Fleet file

Cessna 172 Skyhawk

The Skyhawk is the standard training aircraft for a reason: forgiving handling, deep parts/support ecosystem and universal instructor familiarity. It is the baseline trainer, not the differentiator.

Manufacturer
Textron Aviation
Primary role
Ab-initio training
Economics
Indicative AUD only
Why it fits

Reliable first aircraft for volume PPL/CPL training and local hire, with minimal explanation required to students or insurers.

Specifications

Seats / payload4 occupants; useful load approx. 878 lb
Range640 nm published max range
Cruise speed124 KTAS
Runway required960 ft ground roll; 1,630 ft takeoff distance
Engines1 x Lycoming IO-360-L2A

Indicative economics

acquisition NewIndicative AUD $650k-$800k planning band
acquisition UsedIndicative AUD $70k-$600k depending age/avionics
hourly Operating CostIndicative AUD $250-$950/hr depending school utilisation/accounting
notesFor school modelling, separate direct wet rate from all-in ownership cost.

Suitability

Ab-initio trainingPrivate hireInstructor pipeline

Sources