Cessna 172 Skyhawk SP for Sale

€395,000

Available now: 2001 Citation Bravo — $2,300,000

Aircraft Specifications

Asking Price
€395,000
Model
172S Skyhawk SP
Airframe
1,196 hrs
Engines
1 × Lycoming IO-360-L2A
Engine time
1,196 hrs total time; propeller 680 hrs total time
Paint
Exterior rated 8/10 by the seller
Seats
4

Avionics

Description

This Cessna 172 Skyhawk SP is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft offered at an asking price of €395,000. The airframe has 1,196 hours total time. The Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine also shows 1,196 hours total time, and the 1A170E/JHA7660 propeller shows 680 hours total time.

The flight deck is a Garmin G1000 with WAAS, paired with a Garmin GMA 1347 audio panel, DME, ADF and a Mode S transponder. WAAS capability allows the G1000 to fly GPS approaches with vertical guidance where they are published, which is a meaningful advantage for instrument training and IFR flying. The DME and ADF receivers keep the aircraft useful in training environments where those systems are still taught and tested.

The seller rates both interior and exterior at 8/10.

The Skyhawk SP (172S) is the 180 hp version of the Cessna 172, the most produced aircraft in history. It is a high-wing, fixed-gear airplane known for stable handling, simple systems and broad maintenance support, used by flight schools and private owners worldwide.

Year of manufacture, serial number, registration, location, autopilot fit and current inspection status are not in the listing and are available on request. The year in particular should be confirmed before any offer, as it determines how the price and the engine's calendar status should be read.

Consultant's Notes

The short version

This Cessna 172 Skyhawk SP for sale has 1,196 hours total time on the airframe, a Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine with 1,196 hours total time, and a 1A170E/JHA7660 propeller with 680 hours total time. The flight deck is a Garmin G1000 with WAAS, a Garmin GMA 1347 audio panel, DME, ADF and a Mode S transponder. The seller rates interior and exterior at 8/10. The asking price is €395,000. The listing does not give the year of manufacture, serial number, registration, location or inspection status; all are available on request, and the year in particular needs to be confirmed before an offer makes sense.

What the Skyhawk SP is, and who it suits

The Cessna 172 is the most produced aircraft in history, and the Skyhawk SP (model 172S) is its 180 hp version. It is a four-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear airplane with a fuel-injected Lycoming IO-360-L2A, simple systems and handling that is stable and predictable. Parts, mechanics and instructors who know it are available almost everywhere.

The 172S with a G1000 is a standard choice for flight schools that teach instrument flying on glass, for clubs that want an aircraft any member can fly, and for private owners who want a dependable four-seater for local trips and moderate cross-countries.

It is not a fast airplane, and it is not built for heavy loads. If you need speed or retractable-gear performance, look at other types. If you want a dependable, well-supported airplane that holds its value and is easy to insure and maintain, the Skyhawk SP is one of the safest choices in general aviation. It is better to say that here than to let a test flight say it for you.

The 172S also benefits from a large market of buyers and sellers, which makes it easier to compare prices and to sell again later. That liquidity is part of what you pay for, and it is a fair reason to prefer a well-documented Skyhawk over a rarer type with similar numbers.

Cessna 172 Skyhawk SP for sale with 1,196 hours: reading the numbers

1,196 hours is moderate time for a 172S. The engine shows the same 1,196 hours total time as the airframe, which indicates it is the original factory engine and has not yet been overhauled. The listing does not state the year of manufacture, and that matters more than usual here.

Why the year matters:

- Engine calendar status. Lycoming publishes calendar-based overhaul recommendations alongside hour-based ones, and the hour-based interval commonly quoted for this engine is 2,000 hours. At 1,196 hours, the hour side looks comfortable. The calendar side depends entirely on when the engine left the factory. - Utilisation. 1,196 hours over five years and 1,196 hours over fifteen years tell very different stories about how the airplane was used and stored. - Price. At €395,000, this is priced as a relatively recent airplane. Whether that is fair depends on the year, and on how it compares with other 172S aircraft of the same age and specification.

