Summary
- Newly purchased Cessna 172 is around $359,000, used ones range from $30,000 to $235,000, based on condition and model year.
- Costly fixed expenses include insurance ($150 - $11,500) and hangar fees ($1,800 - $12,000/year)
- Total operating cost approximately $30,000/yr for 100 hours of flight, including $5,000 fixed cost and $200 per hour variable cost.
The Cessna 172 is the most popular single-engine aircraft ever produced. Its design, handling, and stability make it ideal for flight training and cross-country travel. With over 44,000 examples produced to date, let's look at how much it costs to operate the type.
Cessna 172
Design characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: three passengers
- Length: 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m)
- Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
- Wing area: 174 sq ft (16.2 m2)
- Empty weight: 1,691 lb (767 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,450 lb (1,111 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 56 US gallons (212 liters)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-360-L2A four-cylinder
- Engine power: 160 hp (120 kW)
The Cessna 172 is a single-engine high-wing aircraft designed and developed by Cessna, a Textron Aviation company. The aircraft first flew in 1955 and has been in production ever since. It is the most produced general aviation aircraft. According to Textron Aviation,
"Nothing is more liberating than learning to fly. The Cessna® Skyhawk® piston is the most popular single-engine aircraft ever built and has achieved a reputation for being the ultimate training aircraft."
With simplistic flight characteristics, great visibility and a sophisticated glass co*ckpit outfitted with Garmin® G1000® avionics, the Cessna® Skyhawk® piston boasts a slow landing speed and a lenient stall. These characteristics make it a flight training favorite ideally suited for student pilots and it’s perfectly designed to help you soar.
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New vs. used
The first cost is the initial outlay for the aircraft, and you have to consider the options of buying new or used aircraft. A new Cessna 172 Skyhawk in 2023 will cost around $359,000 for the base model. This will, however, include a warranty and have the latest technology. A used Cessna 172 can be found for anywhere between $30,000 and $235,000, depending on the model's year and the aircraft's condition.
Other options
A used Cessna 150 is one of the cheapest aircraft, at around $12,000-$18,000. For a more recent quality used Cessna 150 or 172, you should expect to pay between $30,000 to $50,000. It is always important to inspect the aircraft and check its maintenance records.
Photo:VLithium366 | Shutterstock
Read More: The Cessna Skyhawk - A Complete History
Fixed costs
Insurance is essential and varies depending on the age of the aircraft and the coverage required. A new Cessna 172 can be insured for between $6,500 and $11,500 annually. On the other hand, you can insure a used one for $150 to $250 per year for basic liability insurance. For complete coverage insurance of a Cessna worth $50,000, you can expect to pay between $550 and $1200 annually.
Hangar costs can vary widely depending on whether you are renting from a hangar owner or the airport itself. This can cost between $1,800 and $12,000 per year. For outside storage or 'tie-down,' fees can cost between $450 and $950. Although cheaper, you must factor in weather conditions and the possibility of outside damage. For annual inspections, the cost is $1,800; for general maintenance costs, you should expect to pay $700 to $900.
Variable costs
Variable costs depend on the amount of fuel the aircraft uses, including how often you change the oil. Cessnas usually use Av Gas 100LL, which costs around $6.00 per gallon. Hourly fuel costs may be between $42 and $54 per hour of flight time. Oil changes can vary depending on how the aircraft is used.
Depending on usage, it may be changed every 50 or 100 hours and will cost $200. Engine overhauls are not annual but should be considered a variable cost. Landing fees vary widely at different airports but allow $50-$150 per year. Cleaning costs around $100 for a basic exterior wash.
Breakdown
According to the Aircraft Cost Calculator,
Cessna 172R | Flying 100 hours per year |
|---|---|
Annual owner hours | 100 |
Total fixed cost | $5,000 |
Total variable cost | $200 per flight hour |
Maintenance/repairs | $50 per flight hour |
Yearly operating cost | $30,000 |
As an average breakdown of owning and operating a Cessna 172 or similar:
- Total fixed costs $2,000-$5000, including insurance, hangar, and maintenance
- Variable costs are $100-$200 per flight hour, including fuel, oil, landing fees, etc.
- Maintenance/repairs $50 per flight hour
- On average, it costs between $17,000 and $30,000, including fixed and variable costs, to fly a Cessna (not including the original purchase price) per year based on 100 hours or under.
- For 300 hours, it costs around $80,000 per year.
In conclusion, after the initial outlay for the aircraft, it may not be as expensive as first thought to own and operate a Cessna 172 or similar. If you only fly a few times per year, the storage costs will be higher, but the variable costs are lower, so estimated flying hours should be considered. It is essential to research the costs of owning an aircraft and make an informed decision based on how often and what type of flying you will be doing.
What are your thoughts on the operating costs of Cessna 172? Have you flown one yourself or taken a quick ride in one? Share your experience in the comment section.
