What Do I Need To Know About Cessna? – A Complete Guide to the Right Aircraft
The name Cessna is synonymous with general aviation. It’s the most popular general aviation aircraft in the world, and for good reason. They’re affordable, simple to fly, and require less maintenance than comparably priced aircraft.
But what do you really need to know about Cessna? This article will answer all of your questions, from what kind of aircraft they are to what they’re good for. Let’s get started.
What is a Cessna?
Cessna is the brand name of general aviation aircraft produced by Textron Aviation, located in Wichita, Kansas. It was founded in1930 as a spinoff from the Seymour Airplane Company in Connecticut.
The name Cessna is a portmanteau of the first three letters of the words “crosswing” and “single”, as the aircraft’s design features a crosswing.
Cessna aircraft are generally small, single-engine, general aviation planes. They’re known for being simple to fly, easy to maintain, and easy to get your license for.
Cessna also makes a line of turboprop aircraft, known as the Cessna 340 and the Cessna 400. These planes have an extra engine in the rear and are good for flying in rugged conditions such as mountains and sensitive areas.
What’s a Good Cessna?
A good Cessna will be reliable, easy to fly, and will cost you around $2000 to $5000. The Cessna 182 and the Cessna 206 are good options if you’re looking for a cheap and simple aircraft.
Cessna 150
The Cessna 150 was the first aircraft in the Cessna line. It was introduced in 1946 and has been continuously refined since then.
The Cessna 150 is the perfect aircraft for pilots with a commercial license who want to gain experience in general aviation. It’s also a good first aircraft for pilots who want to learn to fly.
The Cessna 150 is equipped with a 65HP engine, has a maximum weight of 350 lbs, and a useful load of 150 lbs. It has a cruise speed of 97 MPH, a maximum ceiling of 13,200 feet, and a range of 230 miles.
It’s a great aircraft for a first-time airplane owner, or for pilots who plan to do a lot of short takeoffs and landings. It’s easy to get in and out of and has a small enough footprint that you can do most any aviation job in a 150 without needing something bigger.
Cessna 152
The Cessna 152 is a more advanced aircraft than the Cessna 150. It was designed for aerobatics and long-distance flight and is, therefore, more expensive and sophisticated than the Cessna 150.
The Cessna 152 has an additional wing area and can carry up to four passengers instead of the Cessna 150’s maximum of two. It can also be equipped with a more powerful engine, for a longer range, at an additional cost.
The Cessna 152 is also good for learning to fly in, as it’s a lot easier to get your license than the Cessna 182 or the Cessna 206.
It has a cruise speed of 104 MPH, a maximum ceiling of 18,500 feet, a useful load of up to 250 lbs, and a gross weight of 880 lbs.
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 is a high-performance version of the Cessna 150. It has more power than the Cessna 150, and a heavier, more aerodynamic body.
The Cessna 172 is also significantly faster than the Cessna 150. It has a maximum speed of 127 MPH, a useful load of up to 350 lbs, and a gross weight of 981 lbs.
The Cessna 172 can be flown in either single or two-seat configuration and is the only Cessna model that can be so configured.
The 172 is a great plane for competition aerobatics, or for pilots who want a plane that’s more fun to fly. It’s also much more expensive than the Cessna 150, making it a good plane for pilotapality.
Cessna Model 210
The Cessna Model 210 is a high-wing, autogiro tandem-seat plane. Autogyros are airplanes that fly themselves, without a pilot on board.
Cessna manufactured the first autogyros in the United States, and the Model 210 is their flagship model. It’s also one of the oldest aircraft in the Cessna line, dating back to the 1930s.
The 210 is equipped with twin rotors and is capable of both autogyro flight and helicopter-style rotor-based flight. It’s a good all-around plane and can do either job well.
It has a useful load of up to 660 lbs, a cruise speed of 108 MPH, a maximum ceiling of 18,200 feet, and a range of 300 miles.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Cessnas
Here’s an overview of what you need to know about Cessnas in general:
- The planes are incredibly reliable, and maintenance is generally easy.
- Cessna planes tend to be underpowered, and are known for “pulling” in high-altitude flights.
- Compared to other general aviation aircraft, Cessnas are relatively short-ranged, with only an average carrying capacity.
- The Cessna 152 and the Cessna 172 are the most popular, and the most widely-produced, general aviation aircraft in history.
Final Words
Cessnas are some of the most affordable and accessible general aviation aircraft around. They’re easy to fly, easy to maintain, and easy to get your license for, making them an excellent choice for the budding aviator.
If you’re looking for a plane that’s easy to get in and out of, that’s not going to take up a lot of space, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg, the Cessna 150 is a great place to start.