Today’s Top Pick is a 1978 Cessna 172N Skyhawk.

Many pilots have at least considered training for a seaplane rating and possibly finding the ideal aircraft for our intended missions, from fishing trips to family excursions on remote rivers and lakes. While the fantasy version of this daydream probably involves a deHavilland Beaver or turbine Otter, a Cessna 172 like this one seems like a more practical approach.

The aircraft for sale here is equipped with Baumann 2550 floats, which are known for light weight. Its engine was upgraded to 180 hp from the original 150 and would still be familiar and relatively easy to handle for any pilot who has flown or trained in 172s.

I know of several out-of-the-way places I would like to visit in an airplane like this. I am adding the seaplane rating to my to-do list for 2025.

This 172N has 6,123 hours on the airframe and 1,276 since overhaul on its 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engine. The engine upgrade was part of the Penn Yan conversion and includes a powerflow exhaust. The VFR panel features a standard six pack of gauges, a Garmin GNC 250XL GPS and a Bendix-King KX 155 nav/com radio.

Pilots who want a straightforward, utilitarian floatplane to expand their flying adventures to waterways should take a look at this 1978 Cessna 172N Skyhawk, which is available for $132,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

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“We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce this acquisition of Cessna Skyhawks, which marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing top-tier aviation education,” said Matthew Johnston, president of CAU. “These new aircraft will help elevate our flight training degree programs, ensuring our students receive the best possible learning experience and preparing them for successful careers in the aviation industry.”

• READ MORE: Cessna 172 Skyhawk Avionics

According to school officials, the aircraft will be utilized at their locations in Bakersfield, San Diego, and Ventura, California, as well as in Mesa, Arizona.

The new aircraft will add to CAU’s current fleet of Skyhawks and Beechcraft Barons. School officials say the flight program continues to grow, and the aircraft are necessary to help maintain an “optimal student-to-aircraft ratio at the university.”

Backbone of Training Fleet

Designed in the 1950s, the Cessna Skyhawk, also known as the C-172, has been the backbone of the training fleet for more than 60 years. It’s difficult, almost impossible, to find a pilot who hasn’t logged time in a Skyhawk. The design began with a round-dial panel, manual flaps, and straight tail. Today it features the shark-fin tail and a full-glass panel sporting Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with wireless connectivity, standard angle-of-attack display system, and proven dependability. The aircraft is equipped with a McCauley aluminum fixed-pitch propeller and a 180 hp Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine.

• READ MORE: ATP Flight School to Add 40 Cessna Skyhawks to Training Fleet

According to Textron, more than 45,000 Skyhawks have been delivered around the world.

“For more than six decades, the Skyhawk has been at the forefront of innovation, empowering aspiring pilots and setting new standards in flight training,” said Chris Crow, vice president of Textron Aviation piston sales. “We are delighted to continue inspiring the journey of flight by providing California Aeronautical University students access to the most-produced, single-engine aircraft globally.”

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A release from the Texas Department of Public Safety states the airplane—a 2023 Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP (N23107)—was stolen from ATP Flight School at Addison Airport (KADS), located just north of downtown Dallas, by Logan Timothy James, 23, from Stokesdale, North Carolina. James was alone in the airplane.

The FAA pilot database shows James was issued a first-class medical certificate in May and held a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating issued in December.

According to Aviation Safety Network, the airplane took off from KADS around 7.p.m. CST.  The aircraft’s ADS-B track shows that it then headed east, turned north over Sulphur Springs, Texas, then turned again heading northwest toward Paris, Texas. The aircraft then entered a steep dive, with the ADS-B showing a descent of 4,736 fpm. It impacted the ground in an open field 9 miles northeast of Telephone, Texas, around 8 p.m.

The recording of James’ last conversation with Addison tower has gone viral.

