Cessna 175 Skylark

Last updated

175 Skylark
Cessna.175c.g-arws.arp.jpg
Cessna 175A Skylark
General information
TypeLight utility aircraft
Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Number built2,106
History
Manufactured1958–1962
Introduction date1958
First flightApril 23, 1956
Developed from Cessna 172
Variants Cessna T-41 Mescalero

The Cessna 175 is a light four-seat, single-engine, fixed wing aircraft produced by Cessna between 1958 and 1962. A deluxe model known as the Skylark was introduced in 1960. The aircraft is similar to the popular Cessna 172 but has higher gross weight and a more powerful engine with a geared reduction drive.

Contents

Declining sales stemming from reputedly poor engine reliability prompted Cessna to drop the 175 and Skylark nameplates, but the company continued to produce aircraft based on the 175 for several decades, selling them as variants of the 172 and as a military trainer aircraft, the T-41 Mescalero.

Production history

The 175 was designed to fill a niche between the Cessna 172 and the slightly heavier, larger and faster Cessna 182. The engine of the 175, a reduction drive or geared version of the O-300 (Continental GO-300) used in the 172, is rated at 175 hp (130 kW), or 30 hp (22 kW) more than the engine offered in the contemporary 172. Between 1958 and 1962, a total of 2,106 were built. The basic airplane was marketed as the 175, and the plane with a package of optional equipment and overall paint (a partial paint scheme was used on the basic model) was marketed as the Skylark.

Design

The airframe of the 175 is all metal, constructed of aluminum alloy. The fuselage is a semi-monocoque structure, with exterior skin sheets riveted to formers and longerons. The strut-braced high wings are constructed of exterior skins riveted to spars and ribs. The 175 has fixed landing gear in a tricycle arrangement, with main gear legs made of spring steel, and a steerable nosewheel connected through an oleo strut for shock absorption.

While it incorporates airframe changes to accommodate an increased gross weight, the 175 is similar in appearance to the 172 of the same vintage. The most noticeable difference is the distinctive hump in the forward cowling of later series airplanes to accommodate the engine's reduction gear. Although externally identical to the 172 with most parts aft of the firewall being interchangeable, the 175 was built to a different type certificate. [1] The P172D and R172 series (including the T-41B/C/D Mescalero) share the 175 type certificate, along with the 172RG, [2] the retractable landing gear version of the 172.

The GO-300 engine

An unusual feature of the 175 is the geared GO-300 engine. Whereas most single-engine airplanes use direct drive, this engine drives the propeller through a reduction drive, so the engine runs at 3200 rpm to turn the propeller at 2400 rpm (4:3). The GO-300 engine suffered reliability problems and helped give the 175 a poor reputation. Some Skylarks flying today have been converted to larger-displacement direct-drive engines [3] [4] though almost 90% still retain the GO-300. [5]

The GO-300's tainted reputation is largely undeserved, since its problems were the result of pilots who were unfamiliar with gear reduction engines, simply not operating the engine at the higher RPMs specified in the C-175 Pilot's Operating Handbook. Pilots unfamiliar with the engine often operate the engine at the low RPM settings (2300–2700) appropriate to direct-drive engines, while the 175's Operating Handbook calls for cruising at 2900 RPM. The low RPM causes harmonic vibration in the reduction gear between the quill shaft (that turned the propeller) and crankshaft, and the low power results in low airspeeds that prevents the engine's air-cooling system from operating effectively, resulting in chronic reliability problems for engines not operated at the recommended power settings. [3]

Variants

Cessna has historically used model years similar to U.S. auto manufacturers, with sales of new models typically starting a few months prior to the actual calendar year.

