-cooled, carburetor-equipped engine. The engine is a Continental Model O-200-A and is rated at 100 hp.

The fuel capacity of the Cessna 150 is 26 gallons, supplied to the engine from two 13-gallon tanks, one in each wing. From these tanks, fuel flows by gravity through a fuel shutoff valve and fuel strainer to the carburetor. The fuel capacity can be increased to 38 gallons with the optional long-range system.

The Cessna 150 was the fifth most-produced civilian plane ever built, with nearly 24,000 made before production stopped in 1985. Over the years, the Cessna 150 experienced several modifications, including improvements to the baggage area and the addition of a back window for better visibility. The gross weight was also increased over time, from 1,500 pounds to 1,670 pounds.

The Cessna 150 is known for its superb handling qualities and is considered an excellent trainer aircraft, with over 250,000 pilots trained on the 150/152 series. It is praised for its stable flight characteristics and generous stall warning, making it a popular choice for flight training.

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Cessna 206 fuel capacity

The Cessna 206, also known as the Super Skywagon, Skywagon, Stationair, and Super Skylane, is a single-engined, general aviation aircraft produced by Cessna. Cessna began producing the 206 in 1964, upgrading it from the Cessna 205, which was a fixed-gear version of the Cessna 210 with a smaller engine. The Cessna 206 has stood the test of time and is one of Cessna's few piston aircraft still in production today, with more than 8,500 built between 1962 and 2006.

The Cessna 206 is a true sports utility vehicle of the sky. It is one of the only airplanes that can carry a full load of passengers, bags, and fuel while also performing as advertised. The Cessna Turbo 206 Stationair, for example, has an average empty weight of 2,274 pounds and a gross weight of 3,600 pounds, leaving a useful load of around 1,326 pounds.

The fuel capacity of the Cessna 206 is 92 gallons, which means the full fuel useful load is approximately 774 pounds. This fuel capacity allows the Cessna 206 to have a maximum range of 973 miles, with a normal cruise speed of 147 knots and an economy cruise speed of 117 knots.

The Cessna 206 is a highly versatile and functional aircraft, favoured for its load-hauling ability rather than its looks. Its ability to carry a full load of passengers, baggage, and fuel while maintaining performance makes it a popular choice for both commercial air service and personal use.

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Cessna TTx fuel capacity

The Cessna TTx, previously called the Columbia 400 and then Cessna 400 TT, has a typical fuel capacity of 106 gallons. This gives the aircraft a full fuel useful load of approximately 464 pounds.

The TTx's fuel capacity is greater than that of its main competitor, the Cirrus SR22T. The TTx can also glide further, and has a better climb rate.

The TTx's fuel consumption depends on its altitude and power setting. At 25,000 feet and 85% power, the aircraft burns 24 gallons per hour. At a more typical cruise altitude and power setting, below 10,000 feet, the TTx burns 14 to 18 gallons per hour.

The TTx's speed can be increased by pushing the throttle up to 37.5 inches of mercury at 7,500 feet, but this increases the fuel burn to 24 gallons per hour.

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Fuel burn rate of a Cessna 172

The Cessna 172 is a single-engine propeller aircraft with a fuel capacity of 56 gallons. However, only 53 gallons of fuel can be used, with the remaining 3 gallons left unused to prevent fuel contamination. The Cessna 172's fuel system utilises gravity and a combination of engine-driven and electric fuel pumps to deliver fuel to the engine.

The fuel burn rate of the Cessna 172 is approximately 7 to 9 gallons per hour, depending on various factors such as cruising speed and altitude. At a cruising speed of 125 mph, the Cessna 172 burns approximately 8 gallons of fuel per hour. This burn rate translates to a fuel efficiency of around 15 miles per gallon (MPG), which is lower than most road cars on the highway.

The hourly fuel cost for the Cessna 172, when fuelled with Avgas, can range from $42 to $54 per hour, considering the fuel price at around $6 per gallon. The overall operating costs of the Cessna 172, including fuel, insurance, storage fees, maintenance, and landing fees, typically average between $100 and $200 per hour.

While the fuel burn rate and efficiency of the Cessna 172 may not be favourable in comparison to some cars, it's important to note that the savings in travel time over long distances can make up for the higher fuel costs. Additionally, the Cessna 172's fuel efficiency is comparable to other aircraft in its class, and its operating costs are considered relatively straightforward and lower than most other conventional aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

Most Cessna 150s have a fuel capacity of 25 gallons, with 22.5 gallons being usable.

The Cessna 172 has two fuel tanks, with a total fuel capacity of 56 gallons. However, only 53 gallons of fuel is usable.

The Cessna 206 has a typical fuel capacity of 92 gallons.

The Cessna TTx has a typical fuel capacity of 106 gallons.

The Cessna 210 has a typical fuel capacity of 90 gallons.

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