Upgraded Cessna Cardinal 177 Outperforms later 177B

[@henryostman5740]

long term Cardinal owner here. Since I installed the exhaust fairing on the cowl I have never had any problem with cylinder head or ail temp issues, before on climb out on hot days I had to lower the nose but not anymore. I noticed that the plane had its legs clipped (the stair step for getting in) mine had the same surgery. It might be a reach for short people but the rest of us should have no problem. It don't see what complication there is with the CS prop (mine is a B model) just push it in all the way for takeoff and landing. It's a clean airframe so it will 'float' if you come in too fast. there is no need to lower flaps until below 100 mph for landing and full flaps will help you slow down, I use one notch of flaps for takeoff since I am on grass. I cruise between 2200/2300 since that lowers the engine noise, I do like to hear some engine, the sound is reassuring 😍😎. the Card will not fly full tanks and four adults unless they're really skinny, I'm not.

[@aerolife1646]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the plane. Appreciate you watching our video.

[@NT4XT]

i just can't get over that rake. So fine.

[@TarasZpilot]

I owned a 1972 177B for 6 years and used it for aerial photography. I had a small sliding window installed which worked great. I loved flying her especially on long flights. Very comfortable & easy to land. Even handled crosswinds easily even with those long wings. Only recurring issue I had was the nose wheel strut vibrating on landing. Otherwise I miss that plane!

[@AClark-gs5gl]

We are currently seeking a 177-B. Cannot wait to find her! Great video review!

[@aerolife1646]

Thank you, you have chosen a great model to own. We will actually be getting a 177B in this weekend. Please check out our website for details: www.aerolifeaviation.com/

[@brianlott7571]

The original 1968 177 Cardinal came with the 150hp Lycoming. The 177A model came with the 180hp Lycoming and a fixed pitch propellor. The 177B model came with the 180hp Lycoming and a constant speed propellor. The B model also had a change in the airfoil from the original 177.

[@aerolife1646]

thank you for sharing the info

[@themechanic568]

How about a 68 with a 200hp?

[@salimsopari]

super smooth landing at the end

[@aerolife1646]

Thank you, Cardinal is not a hard plane to land. Some pilots have difficulties if they try to land it like they would a 172.

[@rodolfocastro3222]

As usual, the best airplane review videos and the most detailed. Excellent job! Thank you!

[@aerolife1646]

Comments like yours encourage us to make more and better videos. Thank you

[@NT4XT]

imo the 177 is one of the most aesthetically sexy high wings, and the prettiest Cessna high wing. Because, cantilevered melding into a supremely raked windshield.

[@justsnappy]

Cool plane. Never knew it had 180hp option.

[@aerolife1646]

Yes they had an STC for an upgrade

[@curtisccr]

The FBO/school where I got my PPL in 1993 had a 177 on the rental line for a while. It was just a few bucks more than the 172s so I got a check out and flew about 30 hours in it. 150HP so it was a touch underpowered, but it was almost always just me and one other person so it never really was an issue. Landing took a little practice. You had to get the speed right. It was noticeably less forgiving than the Skyhawk if you carried extra speed over the fence - it would float to the next county. It has a horizontal stabilator, rather than a standard elevator, so it was very light in pitch control. It all just took a few hours to get used to. I have a friend that used fly with me a lot, and to this day he still remembers the Cardinal and thought it was pretty cool. I liked it too. Always been more fond of the stiff legged version. It still looks very cool without the complexity of tucking up the gear. [edited to correct a couple of glaring typos].

[@aerolife1646]

You are right. Every plane is different and needs to be learned. Cessna has very effective flaps and higher airframe drag. So they don't float unless the approach is incorrect with excess speed as you mentioned. As a pilot, if I can't fly or land properly while other pilots can, it is my problem. Not the plane. Look at this pilot and how he landed the plane. He landed the plane the same way night landing and gusting to 25 knots.

[@curtisccr]

@@aerolife1646 I did not intend to sound negative about the 177. It's probably in my top three favorites of single engine planes. But that cantilever wing and the stabilator make it handle noticeably different than the Skyhawk or Skylane. That wasn't a bad thing - it was just different.

[@byarsjay]

Great video. Thanks. Watched this a few times. Maybe I missed it. What’s the useful Load on on this STC 180 HP?

[@aerolife1646]

There are a few different STC options available which have different specifications. Useful load will depend on the STC installed and also what equipment is installed in the plane so each plane will be different.

[@user-bu7hl1ob8t]

Magnificent plane!

[@aerolife1646]

The Cardinals really are a wonderful plane.

[@ronbenjamin4351]

Great channel!! Thank you!

[@aerolife1646]

You're welcome, thank you for the nice comment.

[@lostcreek163]

Really a well done Video and presentation of aircraft!

[@aerolife1646]

Thank you very much for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jamesfischer7334]

Got my Complex/High Performance endorsement in a 177RG. Sweet ride, but, I'm a renter. Hard to find rentals. If you get the chance to fly one, do it . Great viz without struts, very manueverable.

[@aerolife1646]

They are a nice airplane to fly

[@colinbrettell3136]

Adorable plane. Thanks for the introduction. 🇬🇧😎

[@aerolife1646]

You are welcome. It is a nice plane and all our flights on this plane had a comfortable and safe feeling.

[@RIP5582]

Another great video and aeroplane. Thank you.

[@aerolife1646]

Thank you

[@alanwelch7297]

I love your reviews. I would have an airplane again, if I could get a medical. Can't get one!!

