Cessna 177 Cardinal

The Cessna 177 Cardinal is a single‑engine, four‑seat light aircraft that entered production in 1977 as Cessna’s answer to the aging Cessna 172 series. Developed under the internal project name “Cardinal”, the model featured a fully cantilevered wing with a distinctive tapered planform and a redesigned, all‑metal airframe that reduced drag and improved handling. Powered initially by a 150‑hp Continental O‑300 engine, later variants received the more efficient Lycoming O‑360, boosting cruise speeds to 140 knots while retaining modest fuel consumption. The 177 introduced several ergonomic improvements, such as a wider cabin, larger windows, and a simple, one‑lever landing‑gear control that enhanced pilot comfort and training suitability. Production continued until 1986, with approximately 5,200 units built, and the design was later refined into the Cessna 182RG and the modern Skyhawk lineage.

The Cardinal’s significance lies in its contribution to the evolution of general‑aviation aircraft in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Its advanced aerodynamics and modern cockpit set new standards for performance and reliability, helping Cessna maintain market leadership and influencing subsequent light‑airplane designs worldwide. Today, many Cardinals remain active in flight schools, private clubs, and charter operations, demonstrating the type’s lasting durability and appeal.

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