The Cessna 177 Cardinal is a sleek, comfortable four-seat single that was meant to succeed the 172 — with a wider cabin, better visibility, and distinctive styling that earned a devoted following.
Key takeaways
- Comfortable and stylish: a roomy, good-looking four-seater.
- Fixed-gear and RG versions: the Cardinal RG adds retractable gear.
- Devoted following and good parts support.
About the Cessna 177 Cardinal
The Cardinal came in fixed-gear (177) and retractable (177RG) forms, with Lycoming engines. It offers a wider cabin and better outward visibility than a 172, cruising around 120–140 knots depending on version. Buy on engine time, the gear system (RG), and condition.
| Specification | Cessna 177 Cardinal |
|---|---|
| Type | Four-seat single (fixed or retractable) |
| Engine | Lycoming O-360 / IO-360 |
| Cruise | ~120–140 knots |
Typical used price (2026): ~$60,000–$150,000. Condition, avionics, and engine time drive value within that range.
Is the Cessna 177 Cardinal Right for You?
The Cessna 177 Cardinal fits owners who want a practical four-seat airplane for personal travel, family trips, and building experience. It balances capability, comfort, and cost, and is a common step for pilots moving up from a trainer. Match it to your typical mission and how many seats you'll really use.
Ownership & Operating Costs
- Fuel: moderate for a four-seat single.
- Insurance: reasonable; rises with performance and low time-in-type.
- Maintenance: budget the annual and unscheduled items; parts support varies by type.
- Engine reserve: set aside per flight hour toward overhaul.
For a full framework across models, see our aircraft ownership cost guide.
What to Check When Buying
Focus the pre-buy on engine time since overhaul (with compression and borescope checks), avionics, damage history, and complete logbooks; older airframes warrant a corrosion inspection. A type-experienced shop is worth seeking out.
Financing a Cessna 177 Cardinal
A Cessna 177 Cardinal finances readily as a piston single — typically 15–20% down and terms up to 20 years for a well-qualified buyer, with engine time, avionics, and your credit driving the rate. Jaken Aviation is a brokerage, not a lender — we shop your loan across a national network of aviation lenders.
Prices, specifications, and financing figures are illustrative for the 2026 market and are not offers of credit. Jaken Aviation is a licensed aircraft financing brokerage — a division of Jaken Finance Group — and does not make loan decisions. All financing is subject to lender approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cessna 177 Cardinal a good family airplane?
It depends on how many seats and how much range you need. As a four-seat single it handles personal travel and family trips well; confirm the useful load fits your typical load.
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