My First Flight In The 65 Year-Old Cessna Airplane I Bought For $25,000

I have recently become the proud owner of a 1956 Cessna 172. 1956 was the very first model year of the best selling aircraft of all time. The "straight tail" has a classic look and this particular airplane is no exception. I was so excited for the opportunity to own my very own airplane that I signed this deal before ever even flying it. Join me on a brief walk around and fly along as I take the controls for the first time.

[@owreese]

As a guy that owns a 60yr old cessna, Gratz on the straight tail. Those are classics that in 20yrs time everyone will want to own. Take good care of it.

[@markkatemcghee2381]

Nice old ship. Love the old fastback square tail 172.

[@MaxRunia]

Awesome plane! Only feedback is to turn down the volume on the background music so we can hear what you're saying.

[@toddfather1971]

The 1 piece windscreen is nice also

[@toddfather1971]

I bought a 1961 172b when I first started flying and I loved that airplane and the "fastback" design. I wish I had never sold it. Basic steam gauges like yours and I even got my instrument rating in that plane.

[@shakey2634]

Always loved the straight tail airplanes. Congrats!

[@RusscanFLY]

Nice looking bird! Manual flaps! She looks clean for sure. I've never seen a six cylinder 172. Congrats!

[@mikeprince5361]

Awesome! Congratulations!

[@TheRiverbob]

You done good Chris. I owned a 1956 N5908A . It was a cream puff also full IFR, duel Collins nav coms, ect. Such a joy to fly. One thing to watch for, on the old strait tails, (secondary stalls). The elevator will stall if you hold it in a hard stall. You'll be look straight down at the ground and standing on the rudder peddles trying to wiggle you butt back on to the seat if your seat belt isn't tight.

[@mchurch3905]

Very clean machine. A lot of fun for not a lot of money. Congratulations!

[@Tglass]

That is a great looking 172, and sounds like you got a very good deal on it. Congratulations.

[@williamsaldanah3554]

Sounds like the soundtrack from “Manos the hands of fate” . Very cool plane

[@dannyarquitt160]

Congrats!!!

[@PandaMan1844]

Congratulations Chris

[@jerryb5631]

What an awesome deal. In the next year or two I'm looking to get a Cessna. Hope I find a hell of a deal like you did.

[@EricGaskamp]

Very nice!! I love the straight tails!! My CFI had the exact same plane but it was blue. I had about 44 hours in that plane and it was the first plane I soloed in!! I absolutely loved the manual flaps as well. Just subscribed, you have awesome content!

[@double-jeopardy]

Beautiful bird. Be proud!

[@budowens6478]

Nice airplane ✈️ I love my 1960 C172 Stay safe my friend.

[@terrallputnam7979]

About 3 years ago, I bought a 60 year old Forney F1A Aircoupe in an auction. I couldn't fly it home unfortunately. You got a good deal. Even 40+ year old Cessna 172s are bringing $65k. She is a beauty!

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day from Sydney Australia. Nice plane, vintage aircraft category? Next time filming, I'd like to have closer look at; *Prop and safety wiring *Engine and accessories *Wing strut connections (floor) *Control cables and pulley *Doors, hinges and locks *Scat hose, rubber engine cooling apron. Have fun 🌏🇦🇺

[@PoorBoyPennyShow]

nice cessna and a nice price ,,those are my favorite aircraft ,,all of the cessna planes are sweet little flying machines

[@krisperkreme6021]

Congrats, what a deal.

[@markwickard7822]

I have owned N6753A since 1997 SE# 28853 - Just love my 56" nice video!

[@PandaMan1844]

Way to go Chris.

[@radioace318la]

congrats my man! I put off buying my own back when I got my SEL in the mid-80s. Prices were almost reasonable back then. Now the prices and cost to own have killed my dream of owning my own plane. but hey, there's something to be said about renting a 172 for a day. :) Cheers from Louisiana.

[@wayneschenk5512]

What a great old plane to look after a classic.

[@timcastens1150]

That was cool 😎

[@mhtent]

That was a great deal if you got it for $25,000. I used to own a 1956, N5879A.

[@lynnkramer1211]

I would advise any new owner to develop checklists for each of the basic phases of operations of your new plane. Preflight inspection, startup, runup, take off, and shutdown and tied down. I assume you have them and use them, everytime and just edited those segments out. It is essential that all pilots use physical checklists, everytime they operate an aircraft.

[@FernandoPerez-en8sc]

Beautiful conditions. Outstanding price.

[@bonvili3930]

Wow,, Nice One ,,

[@candidoalcantara6718]

congrat

[@ervinthompson6598]

My dad took lessons in a new 1956 172- a beautiful blue and white over polished aluminum- and I had my first airplane ride in it at eight months...N7080A. DO inspect the seat tracks/ locks for security and always have a safety pilot , right seat.

[@gdavis8588]

I haven’t seen it in person but a guy not far from me in Quincy, IL restored and owns the first production 172.

[@regdavenport3715]

Smoking deal!

[@easttexan2933]

What a great airplane for a first time owner. Congrats man on a fine choice. I would rearrange the panel slightly. I would move the artificial horizon to where the needle/ball location, needle/ball to the vertical altitude indicator, the vertical altitude indicator to the compass location, move the compass over to the empty slot, and the empty slot is now where the artificial horizon is now. I want my artificial horizon right next to my ASI. Of course, these are just my opinions. Hope to see many more videos of your flying adventures. On another note....having to listen to someone try to talk over background music is very annoying. Music doesn't add anything to a video like this. You might want to consider that in the future. Again, just my humble opinion, as others may like it.