[@aerolife1646]

Thank you. I think being a pilot a rare privilege. You can find a way. You can get a plane for the next generation and fly from the right seat. There was a pilot who went skydiving on his 85th birthday. I always try to remember and be inspired by the spirit of the pilots that never give up.

[@BudFunOne]

What a wonderful video! Thank you for sharing

[@aerolife1646]

Glad you like it. Thanks for watching

[@MonkPetite]

Next to the c337 the c177 is my favourite Cessna. Although the c337 is a twin I consider it a very similar to single. Why the cardinals because they are the most sporty looking plane with very comfortable cabin and still small in size. It’s perfect.

[@aerolife1646]

They are very comfortable for a single.

[@kirbysybert9066]

very nice unit!! i do prefer the green and white one ya had for sale better but this is just as nice

[@aerolife1646]

Thank you, each one has their own benefits

[@tqmx1]

Just to let you know that is a straight 177 no A or B no matter what engine and prop they hung on it you still have the 2350# g/w where the A&B had a g/w of 2500#. And with the a4 engine (solid crank) there is no weigh to convert it over to a constant speed prop. Other than that nice plane & good report.

[@aerolife1646]

Thanks. We need to look at the useful load which is what matters. The useful load of the 1975 177B Cardinal II package I had was 900Lbs (no autopilot) vs this plane has 840Lbs. The difference is only 10 Gallons of fuel weight. Some Cardinals have a higher useful load with no upgrades. 840Lbs of useful load is very reasonable because of the number of upgrades in the plane including autopilot and servos. If you put all the upgrades into a B model you won't have much more useful load. There is no need for a constant speed prop upgrade as this is easier for many pilots to manage to come from 172. We just had a Penn-Yan 172/180 conversion that comes with a fixed pitch prop which is a very nice plane to own and fly. When people need a CS Prop a and load hauler 182 is a good option.

[@tqmx1]

AeroLife , I hate to say your a wee bit heavy. We have s/n 817 with a 180 and a McCauley csp our empty weight comes in at 1580# with a GTN750 and a aspin display. We just removed the vacuum system and added a surefly ignition that will knock off a few lbs at next w/b. Light airframe and a full 180hp when you open the throttle it does get out of its own way! Still you have a nice bird!

[@davidfrost1428]

Great info, thanks.

[@aerolife1646]

you are welcome. Thank you for watching the video and the comment

[@Nicholas10101]

Very good. Thanks!

[@aerolife1646]

You are welcome and thank you for watching the video

[@jorgerefsgaard2522]

Dear Lady, this is the plane I need, with a standard panel that I mostly like. Is this plane on sale?; please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you.

[@williamkennedy2069]

Does this model qualify for the upgrade to the 215 horsepower 390 CID

[@gerryellis3847]

There is a video out there saying how bad the 177 is. Was it the 150 HP engine that damaged its reputation?

[@themechanic568]

That’s a pretty clean 177. To bad Cessna never decided to keep the wing and the 200HP on the fixed gear frame. The IO360 on a 1968 FG is a blast to fly.

[@aerolife1646]

I think there were 4 upgrades with the 200hp.

[@themechanic568]

@@aerolife1646 something like that. 3 or so with a 337 1 for sure with an STC

[@brockmonroe6972]

The 172 I fly has the same paint !

[@aerolife1646]

It is a classy paint scheme. We also had 172 with similar colors.

[@donturner8269]

I checked out your website. Do you currently have any planes for sale? Everything listed was already sold.

[@aerolife1646]

I know, when we get a plane we go through a detailed process to list them which takes time. If you are looking to buy a plane the best is to sign up for our email notices to get a message as soon as we list one. Here is the link: www.aerolifeaviation.com/AlertSignUp

[@sactu1]

Very nice.

[@aerolife1646]

Thank you for watching the video

[@stevemartin6650]

How much?

[@RootBeerGMT]

Where were the mods done? I have a 68 with a 150hp and am quite interested in boosting it.

[@aerolife1646]

There are different STC for the upgrades. they can be done with the STC owned company or as a field by a qualified mechanic.

[@drpando]

I’m in Delray Beach Florida. Home base KLNA. Arrange a pre-buy flight?

[@aerolife1646]

Please contact our company directly

[@ufopilot337]

Has this sold yet ?

[@aerolife1646]

It was sold a while ago. If you are looking to buy a plane you can sign up for our email notices to get notification for our next plane before we advertise: www.aerolifeaviation.com/AlertSignUp

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G, day from Sydney, Australia. I would like to be a stakeholder. That Cardinal is something? * Is there or has there been a Cessna bulletin or AD on the strutless wing? * Any statistical data on fancy pants? * Any oil analysis reports? 🌏🇦🇺

[@aerolife1646]

Good day mate :) There is a service bulletin for visual inspection.No an AD. The previous owner mentioned it was completed at the annual. I don't know much about fancy pants. These types of modifications have a minor improvement in performance. Not much. Would like to visit Australia one day.

[@drpando]

For sale???

[@michaelg.9791]

Yes,that's why she said " if you BUY from us...." ....

[@drpando]

@@michaelg.9791 uh ok.... rephrase.... IS IT STILL For Sale? (or has it been sold)

[@user-bu7hl1ob8t]

Magnificent plane!

[@aerolife1646]

It is a nice plane. we enjoyed it. Thank you for watching the video.