Cessna Aircraft Company has just received a TC for its 172S Skyhawk equipped with the Garmin G1000. Following a flight evaluation program, which began on February 9, 2005, the aircraft's type certificate was presented during a ceremony at Cessna's Wichita, Kansas, facility. 

Certification for the 172R Skyhawk is expected next week.

"As the most prolific and safest single engine piston aircraft ever built, the 172 is without a doubt one of general aviation's favorite airplanes," said Cessna's Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. 

"Certifying this airplane with the all-glass, fully-integrated Garmin G1000 avionics is a testament to how far the industry has come and provides a glimpse into what the future holds. The G1000 has become the most requested avionics package for the 172, 182, and 206. We believe this is due to the enhanced safety and situational awareness it provides. Plus, it is an invaluable transition platform for those moving from a Cessna single engine piston aircraft into the Citation Mustang."

Cessna announced the Garmin G1000-equipped 172 at EAA Oshkosh in July 2004.

Cessna currently offers two versions of the Skyhawk G1000 avionics package: 172R Skyhawk GA and 172S Skyhawk SP with NAV III. The 172R Skyhawk GA is designed to address the operational requirements of the flight training market, as well as for those wanting the latest in glass cockpit technology and safety without the need for an autopilot or FIS XM/weather datalink. The 172S Skyhawk SP NAV III option incorporates nearly all of the same features as the NAV III G1000-equipped Skylanes and Stationairs, which were introduced with resounding success in late 2003.

"The Cessna 172 has had an incredibly loyal following for many, many years, and the availability of the G1000 integrated avionics system will only increase its popularity," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's director of marketing. "The G1000's integrated design, increased situational awareness, and ease of use makes the 172 even more enjoyable to fly."

Cessna originally certified the Model 172 in 1955 and built more than 36,000 over the next 31 years before discontinuing all single engine piston aircraft production in 1986.  Cessna re-entered the single engine piston aircraft market after the 1994 passage of the U.S. General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA). Production line flow of the first Cessna piston engine singles since 1986 commenced on July 10, 1996, and the first customer delivery took place in January 1997 - a 172R Skyhawk. Since that time, Cessna has delivered over 5,000 single engine piston aircraft. Of these, over 3,000 have been 172 Skyhawks.

FMI: www.textron.com, www.cessna.com, www.garmin.com