The Cessna Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing , fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. The Skyhawk name was originally used for a trim package, but was later applied to all standard-production aircraft, while some upgraded versions were marketed as the Cutlass , Powermatic , and Hawk XP. The aircraft was also produced under license in France by Reims Aviation , which marketed upgraded versions as the Reims Rocket.
Measured by its longevity and popularity, the Cessna is the most successful aircraft in history. Cessna delivered the first production model in , and as of [update] , the company and its partners had built more than 44, units. A light general aviation airplane, the Skyhawk's main competitors throughout much of its history were the Beechcraft Musketeer and Grumman American AA-5 series, though neither are currently in production.
The Cessna started as a tricycle landing gear variant of the taildragger Cessna , with a basic level of standard equipment. In January , Cessna flew an improved variant of the Cessna , a Continental OA -powered Cessna C with larger elevators and a more angular tailfin. Early s were similar in appearance to the s, with the same straight aft fuselage and tall landing gear legs, although the had a straight tailfin while the had a rounded fin and rudder.
In , the A incorporated revised landing gear and the swept-back tailfin, which is still in use today. The final aesthetic development, found in the D and all later models, was a lowered rear deck allowing an aft window. Cessna advertised this added rear visibility as " Omni-Vision ".
Production halted in the mids, but resumed in with the hp kW Cessna R Skyhawk. The Cessna may be modified via a wide array of supplemental type certificates STCs , including increased engine power and higher gross weights. Available STC engine modifications increase power from to hp to kW , add constant-speed propellers , or allow the use of automobile gasoline. Other modifications include additional fuel tank capacity in the wing tips , added baggage compartment tanks, added wheel pants to reduce drag, or enhanced landing and takeoff performance and safety with a STOL kit.