“Addison Tower, Career Track 655 is actually going to depart to the east—uh, I’m climbing up through the clouds and then just gonna head out outside of everything. And about right now you’ll probably realize that I’m not gonna listen to y’alls instructions, and I’m heading to East Texas, and I’m Career Track, so, uh, I’m gonna pull the Comm 1 circuit breaker and Comm 2 circuit breaker right as soon as I un-key the mic.”

The tower controller calls Career Track 655, asking “Say again?” But there was no reply.

Authorities stated James left a suicide note at a residence in Dallas.

FLYING reached out to ATP Flight School in Addison but did not receive a reply. Additionally, the webpage for ATP Addison has been removed, and FlightAware.com notes the aircraft is not available for public tracking per request from the owner/operator ATP Aircraft LLC.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating.

FLYING offers the following resource for those who seek support from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

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Today’s Top Pick is a 1968 Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

Cessna’s 172 Skyhawk is a legend among trainers, having taught more people to fly than any other single airframe. It evolved from the Cessna 170, a 1940s taildragger that was already easy to fly but perceived as tricky to land because of its conventional (for the time) landing gear. Engineers and designers fitted a nosewheel, reshaped the surfaces to make them more angular and modern, and rolled out the new model in 1956. While it never was possible to land the 172 well by “driving” it onto the runway, it was easier to land than a tailwheel aircraft.

More than excelling as a trainer, though, the 172 offered enough power, comfort, and stability to serve as a personal airplane capable of logging business trips and carrying a small family to vacation destinations. When introduced, the 172 set a higher standard for entry-level general aviation aircraft. The airplane for sale here still represents one of the most approachable routes to aircraft ownership.

This 1968 172 Skyhawk has 4,312 hours on the airframe, 1,500 hours on the engine since overhaul, and a basic VFR instrument panel with only an AV-30 ADI standing out as modern equipment from the current decade.

Pilots looking for a straightforward, economical VFR traveler that is more practical than fabric-covered vintage models should consider this 1968 Cessna 172 Skyhawk, which is available for $89,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

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The companies said the aircraft will add to ATP’s existing training fleet of nearly 225 Skyhawks, which are deployed at more than 85 training facilities across the U.S. The arrival of the new aircraft will help ATP maintain a modern fleet with up-to-date equipment.

• READ MORE: 20,000th Airline Transport Pilot Graduates from ATP Flight School

The recent agreement marks the fourth fleet purchase by ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program in just over a year, totaling 135 Skyhawks. The purchases reflect the company’s long-term plans to build the capacity to train 20,000 airline pilots by 2030.

“For over six decades, the legendary Cessna Skyhawk has inspired the next generation of pilots and served as the world’s leading flight trainer,” said Chris Crow, Textron’s vice president of piston aircraft sales. “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ATP and provide their students access to the most produced single-engine aircraft globally.”

• READ MORE: Textron Makes Big Sale to ATP Flight School

The Cessna Skyhawk’s design dates to 1955, and since then it has become a staple training aircraft. ATP said the current Skyhawk’s forgiving flight characteristics, reliability, and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics have made it the company’s “trusted training platform” for the past three decades. 

“With already one of the youngest, most modern fleets at scale, the firm orders for 135 Skyhawks are for direct fleet growth, not replacement,” said Michael Arnold, ATP’s vice president of marketing. “Over the next three years, ATP will be expanding its Cessna fleet by 60 percent and delivering over 40 new state-of-art planes to ATP students each year through 2026.”

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The companies said the deal, struck at the Dubai Airshow, is a significant addition to BAA’s training fleet. With the new aircraft, BAA will be able to offer students increased capacity and a more streamlined flight training process. 

• READ MORE: ATP Inks Deal for 40 Cessna Skyhawks

The Cessna Skyhawk, designed and built by Textron Aviation, is recognized as a top trainer and represents the most popular single-engine aircraft in history with more than 45,000 delivered around the world since its first flight in 1955. 

