Introduction :
The Cessna 175 Skylark is “a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing engine produced between 1958 and 1962.”* It was designed to fill the market
between the lower-powered Cessna 172 Skyhawk, and the heavy duty Cessna 180.** The term Skylark was given to the deluxe version of the
175. This included a package of optional equipment and a special paint scheme. The engine of the 175 was 30hp more than the engine of the
172. A total of 2, 106 aircrafts were produced during its time. One of its main features as well is its tricycle-arranged landing gear. Although
the same aircraft design was adopted in both planes, the 175 has a distinctive bulge in the cowling to accommodate the engine. Several variants were made from this line: the 175 Skylark, 175A, B, and C as well.
However, this aircraft had its unusual feature. Powered by the Continental GO-300 engine, the engine is not directly driven; it is run by a
gearbox. Hence, the engine suffered a lot of reliability problems, which gave the model a bad reputation in the aviation world. This has
changed, though, as many Skylarks now have been converted to direct-drive engines. Critics say, though, that this reputation was
undeserved, since the engine failure could mostly be attributed to pilots who are unfamiliar with how the engine should be operated.
The Cessna 175 offers a comfortable riding experience for both the pilot and the passengers as well. Long journeys can be undertaken using
this aircraft without the fear of aching, stiff limbs. The cabin is spacious, but it is said that the best feature of this aircraft is the uninterrupted views from all angles of the plane.
Production history :
The 175 was designed to fill a niche between the Cessna 172 and the heavy-duty Cessna 180 . The engine of the 175 was rated at 175 hp (130
kW), or 30 hp (22 kW) more than the engine of the 172. Between 1958 and 1962, a total of 2,106 were built. The basic airplane was marketed
as the 175, and the plane with a package of optional equipment and a special paint scheme was marketed as the Skylark.
Design :
The airframe of the 175 is all metal, constructed of aluminum alloy. The fuselage is a semi-monocoque structure, with exterior skin sheets
riveted to former s and longeron s. The strut-braced wings, likewise, are constructed of exterior skin sheets riveted to spars and ribs . The
landing gear of the 175 is in a tricycle arrangement, with main gear legs made of spring steel, along with a steerable nosewheel connected
through an oleo strut used for shock absorption.
While it incorporates airframe changes, the 175 is very similar in appearance to the 172 of the same vintage. The most noticeable difference is
the distinctive bulge in the cowling to accommodate the gearbox of the engine.
The GO-300 engine :
An unusual feature of the 175 is the use of the geared Continental GO-300 engine. Whereas most single-engine airplanes use direct drive, this
engine drives the propeller through a reducing gearbox , so the engine runs at 3200 rpm to turn the propeller at 2400 rpm. The GO-300
engine suffered reliability problems and helped give the 175 a poor reputation. Many Skylarks flying today have been converted to larger-
displacement direct-drive engines.
The reputation of the GO-300 may not have been deserved, since the problems associated with it were the result of pilots who were familiar
with direct-drive engines simply not operating the engine correctly. Pilots unfamiliar with the engine often operated the engine at low RPM
settings (2300) appropriate to direct-drive engines, while the 175's Operating Handbook called for cruising at 2900 RPM. The low RPM
prevented the engine's air-cooling system from operating effectively, caused harmonic vibration in the reduction gear between the quill shaft
and crankshaft, and resulted in a lack of reliability.
Variants :
Many of the higher-powered versions of the 172 in fact belong to the 175 type design. Included in this group are the P172D Powermatic, most
T-41 s (the -B, -C, and -D models), the R172J and R172K Hawk XP, and the retractable gear 172RG.
175 Skylark -
Powered by the Continental GO-300A or GO-300C engine, gross weight , first certified 14 January 1958.
175A Skylark -
Powered by the Continental GO-300C or GO-300D engine, landplane gross weight , seaplane gross weight , first certified 28 August 1959.
175B Skylark -
Powered by the Continental GO-300C or GO-300D engine, landplane gross weight , seaplane gross weight , first certified 14 June 1960.
175C Skylark -
Powered by the Continental GO-300E , gross weight , first certified 18 September 1961.
1959 Cessna 175 "Skylark" Specifications and Performance Data :
Background :
- The Cessna Model 175 is similar in configuration to the Cessna Model 172.
- It is powered by a 175-hp Continental GO-300-A engine, and has a number of design and equipment refinements, including a free-blown
wind-shield, new panel design, inside fuel drain, electric fuel gauges, Fiberglas speed fairings, and new interior and exterior styling.
- The aircraft is approved for the fitting of floats.
Type :
- Four-seat cabin monoplane.
Wings :
- High-wing braced monoplane.
- NACA 2412 wing section.
- Aspect ratio 7.46.
- Dihedral 2° 8'.
- All-metal single-spar structure with metal skin.
- Single bracing strut on each side.
- NACA slotted flaps inboard of ailerons.
- Aileron area: (total) 18.3 ft2 (1.70 m2).
- Total flap area: 21.23 ft2 (1.97 m2).
- Gross wing area: 174 ft2 (16.2 m2)
Fuselage :
- All-metal monocoque.
Tail Unit :
- Cantilever monoplane type.
- All-metal structure.
- Horn-balanced rudder and elevators.
Areas :
- Fin: 9.0 ft2 (0.84 m2)
- Rudder: 9.42 ft2 (0.87 m2)
- Elevators (total): 15.42 ft2 (1.43 m2)
- Tailplane: 19.80 ft2 (1.84 m2)
Landing Gear :
- Cessna "Land-O-Matic" gear.
- Hydraulic wheel brakes.
- Nosewheel is steerable with rudder up to 10° and controllable up to 30° on either side.
Power Plant :
- One 175-hp Continental GO-300-A six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine.
- McCauley two-blade metal airscrew.
- Fuel tanks in wings with total capacity of 42 U.S. gallons (159 liters).
Accommodation :
- Cabin seats four in two pairs, front pair with dual controls.
- Baggage space aft of rear seats.
- 36-inch wide door on each side of cabin giving access to all seats and to simplify loading if rear seats removed and cabin used for freight.
- Combined heating and ventilation system.
- Fiberglas soundproofing.
Dimensions :
- Span: 36 ft (10.9 m)
- Length: 25 ft (7.62 m)
- Height: 9 ft 2 in (2.80 m)
Weights and Loadings :
- Weight empty: 1,312 lb (596 kg)
- Weight loaded: 2,350 lb (1,067 kg)
- Wing loading: 13.4 psf (65.39 kg/m2)
- Power loading: 13.4 lb/hp (6.08 kg/hp)
Performance :
- Maximum speed: 147 mph (235 km/h)
- Maximum recommended cruising speed: 139 mph (222 km/h)
- Initial rate of climb: 850 fpm (259 mpm)
- Service ceiling: 15,900 ft (4,850 m)
- Range at 139 mph (222 km/h.): 595 miles (958 km)
- Maximum range at 102 mph (163 km/h.): 720 miles (1,150 km)
- Cruising endurance: 4.3 hours.
Cessna 175 Skylark Four Seat Light Aircraft.
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Regards,
Preeti Bagad [BE(CS)]
SW Engineer Cum Blogger
On Line Assistence :
