General aviation · Flight training
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a light, single-engine aircraft closely associated with civilian flight training. Its high wing, fixed landing gear, and four-seat cabin provide a useful introduction to the scale and purpose of general aviation, which encompasses flying beyond scheduled airline service.
Textron Aviation emphasizes the Skyhawk's predictable handling and visibility in its training role. The aircraft also illustrates how an established airframe can accommodate changes in cockpit equipment over time. Modern glass-panel instruments are one chapter in that development; older examples can have very different instrument layouts.
What to look for
- A high wing supported by external struts
- One nose-mounted propeller and fixed tricycle landing gear
- A compact cabin used for instruction and personal travel