[@murrayhelmer8941]

Love those old straight tails. Used to fly a straight tail 182 hauling skydivers. Had my 1st engine failure in that plane!, 😂😂

[@denniswagner3962]

So you don’t need a full on G3000 panel to fly a plane? Great video, I enjoyed it.

[@1pjlewis2]

I am turning green with even though I would be glad to bee in your spot.

[@frankdillon6127]

you didnt mention the dual ash trays,cool!

[@denniswillis5443]

I owned/flew a 1959 C-172 for over 20 years. Sorriest thing Cessna ever did was sweep the tail and put springs and bob weights on the control cables. The old straight tails are so light and responsive on the controls. That big old straight tail just loves to fly. Very little rudder required.

[@Peter-ic7vj]

Keep mouse traps inside plame and many in the hanger.peanut butter works well on traps. Kep her shiny!!!!!!

[@sinistersilverado965]

nice

[@BriMarAviation]

Congratulations! Question did the owner remove the pull start lever? I also just bought a 172 recently you can see on my channel. So happy for you enjoy😁

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

Yes, it still has the pull-to-start handle. Its very original.

[@angusmclennan8747]

great old plane, why they put glass in the back window in later models I never fathom, just so how much cooler in the australian summers.. i did 400 hrs in my old 172c, just loved it , put flap gap seals on, with me and half tanks stall with air speed needle not reading. trust you will have much fun, mine cruised 103kts 30 lph on car fuel.

[@rhark25]

Beautiful old straight tail but what I really want to know about is the Saab Sonnet sharing the hangar :)

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

Here you go. kzbin.info/aero/PLYEldzl7nf5UVkYBScRAfcD9d2LOEEQZE

[@candidoalcantara6718]

wao men is beautiful, I love it

[@wcottee]

There doesn't seem to be any radio navigation aides...correct me if I'm wrong.

[@warrenholmes3311]

I69 Clermont County, Southern Ohio.

[@supermotoj9561]

I have a question what are your fixed costs of your 172 if you still own it?

[@wiliamtravis]

On these old 172s with the O-300 - where is the fuel sump underneath the engine? I was looking at a 1963 172D the other day and couldnt locate the under engine fuel sump!

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

My sump is slightly on the passenger side bolted to the firewall. Its pretty obvious.

[@beekangkang7150]

Welcome to General Aviation,

[@wayneschenk5512]

Obviously just a vfr machine but have the AH to the right side seemed annoying but ok for the person flying in the right seat but a great plane.

[@Nemesisnxt]

What if your empty weight? Also, what prop do you have installed? I noticed you are only getting about 2000 RPM on takeoff which seems really low.

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

1,393 empty 2,200 max and I will confess that the carb heat was hot during that takeoff because the knob looks just like the cabin heat.

[@Nemesisnxt]

@@ChrisClarkeFly I appreciate the honesty. I saw 2200 in some other videos of yours, and that carb heat makes sense. Thanks for the data!

[@hdb1883]

im trying to learn to fly. this got me thinking of possibilities

[@aponjos613]

I'm student pilot, currently looking for an Aircraft. Currently looking at 1958 C172 for sale on the field. How you like yours so far? I'm getting training on a 1974 C172 M, afraid that there could be a lot of differences, specifically on the powerplant.

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

Having flown a majority of the 172 variations, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick any. They all fly almost identical. For the very original to the brand new.

[@Peter-ic7vj]

Location?

[@arnaudnicolau2093]

pfff wish i could find a 172 that clean at that price or is the engine close to TBO?

[@chags9307]

Even with a clapped out engine, that’s a deal.

[@farmgene]

I own a 172B. (Half of it.)

[@goflyjeff]

Good ole plane. What a bargain!

[@observer1242]

“Fire it up and see what happens?”

[@Cdrop20]

How did you find a 172 for 25,000??

[@ChrisClarkeFly]

From a friend of a friend.

[@VictoryAviation]

@@ChrisClarkeFlyYou lucked out BIG TIME with a deal like that 😧

[@Jtc1888]

Are you going to fly or play the piano ?

[@droge192]

Loved the content but please, next time, just leave the music out. Background music is something that content creators *think* viewers will want/enjoy, but in reality, never do. It was hard to hear your speech and lounge library music, you know, just adds nothing and distracts a whole lot. Gorgeous plane.

[@tpsu129]

Lose the music. Keep the plane.

[@raymond3803]

Why? Why? I have yet to see a light sport, light jet, or piston GA. That can fly with full fuel & seats. Constant balance calculation. It's rude to ask what your passenger weighs. They rave about the Vashon Ranger. 310 pound useful load. Two 150 pound people no bags and 1 gallon gas. What's the point of 2 seats? Cirrus Vision Jet, 2300 pound useful load. Full fuel = 2,000. Hire a pilot and you can't even go. Why does it have 7 seats? Commercial airlines would never put up with that shit. GA shouldn't either. Any commercial make & model . They can pack every seat with a 275 pound slob. 2 suit cases and a carry-on bag. That plane isn't over-weight with fuel to fly at least 2000 miles. Why can a commercial carry so much more? Figure weight, thrust, wing area, of a 50 year old 727 commercial jet can carry way more than a (new) Honda Jet all things being equal.

[@jillianaiden9850]

😂 Promo_SM!!