Cessna 170
Cessna · United States · first flew 1948 · light aircraft
The Cessna 170 is a four-seat high-wing monoplane that proved enormously popular in the late 1940s and 1950s, bridging the gap between Cessna's pre-war models and the landmark Cessna 172 Skyhawk. It uses a conventional tailwheel undercarriage where the later 172 adopted tricycle gear.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 1940s high-wing four-seat piston tourer with metal fuselage and fabric wings |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1940s high-wing four-seat piston tourer with metal fuselage and fabric wings
- Fixed tailwheel undercarriage — no tricycle gear
- Strut-braced high wing with rounded tips on later models
Essentially a smaller, tailwheel version of the Cessna 172; the conventional undercarriage, strut-braced high wing, and Cessna family nose profile are the key distinguishing points from the similar but nosewheel-equipped 172.
Specifications
- The Cessna 170 has a length of 7.61 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.9 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 225 km/h (140 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in September 1948, the 170 sold over 5,000 units in six years. It was offered with fabric-covered metal wings initially, then with all-metal wings from 1952. The 170B introduced the large camber-lift flaps that would define the 172. Production ended in 1956 when the 172 superseded it.
Variants
The 170A introduced a revised wing and different flap system; the 170B added the Fowler-type flaps later used on the 172. Engine variations used the Continental C145 or O-300.
Where you'll see it
Enormously popular in North America, Australia, and worldwide private ownership; many thousands survive in airworthy condition, popular as tailwheel trainers.
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