Target audience:
Flight schools, student pilots, private pilots, A&P mechanics, DIY owners performing owner-level maintenance
Market segment:
Primary two-seat flight trainer
Key advantage:
Most widely used two-seat trainer of its era with strong parts availability and simple systems
Compared to peers:
Simpler and more economical to operate and maintain than comparable trainers of the period
Airframe:
All-metal, high-wing, strut-braced design
Landing gear:
Fixed tricycle gear with steerable nosewheel
Powerplant:
Lycoming O-235 four-cylinder engine
Delivery method:
Instant high speed download
Compatibility:
All versions of Windows, Mac and Linux
Requirements:
Adobe PDF Reader
Manual type:
Factory service repair workshop manual (training manual edition)
Page count:
N/A - not specified in the source listing
Engine and fuel system:
Lycoming O-235 operation, inspection and servicing
Propeller:
Fixed-pitch propeller inspection and maintenance
Landing gear:
Tricycle gear, nosewheel steering, tires and brakes
Flight controls:
Aileron, elevator, rudder and trim systems
Electrical system:
Battery, alternator, starter, lighting and wiring
Fuel system:
Tanks, selector valve, lines, strainer and carburetor
Pitot-static system:
Pitot tube, static ports, airspeed and altimeter plumbing
Instruments:
Engine and flight instrument checks
Heating and ventilation:
Cabin heat and fresh air controls
Airframe structure:
Wings, fuselage, empennage, control surfaces and exterior surfaces
Preflight inspection:
Complete walkaround checklist and inspection points
Scheduled servicing:
Lubrication points, interval-based servicing tasks
Inspection procedures:
100-hour and annual inspection guidance
Repair procedures:
Structural, system and component repair instructions
Troubleshooting:
Fault diagnosis for engine, electrical and airframe systems
Torque values:
Fastener torque data where published
Diagrams:
Schematics and exploded views for systems and assemblies
Depth level:
Factory-level detail for technicians and owner-maintenance
Step-by-step instructions:
Yes
Illustrated parts catalog:
Service/repair manual content; parts catalog sold separately
File Format:
PDF (searchable, bookmarked, zoomable)
Compatibility:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — any device with a PDF reader
Requirements:
A PDF reader application (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, free)
Searchability:
Fully text searchable for fast lookup of any topic
Print Quality:
High-resolution digital pages, printable at full clarity
Binding Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical binding
Paper Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical paper
Primary engine:
Lycoming O-235-L2C
Configuration:
Four-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally opposed
Displacement:
234 cubic inches (3.83 liters)
Rated power:
110 hp at 2550 rpm
Fuel type:
100LL aviation gasoline
Fuel delivery:
Carbureted, gravity-fed from wing tanks
Fuel capacity:
24.5 US gallons total (usable 24.5 gal with long-range option; 13 gal usable on early std tanks)
Fuel grade note:
Verify approved fuel grades for the specific engine model in the manual
Stall characteristics:
Docile, predictable stall behavior suited to training
Flight controls:
Dual controls standard in trainer aircraft
Airframe:
Semi-monocoque aluminum structure with struck-mass protectiveness typical of the era
Fuel tanks:
Wing-mounted tanks with crash-resistant features per 1970s Cessna design
Crash test ratings:
N/A - general aviation aircraft are not subject to automotive crash test ratings
Certification basis:
FAR Part 23 airworthiness standards
Audio system:
Basic panel-mounted aviation radios of the era; equipment varies by aircraft
Avionics:
Varies by aircraft installation; typical VHF comm/nav fit
Instrumentation:
Six-pack flight instruments, engine gauges
Driver assistance equivalent
Autopilot:
N/A - not factory-equipped; some aircraft may have retrofit systems
Stall warning:
Electric stall warning horn
Annual inspection:
Required every 12 calendar months for aircraft with standard airworthiness certificate
100-hour inspection:
Required for aircraft used for hire / flight instruction for hire
Engine oil:
Aviation piston engine oil per Lycoming O-235 specification; grade selected per ambient temperature chart
Oil capacity:
6 quarts (approximately 5.7 liters)
Brake fluid:
Aviation hydraulic fluid (MIL-H-5606) for drum/disc brake system
Known issues / common wear items
Common wear items:
Nosewheel steering linkage, brake linings, tires
Engine notes:
Carburetor icing in humid conditions; adhere to Lycoming service instructions
Corrosion:
Inspect wing structure and drain holes, especially in coastal operations
Manufacturer:
Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas, USA
Heritage:
Leading producer of light general aviation aircraft since the 1920s
Production run:
1977-1985, with major redesigns introduced for 1977
1977 changes:
Increased elevator and rudder size, higher gross weight, O-235-L2C engine
Factory:
Wichita, Kansas, USA