Cessna introduced a retractable landing gear version of the 172 in 1980 and named it the\u00a0Cutlass 172RG.<\/p>\n
The Cutlass featured a variable-pitch, constant-speed propeller and a more powerful\u00a0Lycoming O-360-F1A6\u00a0engine of 180 horsepower (130\u00a0kW). The 172RG sold for about US$19,000 more than the standard 172 of the same year and produced an optimal cruise speed of 140 knots (260\u00a0km\/h), compared to 122 knots (226\u00a0km\/h) for the contemporary 160 horsepower (120\u00a0kW) version.<\/p>\n
The 172RG did not find wide acceptance in the personal aircraft market because of higher initial and operating costs accompanied by mediocre cruising speed, but was adopted by many flight schools since it met the specific requirements for “complex aircraft” experience necessary to obtain a Commercial Pilot certificate (the role for which it was intended), at relatively low cost. Between 1980 and 1984 1177 RGs were built, with a small number following before production ceased in 1985.<\/p>\n
While numbered and marketed as a 172, the 172RG was actually certified on the\u00a0Cessna 175\u00a0type certificate.<\/p>\n