Cessna 177 Cardinal

The Cardinal, Cessna's intended modern replacement for the 172, built 1968-1978: no wing strut, a wing set behind the doors so you step straight in, a wide cabin, big doors and a stabilator instead of a conventional tailplane. The 1968 177 had 150 hp and a pitch-sensitive stabilator; the 177A (1969) went to 180 hp and a slotted stabilator; the 177B (1970-78) added a new wing airfoil and a constant-speed propeller and is the version most people want.

The variants

MODEL	YEARS	ACTIVE	TAILFAX SCORE	WHAT CHANGED
177	1968	446	26.9/50	The original: 150 hp, cantilever wing, stabilator
177A	1969	81	Partial 17/30	180 hp O-360; slotted stabilator cures the pitch sensitivity
177B	1970–1978	843	33.5/50	New wing airfoil, constant-speed propeller, higher weight

Family fleet, active

1,370

FAA registry

NTSB events / 1,000, 10 yrs

47.4

65 events over 1,370 active aircraft, pooled across the family

Successor

Cessna 177RG Cardinal RG

Data as of: FAA registry Sep 28 · NTSB Oct 2 · scores Sep 30