Cessna Skyhawk's Interior Refresh

A review of the Cessna 172 Skyhawk's new interior design and avionics system

Cessna's new seating design concept. Source: cessna.txtav.com

The Cessna just got a fresh new look featuring brand new display technology, new avionics and a comfortable seating design that looks more like a fancy car than a plane. But is it really as good as it looks? Read on to find out...

• Looks

There's a popular saying that goes like this: "Looks aren't everything". But in this new Skyhawk design, I think they might be. The new design looks fantastic and I would love to experience it for myself but for now I'll just have to stare longingly at photos of it. I love this new sleek, smooth design and as I previously said, it looks more like the inside of a car than a plane (not that I have any problem with that, I love cars too!). Let's take a look at whether this plane's new features work as well as they look...

This sleek design reminds me of a car. Source: cessna.txtav.com

• Features of the onboard avionics

This new touchscreen display shows terrain, altitude and airspeed. Source: cessna.txtav.com

The onboard avionics are state of the art using a modern touchscreen display named the Garmin G1000 NXi. Cessna's official site explain that the standard features include:

• Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast out and in

• Integrated visual flight rules sectional charts

• Instrument flight rules high and low charts with Night Mode

• Communication frequency decoding

• Vertical Situation Display

• Selectable visual approaches

• Wireless database and flight plan loading

• Angle of Attack indicator

• Simplified maintenance

You can read up on these terms in my glossary at the bottom of the page.

Possible optional features include:

• Garmin GFC - 700 Autopilot featuring Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and Under Speed Protection (USP)

• Garmin Connext Satellite Iridium: a connectivity solution for aircraft that provides global weather and communications coverage.

• Surface Watch: a runway monitoring technology that helps prevent pilots from taking off or landing in unsafe conditions.

• "Aviation's Ultimate Classroom"

Cessna's website have dubbed their plane "AVIATION’S ULTIMATE CLASSROOM" and I think I agree! The seats are much comfier than those I would use at school and are covered

with durable Luxor 2, a specific type of durable material commonly used for upholstery or covering seats. The windows are of the large "wraparound" type, they are windows that are designed to provide a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The cockpit and cabin are lit by soft LED lights so that "every lesson is enjoyed in comfort".

The Cessna Skyhawk piston is ideally designed for instructors, students and observers alike. With seats wrapped in durable Luxor 2, large wraparound windows, soft LED lighting throughout the cabin and cockpit dual USB ports, every lesson is enjoyed in comfort.

• Glossary (from Wikipedia)

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is an advanced surveillance technology used in aviation. It allows aircraft to determine their position and transmit this information to ground stations and other aircraft. ADS-B provides real-time precision and shared situational awareness in the aviation industry.

Integrated Visual Flight Rules (VFR) sectional charts are navigational aids used by pilots flying under VFR conditions. These charts provide detailed visual representation of the airspace, terrain, and landmarks. They include information such as airports, airspace boundaries, navigational aids, topography, and other relevant data.

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) high and low charts are navigational aids used by pilots flying under IFR conditions. These charts provide detailed information about airways, navigation aids, airports, controlled airspace, and other relevant data. IFR high charts are used for flights at higher altitudes, while IFR low charts are used for flights at lower altitudes. The Night Mode feature on these charts provides enhanced visibility and readability during nighttime operations. Night Mode typically uses a color scheme that is easier on the eyes and reduces glare, making it more suitable for low-light conditions.

Communication frequency decoding refers to the process of extracting and interpreting the communication frequencies used in aviation. In aviation, various frequencies are used for communication between pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation personnel.

The Vertical Situation Display (VSD) is a graphical representation of the aircraft's vertical profile, showing altitude and vertical speed information. It provides pilots with a visual depiction of their current altitude, trend, and potential conflicts with terrain or airspace. The VSD helps pilots maintain situational awareness and make informed decisions regarding altitude changes and adherence to airspace restrictions.

The Angle of Attack (AoA) indicator is a device that provides pilots with real-time information about the angle between the oncoming airflow and the aircraft's wings. It helps pilots determine the critical angle at which the wings may stall, potentially leading to loss of control. The AoA indicator aids in maintaining an optimal angle of attack for safe and efficient flight, especially during critical phases such as takeoff, landing, and maneuvering.

• The Final Score

I say this without having actually sat in the cockpit, but I think that these changes in the cockpit and cabin are great! Firstly, there's all the added comfort and style in the new design, the avionics system looks great and should work great thanks to it's 3D terrain display and well displayed airspeed and altitude indicators and is overall just a great refresh and a great topic to kick off my new website! I'll give it a solid 4.5 stars out of 5 because nothing is perfect.

I would love to hear from you if you have been lucky enough to sit in that cockpit and fly the plane! It would be great to hear your experience of flying it or even sitting in the cabin! so please, leave a comment or get in touch as my contact details are down in the contact section of my website.

Until next time, have a great day!