175
Introduced for the 1958 model year with a geared 175 hp (130 kW) Continental GO-300-A or -300-C engine with a shock-mounted cowling. Other differences from the 172 include a one-piece "Sight-Sweep" windshield and a gross weight of 2,350 lb (1,066 kg). Standard equipment included adjustable front seats, electric gauges, panel-mounted fuel drain control, safety-designed control wheels, and stainless steel mufflers. Optional wheel fairings were also available. The 1959 model year introduced new control wheels and was available in seven paint schemes (up from four in 1958), but was otherwise identical to the previous model year. Certified 14 January 1958. 702 (1958) and 536 (1959) built. [2] [6]
Cessna 175A Skylark at Rockcliffe Airport, Ontario, 2004 Cessna175ASkylark02.jpg
Cessna 175A Skylark at Rockcliffe Airport, Ontario, 2004
175A
1960 model year with a redesigned swept tail, a 175 hp (130 kW) Continental GO-300-A, -300-C, or -300-D engine, an external baggage door, and reduced nose geat oleo strut travel. This model was approved for seaplane operations with a gross weight of 2,450 lb (1,111 kg). A deluxe model was introduced under the name Slylark with a higher empty weight, full exterior paint, a refined interior, and wheel fairings as standard. Certified 28 August 1959. 540 built. [2] [6]
175B
1961 model year with an electric starter, a "Blend-Temp" ventilation system, "Polycloud" seat lining, and optional reclining front seats. The deluxe Skylark also featured an engine-driven vacuum system for the gyroscopic flight instruments. Like the 175A, the 175B was approved for seaplane operations. Certified 14 June 1960. 225 built. [2] [6]
175C Skylark
1962 model year with a 175 hp (130 kW) Continental GO-300-A or -300-E engine, new wingtip fairings with position lights, a revised cowling with cowl flaps, a dual-beam landing/taxi light on the left wing, a new two-bladed constant-speed propeller, and gross weight increased to 2,450 lb (1,111 kg). The baseline model was dropped for this model year, therefore all 175Cs carried the "Skylark" name. Certified 18 September 1961. 117 built. [2] [6] This was the last model to carry the model number 175, though future variants of the same type certificate were marketed as variants of the Cessna 172. [6]

Specifications (Cessna 175C)

3-view line drawing of the Cessna 175 Cessna 175 3-view line drawing.png
3-view line drawing of the Cessna 175

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962–63 [7]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piper PA-28 Cherokee</span> Family of light single engine aircraft

The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a family of two-seat or four-seat light aircraft built by Piper Aircraft and designed for flight training, air taxi and personal use. The PA-28 family of aircraft comprises all-metal, unpressurized, single piston-engined airplanes with low-mounted wings and tricycle landing gear. They have a single door on the right side, which is entered by stepping on the wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 172</span> Propeller driven single engine aircraft

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft. It was developed from the 1948 Cessna 170 but with tricycle landing gear rather than conventional landing gear. The Skyhawk name was originally used for a trim package, but was later applied to all standard-production 172 aircraft, while some upgraded versions were marketed as the Cutlass, Powermatic, and Hawk XP. The aircraft was also produced under license in France by Reims Aviation, which marketed upgraded versions as the Reims Rocket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 170</span> United States of America light aircraft

The Cessna 170 is an American single-engine, four seat, general aviation aircraft produced by the Cessna Aircraft Company between 1948 and 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thielert Centurion</span> Series of Diesel cycle aircraft engines for general aviation

The Thielert Centurion is a series of diesel cycle aircraft engines for general aviation originally built by Thielert, which was bought by Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Tecnify Motors subsidiary and is currently marketed by Continental Motors. They are based on heavily modified Mercedes-Benz automotive engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 182 Skylane</span> American light aircraft

The Cessna 182 Skylane is an American four-seat, single-engined light airplane built by Cessna of Wichita, Kansas. It has the option of adding two child seats in the baggage area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 180 Skywagon</span> American light aircraft

The Cessna 180 Skywagon is a four- or six-seat, fixed conventional gear general aviation airplane which was produced between 1953 and 1981. Though the design is no longer in production, many of these aircraft are still in use as personal aircraft and in utility roles such as bush flying.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 206</span> American light aircraft

The Cessna 205, 206 and 207, known primarily as the Stationair, are a family of single-engined, general aviation aircraft with fixed landing gear, used in commercial air service as well as for personal use. The family was originally developed from the popular retractable-gear Cessna 210 and produced by the Cessna Aircraft Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beechcraft Musketeer</span> Family of light single engine aircraft

