Cessna 172 Skyhawk financing, specs & price
Most-produced aircraft, highly reliable. Built 1956-present; Continental O-300 (145 hp, 1956–1967) or Lycoming O-320/O-360 (150–180 hp, 1968+); 4 seats; 122-knot cruise.
What a 172 Skyhawk costs to finance
Payment examples at three price points, using typical lender guidelines for single-engine aircraft and a 7.75% illustrative APR. Your rate depends on credit, loan size, term and the specific airplane.
| Example | Price | Down | Loan | Term | Payment @ 7.75% | Range @ 6.99–9.99% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Older / higher-time | $45,000 | 15% ($6,750) | $38,250 | 15 yrs | $360/mo | $344–$411 |
| Mid-market (most common) | $125,000 | 15% ($18,750) | $106,250 | 20 yrs | $872/mo | $823–$1,025 |
| Late / low-time | $250,000 | 15% ($37,500) | $212,500 | 20 yrs | $1,745/mo | $1,646–$2,049 |
Principal and interest only; excludes insurance, taxes and fees. Prices are typical asking ranges from our aircraft database — verify any specific airplane with Vref or Aircraft Bluebook and a pre-buy inspection. Not a quote or commitment to lend.
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172 Skyhawk specifications & operating economics
Performance & capacity
- Engine
- Continental O-300 (145 hp, 1956–1967) or Lycoming O-320/O-360 (150–180 hp, 1968+)
- Production
- 1956-present
- Seats
- 4
- Cruise
- 122 kts
- Range
- 640 NM
- Fuel capacity
- 53 gal
Fuel economics (September 2026)
- Fuel burn
- 8.5 gph
- Fuel cost per hour
- $62
- Fuel cost per nautical mile
- $0.50
- Endurance (no reserve)
- 6.2 hrs
- Fuel for 100 hrs/yr
- $6,154
100LL at $7.24/gal (AirNav national average, September 2026).
What lenders and underwriters look at on a 172 Skyhawk
- Wide price range—early models vs. G1000 glass
- SMOH and engine variant matter (160 vs 180 hp)
- Avionics upgrades significantly affect value
- Check for damage history and gear-up incidents
Pre-buy inspection focus areas
- Spar carry-through corrosion (pre-1970s)
- Wing strut AD compliance
- Carburetor icing incidents
- Firewall condition
- Fuel bladder leaks (if equipped)
Pre-buy inspections are typically paid out of pocket, not financed. See the pre-buy checklist.
Buying and owning a 172 Skyhawk
- Buyer & Upgrade GuidesCessna 172 to 182 Upgrade: Endorsement, Insurance and Financing the Step
- Buyer & Upgrade GuidesCessna 172 to Piper Seminole: Multi-Engine Rating, Complex Endorsement, First-Twin Insurance and Financing the Step
- Buyer & Upgrade GuidesCessna 172 to Tecnam P2012: Is an 11-Seat Commuter Twin a Realistic Step for a Skyhawk Owner?
- Buyer & Upgrade GuidesCessna 172 Buyer's Guide: Is a Skyhawk the Right First Airplane?
- Cost of OwnershipCessna 172 Cost of Ownership: Skyhawk Annual Budget, 2026 Insurance Data and Financing
Cessna 172 Skyhawk financing FAQs
How much does a Cessna 172 Skyhawk cost?
Typical asking prices for a Cessna 172 Skyhawk run from about $45,000 for older or higher-time examples to $250,000 for late, low-time ones, with most trading near $125,000. Engine time, avionics, damage history and paint/interior drive the spread — confirm with a Vref or Aircraft Bluebook valuation and a pre-buy inspection.
What is the monthly payment on a Cessna 172 Skyhawk?
At a $125,000 purchase price with 15% down ($18,750), a $106,250 loan over 20 years is about $872 per month at 7.75% APR, or roughly $823–$1,025 across the 6.99%–9.99% range lenders published as of September 2026. Principal and interest only.
How much down payment do I need for a Cessna 172 Skyhawk?
Plan on at least 15% down for a single-engine aircraft built after 1960, and about 20% for examples built before 1960. Twenty-year terms are generally available on loans of $75,000 or more.
What does a Cessna 172 Skyhawk cost to fly per hour in fuel?
At about 8.5 gallons per hour and the September 2026 national average of $7.24 per gallon for 100LL, fuel alone is roughly $62 per hour, or about $0.50 per nautical mile at a 122-knot cruise. Add reserves, insurance, storage and the annual for the full picture.
Can I finance an older Cessna 172 Skyhawk?
Usually, yes. Lenders finance piston singles without a fixed age limit, though pre-1960 aircraft may need a larger down payment and shorter term, and airframes over 10,000 hours are often excluded. Complete logbooks, AD compliance and a clean pre-buy matter more than the year on an older 172 Skyhawk.
More Cessna aircraft
- Cessna 150 · ~$25,000
- Cessna 152 · ~$30,000
- Cessna 162 Skycatcher · ~$75,000
- Cessna 170B · ~$50,000
- Cessna 175 Skylark · ~$38,000
- Cessna 177 Cardinal · ~$65,000
- Cessna 180 Skywagon · ~$140,000
- Cessna 182 Skylane · ~$150,000
Similar price range
- Socata TB20 Trinidad · ~$125,000
- Cessna 210 Centurion · ~$130,000
- Piper PA-44 Seminole · ~$120,000
- Piper PA-31 Navajo · ~$130,000