“For over six decades, the Cessna Skyhawk has inspired the next generation of pilots and served as the world’s leading flight trainer,” said Chris Crow, vice president of piston sales for Textron. “We are delighted to continue the relationship with BAA Training to provide their students access to the most produced single-engine aircraft globally.”

The latest Skyhawk is known for stable flight characteristics and advanced avionics, along with dispatch reliability that makes it a particularly effective and dependable training platform. The new airplanes to be delivered to BAA feature the 180 hp Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine, Garmin G1000 NXi avionics with wireless connectivity,  standard angle-of-attack display, and McCauley fixed-pitch aluminum propeller. 

• READ MORE: Textron To Deliver 15 Cessna Skyhawks to Epic Flight Academy

“BAA Training has set an ambitious milestone to achieve a capacity of up to 1,000 students per year, necessitating a significant expansion of our fleet,” said Marijus Ravoitis, CEO of BAA Training. “We are glad to finalize this order, as the addition of 48 Cessna Skyhawks will bolster our resources, enabling us to accommodate the growing demand for training and further solidify our position in the industry.”   

BAA Training offers comprehensive aviation training solutions for aspiring commercial pilots, from initial training to type ratings. The company has operations in several locations, including Spain, Lithuania, France, and Vietnam.

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Today’s Top Pick is a 1968 Cessna 177 Cardinal

It may be hard to believe, but there was a time in the 1960s when Cessna felt its venerable 172 Skyhawk had run its course and needed replacement. Designers and engineers seemingly had a field day coming up with improvements to make the successor model, the 177 Cardinal, an even bigger hit than its predecessor.

The Cardinal looked like a winner, with sleeker, more modern lines, no wing struts, and full-flying stabilator. Owners loved its large, wide-opening doors and the way its windshield stretched far forward ahead of the wing to improve visibility. For many reasons and to the surprise of Cessna officials, customers continued to favor the 172. After several years of production, Cessna discontinued the Cardinal, but the aircraft has enjoyed a loyal following ever since.

This Cardinal has 7,134 hours on the airframe and 250 hours on its Lycoming O-320 engine since overhaul. The panel includes a Garmin GTN 345, GTX 335, dual G5s, King KX155, and EDM 930 engine monitor. The aircraft was last painted in 1986 and received a new interior in 2021.

Pilots in the market for an economical, utilitarian aircraft with better looks than many of its competitors in the category should look into this 1968 Cessna 177 Cardinal, which is available for $135,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

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Today’s Top Pick is a 1963 Cessna 172C Skyhawk

Cessna’s long-running 172 model line introduced new features and capabilities when it was new and continued to develop for decades, regularly upgrading its airframe, interior, controls, engines, and avionics. It became the go-to training aircraft for many flight schools and remains a staple of airport ramps across the United States and around the world.

This 1963 model has many of the qualities pilots seek when shopping for an airplane. The forgiving flight characteristics, predictable handling, and comfortable cabin that make it a popular trainer also add to its value as personal transportation. Unlike many two-seat trainers designed around the instructor and student, this aircraft gives its owner the flexibility to carry more people and baggage.

This Skyhawk has 2,550 hours on the airframe and 97 hours on its Continental O-300C 6-cylinder engine. Panel upgrades include a Garmin 430 GPS navigation system. The exterior received new paint in 1985 and the interior was refurbished in 1990.

If you are in the market for a gentle-flying, capable family aircraft that looks sharp and has vintage appeal, consider this 1963 Cessna Skyhawk, which is available for $105,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Financial Group. For more information, email info@flyingfinancial.com.

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Recently, Roland Vegiard and I embarked on a charitable trip in support of Pilots ‘n Paws relocating some sheltered animals for the Bradford County Humane Society from Towanda, Pennsylvania, to Asheville, North Carolina. 