The Beechcraft Musketeer is a family of single-engined, low-wing, light aircraft that was produced by Beechcraft. The line includes the Model 19 Musketeer Sport, the Model 23 Musketeer, Custom and Sundowner, the Model 23-24 Musketeer Super III the retractable gear Model 24R Sierra and the military CT-134 Musketeer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hispano-Suiza 8</span> V-8 piston aircraft engine

The Hispano-Suiza 8 is a water-cooled V8 SOHC aero engine introduced by Hispano-Suiza in 1914 that went on to become the most commonly used liquid-cooled engine in the aircraft of the Entente Powers during the First World War. The original Hispano-Suiza 8A was rated at 140 hp (100 kW) and the later, larger displacement Hispano-Suiza 8F reached 330 hp (250 kW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Continental O-300</span> American piston aircraft engine

The Continental O-300 and the C145 are a family of air-cooled flat-6 aircraft piston engines built by Teledyne Continental Motors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wren 460</span> American STOL aircraft

The Wren 460 is a STOL conversion of a Cessna 180 or 182 airframe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 177 Cardinal</span> American light aircraft

The Cessna 177 Cardinal is a light single-engine, high-wing general aviation aircraft produced by Cessna. It was intended to replace the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. First announced in 1967, it was produced from 1968 to 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 185 Skywagon</span> American light aircraft

The Cessna 185 Skywagon is a six-seat, single-engined, general aviation light aircraft manufactured by Cessna. It first flew as a prototype in July 1960, with the first production model completed in March 1961. The Cessna 185 is a high-winged aircraft with non-retractable conventional landing gear and a tailwheel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 421 Golden Eagle</span> Pressurized twin-engine general aviation aircraft

The Cessna 421 Golden Eagle is an American six or seven seat twin-engined light transport aircraft, developed in the 1960s by Cessna as a pressurized version of the earlier Cessna 411.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 195</span> American light single radial engine aircraft

The Cessna 190 and 195 Businessliner are a family of light single radial engine powered, conventional landing gear equipped, general aviation aircraft which were manufactured by Cessna between 1947 and 1954.

The Fletcher FL-23 was an American two-seat liaison or observation aircraft designed and built by the California-based Fletcher Aviation Corporation. It was entered into a competition and lost against the Cessna 305A as a liaison or observation aircraft for the United States Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Continental O-470</span> 6-cylinder air-cooled aircraft engine

The Continental O-470 engine is a family of carbureted and fuel-injected six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engines that was developed especially for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors. Engines designated "IO" are fuel-injected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lycoming O-435</span> American 1940s aircraft engine

The Lycoming O-435 is an American six-cylinder, horizontally opposed fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter engine made by Lycoming Engines. The engine is a six-cylinder version of the four-cylinder Lycoming O-290.

The Franklin O-300 was an American air-cooled aircraft engine of the early 1940s. The engine was of six-cylinder, horizontally-opposed layout and displaced 300 cu in (5 L). The power output ranged between 130 hp (97 kW) and 175 hp (130 kW) depending on variant. The 6ACG-298 featured a geared propeller drive.

The McDonnell 120 Flying Crane, also V-1 Jeep, was a lightweight utility flying crane helicopter designed and built by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation during the 1950s. The open frame fuselage supported the three gas-producers and main rotor mast, with a small single-seat cockpit in the nose, which was originally open, but later enclosed.

References

  1. Model 172 & 175 Series Parts Catalog (1956–1962) January 22, 1995 Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita Kansas USA
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Federal Aviation Administration (May 2007). "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. 3A17 Revision 46" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 8, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Perdue, Scott (January 28, 2016). "A Lark That Won't Quit". Plane & Pilot. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  4. Christy, Joe: Engines for Homebuilt Aircraft & Ultralights, pages 60–63. TAB Books, 1983. ISBN   0-8306-2347-7
  5. Of the 1382 Cessna 175's listed in the FAA's civil aircraft database, 1226 (89%) list a GO-300 series engine as of January 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Phillips, Edward H: Wings of Cessna, Model 120 to the Citation III, Flying Books, 1986. ISBN   0911139052
  7. Taylor 1962, pp. 193–194