Ask for the serial number. It identifies the year and the exact factory configuration.

The propeller: why 680 hours

The propeller shows 680 hours total time against 1,196 on the airframe and engine. That means it has been replaced or exchanged at some point, roughly 516 hours into the airplane's life if the numbers are exact. There can be ordinary reasons for this: a planned replacement, a swap during maintenance, or a fleet operator's practice. There can also be a reason linked to an incident, such as a ground strike. The listing does not say, and we are not going to guess.

What to ask: when and why the propeller was changed, and whether the engine received any inspection at that time. If a propeller strike was involved, the engine manufacturer's guidance on inspection after a strike applies, and the paperwork should show it was followed. If the reason was routine, the logbook entry will say so.

Avionics: G1000 WAAS, GMA 1347, DME, ADF

The flight deck is a Garmin G1000 with WAAS. WAAS allows GPS approaches with vertical guidance where they are published, which matters for instrument training and IFR flying. The Garmin GMA 1347 is the audio panel designed for the G1000. DME and ADF are listed alongside, which suggests an airplane specified with instrument training in mind, since those receivers still appear in some training syllabi and checkrides.

A Mode S transponder is listed without the model. Whether it provides ADS-B Out depends on the unit and installation; confirm this against the rules where you plan to fly.

Two things the listing does not mention, and that you should ask about:

- Autopilot. Many G1000 Skyhawks carry the Garmin GFC 700 or an earlier autopilot. For an IFR owner, it matters. - G1000 or G1000 NXi. The listing says G1000 WAAS. Confirm the exact version and software level, and the database subscription status.

Interior and exterior

The seller rates both interior and exterior at 8/10. A seller's rating is a useful starting point, but it is not an inspection. An 8/10 typically means presentable with signs of use. Ask for recent detailed photos of the seats, headliner, panel and paint, especially leading edges and around the doors. If you plan to use the aircraft for training, interior wear is less important than mechanical condition; if it is for private use, factor any refurbishment into your offer.

What to verify before you commit

These are normal checks for a 172S. A serious seller will expect them.

- Year and serial number. Not in the listing. Confirm both first. - Registration and location. Not in the listing. Ask for both, and factor in any change of registry. - Propeller history. The reason for the propeller change, with logbook entries. - Engine calendar status. Date of manufacture of the engine against Lycoming's calendar recommendations; recent compressions and oil analysis if available. - Inspection status. The listing does not state it. Ask for the last annual or 100-hour inspection and, in Europe, the current ARC. - Damage history. Not mentioned. Ask for a written statement. - Avionics. Autopilot, G1000 version, transponder model and ADS-B status. - Logbooks. Complete airframe, engine and propeller logbooks since new. - Pre-purchase inspection. By a shop that knows the 172S and the G1000, with a test flight.

How to think about the price

€395,000 is a serious number for a used Skyhawk. A buyer will reasonably compare it with the cost of a newer airplane and with other 172S aircraft on the market. The right way to read it is against airplanes of the same year, the same avionics fit, similar hours and similar condition. Until the year is confirmed, that comparison cannot be made properly. Once it is, the price can be judged on facts rather than on impressions, which is the only basis on which we would advise anyone to make an offer.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours does this Cessna 172 Skyhawk SP have? The airframe and the Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine both have 1,196 hours total time. The propeller has 680 hours total time.

What year is it? The year of manufacture is not in the listing. It is available on request and should be confirmed with the serial number.

What avionics are installed? A Garmin G1000 with WAAS, a Garmin GMA 1347 audio panel, DME, ADF and a Mode S transponder. Autopilot fit is not stated.

Has the engine been overhauled? The engine shows the same total time as the airframe, which indicates it has not been overhauled. Confirm with the engine logbook.

Why does the propeller have fewer hours than the engine? The propeller was replaced or exchanged at some point. The listing does not say why; ask for the logbook entry.

What condition is it in? The seller rates interior and exterior at 8/10. Ask for recent photos and arrange a viewing or inspection.

What is the asking price? €395,000.