The Cessna 172 Skyhawk and 182 Skylane Are 50 Years Old!

1956 was the year two of Cessna Aircraft Company's best selling tail draggers would be modified into two of the most heavily produced tricycle gear airplanes in the world.

"This year, Cessna's 172 Skyhawk and 182 Skylane mark their 50th anniversary and celebrate the production of more than 65,000 airplanes since 1956," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack J. Pelton.

"While the 172 and 182 have each had more than 250 modifications in their 50-year lifespan, the fundamentals of these legendary airplanes have remained the same - they are easy to fly, extremely safe, and dependable. This is why more young men and women in every country in the world have learned to fly in a Cessna than all other manufacturers' airplanes combined."

More than half a million people have learned to fly through Cessna's worldwide network of nearly 300 Cessna Pilot Centers since the concept was introduced more than 30 years ago.

"Cessna is dedicated to keeping flight education as one of its core values as we look out on the next 50 years," Pelton said. "This experience - from designing and building the world's favorite learn-to-fly airplanes to the first time a young person gets in one of our airplanes for their first flight - is indescribable. We are devoted to flight education, safety and efficiency, and we will embrace these aspects in every way as proceed into the future."

Cessna has delivered more than 150,000 single engine piston aircraft in its 79-year history.

FMI: www.cessna.com