Originally Cessna’s Cardinal designers were given full authority to produce a modernized four-place design that would replace the Cessna 172. It was to be called the Cessna 172J. But after Cessna’s marketing department objected to doing away with the 172, it became an addition to the product lineup. In all, 1,366 Cessna Cardinals with retractable gear were manufactured, while 2,845 Cardinals were built with fixed gear, said Cardinal Flyers Online (CFO) President Keith Peterson. The Cardinal came with different engines, the 150-horsepower (underpowered), the 180-horsepower (just right), and a 200-horsepower model (perfect for the retractable model).
THE REAL WORLD
Jack Vandeventor of Zionsville, Indiana, uses his Cardinal for everyday flying on both short and long trips. He’ll fire it up for even a 50-mile trip and go at 7,000 feet, burning eight to nine gallons per hour at 140 to 145 knots. It’s an easy airplane to get going. “With its big stabilator you can slow it down and make it stable on approach,” he said. He has 5,000 total flying hours and gets his insurance for $850 a year. He doesn’t compute a per-hour cost but spends about $700 to $800 a month operating his aircraft, including all expenses. His hangar is $300. Annuals cost him $1,200 to $1,500. He puts less than 100 hours per year on the Cardinal. “I think it looks sleek and sexy sitting on the ground. It looks quick just sitting there,” he said. “We have [Cessna] 182 features on a 172 budget.”
Peterson, one of three founders of CFO, has calculated the per-hour cost, helped by his accountant wife, Debbie, a pilot and fellow founder. He estimates the per-hour cost for the fixed-gear Cardinal at $125 while the retractable model is closer to $150. Peterson and his family use the aircraft to ski in the Rockies or go to the Bahamas. He praises the aircraft’s visibility. “You can be in a left turn to base and see the runway.” The Cardinal was designed long after other Cessna aircraft, so being an expert on a Cessna 172 doesn’t make you an expert on a Cardinal.
For more information
Cardinal Flyers Online, P.O. Box 532, Hampshire, Illinois 60140; 847-683-4799; email [email protected]; email is preferred.
Alton K. Marsh
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