We volunteered to take two dogs, brothers Denver and Dakota, down to Asheville and return with nine puppies. With the help of Bob Heinrich of Heinrich Aviation at the Bradford County Airport (N27), we loaded up and launched off for Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) with a fuel stop at West Virginia International Yeager Airport (KCRW) in Charleston. 

• READ MORE: Rescue a Pet, Build the Connection

Arriving at Asheville we were met by Natasha Kush and her team who handles pet relocations there. We loaded up nine of the cutest puppies you could ever hope to meet and headed back to Charleston for another fuel supply and then back to Towanda.

Roland and I were cruising VFR at 9,500 feet msl working with TriCities Approach over southern Virginia when suddenly things got extremely quiet. Not the radio…the engine!

We completely lost engine power. As there were only 60 or so hours on this zero-time rebuild engine, it was instantly one of those WTF moments when Roland and I looked at each other in disbelief and immediately began to go through the standard emergency procedures trying to troubleshoot the situation. We advised ATC of our situation and, thanks to the updated GPS and moving map displays, glided our way without any further difficulty into the Virginia Highlands Airport (KVJI) at Abingdon, Virginia. 

The staff at KVJI couldn’t have been nicer and more accommodating even summoning Washington County Sheriff’s deputies Sgt. Alexander and Dep. Blalock of their Animal Control Division, who arrived with pet food, water bowls, and makeshift leashes to make sure that our nine “passengers” were watered, fed, and given the opportunity to visit the grassy areas on the airport. 

I simply cannot thank these folks enough for their hospitality, time, and assistance. We were able to rent a minivan from the local Avis car rental service and then embarked on the more than nine hour drive back to Pennsylvania. All of these great people will forever be in my debt and gratitude. 

Roland and I use trips such as this to better hone my IFR skills and become more proficient with the Garmin glass panel suite that I had installed last year in my airplane.

It was almost comical when this happened. It was like a robot took over both Roland and me at the very same instant. Roland was flying this leg from KAVL to KCRW while I was working the radio and pretty much monitoring the Garmin 3X Touch. As soon as we recognized from the multifunction display that the engine stopped producing power and oil pressure was at zero, Roland instantly went to the best glide speed while I went through the mixture, carb heat, mags, and fuel selector tasks.

Fortunately, KVJI was visible through a thin cloud layer at 9,000 feet, about 10 miles away, and we headed directly there to circle over the pattern. I think that the comical part was Roland kept the landing roll-out speed pretty brisk, making it possible to make the turn off of the runway onto the taxiway and then on to the ramp rolling right up to the front door of the FBO. We later joked that the late Bob Hoover would’ve been proud by this ‘conservation of energy’ display.

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Now Textron Aviation, a unit of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), is raising the standard by introducing a range of interior upgrades to its lineup of Cessna high-wing piston models, including the Skyhawk, Skylane, Turbo Skylane, and Turbo Stationair HD.

• READ MORE: Top 5 Things We Look Forward to at Oshkosh

Beginning next year, Cessna will roll out a range of new designs and high-tech standard features, including updated instrument panels and more modern, comfortable seats. New exterior paint schemes will accompany the redesigned interiors, Cessna said.

“When designing the next interior for the iconic aircraft family, it was important that we include feedback from customers and fans.” said Christi Tannahill, Textron’s senior vice president for customer experience. “The result is a more modern, sporty feel that aligns with our family of Cessna Citation jets for the best aviation experience.”

Changes to the Cessna interiors include small details like the design of door locks, air vents, power headset jacks, and charging ports at every seat with USB A and C compatibility.

“Cessna pistons inspire the journey of flight,” said Chris Crow, vice president of Textron’s piston sales. “If you’re a pilot, odds are that you learned how to fly in a Skyhawk. This investment demonstrates Textron Aviation’s continued enthusiasm for our piston aircraft lineup, and we are thrilled to see these aircraft continue to support pilots worldwide in their training ambitions or mapping their next adventure.”

The company will display a Skyhawk with the new interior design during this week’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

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