Cessna · 1960–1960
Cessna 172A (1960)
iSpecifications
Cruise
114KTAS
Range
480nm
Seats
4
Useful Load
940lbs
Full-fuel payload
706lbs
Fuel Burn
7gph
Fuel Cap.
39gal
MPG
18.7mpg
Stall (Vs0)
43KIAS
T/O roll
865ft
Ldg roll
520ft
Power
145hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Fixed
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$38k
Range
$22k – $60k
Annual all-in
~$12k/yr
All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (7 gph)
- $4,550
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $1,556
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $5,894
- Total per year
- $12,000
- Per flight hour
- $120
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 13,119 mi
- Cost per mile
- $0.91/mi
Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.
See how every Cessna 172 / Skyhawkyear stacks up — engines, changes, and which to buy — in our year-by-year buyer's guide.
Strengths
- Historic swept-tail design at below-later-model pricing
- Factory float certification opens seaplane versatility
- Reliable O-300-C engine with decent parts availability
- Affordable entry point to certified four-place aircraft
Weaknesses
- 2,200 lb gross weight limits useful load; careful weight planning required
- Marginal climb performance (645 FPM) degrades further with floats
- Single model year (1960) means fewer airframes in market
- Float equipment adds $8k–$20k+ overhaul cost if needed
Overview
The 1960 Cessna 172A introduced the swept-back vertical tail and rudder that has defined the 172's silhouette ever since -- the single most visible design change in the 172's entire production history. It also became the first 172 certified for float operations, opening the model to seaplane use. About 1,015 172A examples were produced in the single 1960 model year before the 172B updated the engine to the O-300-C/D in 1961.
The 172A is the cheapest swept-tail 172. For buyers who want the "modern" 172 look but cannot stretch to a 172D (Omni-Vision rear window) or later, the 172A delivers the swept-tail aesthetic at straight-tail pricing.
Variants & History
| Feature | 172 (1956-1959) | 172A (1960) | 172B (1961) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical tail | Straight | Swept back (new) | Swept back |
| Engine | Continental O-300-A | Continental O-300-C | Continental O-300-D |
| Gross weight | 2,200 lbs | 2,200 lbs | 2,250 lbs (+50 lbs) |
| Float certification | No | Yes (new) | Yes |
| Cowling | Original | Revised cowling | Pointed spinner |
| "Skyhawk" name | No | No | Yes (deluxe option) |
Performance
Performance
114 KTAS cruise, 645 FPM sea-level climb, 7.0 GPH fuel burn. Identical to the original straight-tail in book numbers except for slight rate-of-climb degradation from the added swept-tail surface area (drag is marginally higher than the straight tail). Real-world cruise: 105-108 KTAS at economy settings (65% power, 6.0-6.5 GPH).
Gross weight remained at 2,200 lbs -- a 50-lb increase to 2,250 lbs came with the 172B in 1961. Plan four-place loading carefully.
Float Operations
The 172A is the first 172 with factory float certification. Common float installations include EDO 2000 and Wipline 2100 series straight floats, and amphibious variants for limited use. Performance penalty with floats:
- Cruise drops 12-15 KTAS (typical 95-100 KTAS)
- Climb degrades 100-150 FPM
- Useful load drops by float weight (~200 lbs for straight floats, ~280 lbs for amphibs)
- Service ceiling drops to ~10,500 ft
A 172A on floats remains one of the most affordable certified seaplanes available, though the Cessna 180 is generally preferred for serious seaplane work.
2006 Cessna 172S
G1000 Skyhawk · Mid-Time Engine · Clean Logs
Maintenance & Support
The O-300-C is a minor evolution of the O-300-A with improved magneto installation and accessory mounts. Functionally identical in performance: 145 HP, 1,800 hour TBO, six cylinders. Parts availability is slightly better than the O-300-A because the C and D variants were produced in larger numbers.
Valuation Factors
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Project / needs engine | $18,000-$26,000 |
| Flying but tired | $24,000-$40,000 |
| Well-maintained | $40,000-$58,000 |
| Restored / float-equipped | $55,000-$80,000+ |
Float-equipped 172As trade at the high end of the range. A clean amphibious 172A can exceed $90,000 -- driven entirely by float value rather than airframe value.
2005 Cessna 182T Skylane
G1000 Skylane · No Damage · Hangared
ADs & Common Problems
See universal Cessna 172 pre-buy concerns. Items specific to 172A:
- Float-history corrosion: Any 172A with float operation history needs aggressive belly skin and lower spar inspection for saltwater/freshwater corrosion.
- Swept-tail attach hardware: The 172A introduced the swept-tail design; verify rudder hinge and vertical fin attach bolt condition.
- Float airworthiness: If equipped with floats, the float assembly itself is often older than the airplane. Float overhaul ($8,000-$20,000+ depending on installation) is its own line item.
- 2,200 lb gross: Earlier owners may have flown over gross routinely. Inspect for fatigue damage particularly in horizontal stabilizer attach area.
For sale (0)
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