In News:

A Cessna C172 trainer aircraft carrying two people suffered damage after veering off the runway at Baramati airfield, Maharashtra. The incident is being investigated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

About Cessna C172

• The Cessna C172, also known as the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, is a four-seat, single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft manufactured by Cessna, an American general aviation aircraft manufacturer now part of Textron Aviation.
• Introduced in 1956, more than 44,000 Cessna 172 aircraft have been produced, making it one of the most widely produced aircraft in aviation history. It is primarily used for pilot training and private aviation and remains in production.

Key Features

• The C172 has a high-wing design, which provides good visibility for trainee pilots. Its design emphasisesstability, predictable handling and relatively simple controls, making it particularly suitable for flight training.
• It prioritises stability over speed, with a maximum cruise speed of around 124 knots. Its maximum range is approximately 640 nautical miles (nm).

Significance for Pilot Training

The aircraft is widely used for basic flight training, allowing student pilots to develop skills in take-off, landing, aircraft control, manoeuvring and safety procedures before progressing to more advanced aircraft.