N5491R – Cessna 172F Skyhawk – PARTner 91 Arizona Aircraft

Cessna 172F Skyhawk
N5491R

$XX,000 USD

Basic flying, on a budget.

The old saying "don't judge a book by its cover" is apropos for this Cessna 172F Skyhawk. While the exterior paint is worn (or, as some would call it, "patina"), the interior is really nice. There is a lot of potential for this aircraft. It's an opportunity to get into a currently flying Skyhawk, for a fraction of the others on the market, and then give it some tender loving care in the next few years to restore it to all its glory. There are lots of possibilities with this Skyhawk.

The seller acknowledges that the next owner will likely want to do an overhaul sometime soon, even though the engine is running well. This opens up an opportunity for a power upgrade, and the next owner will be able to spec out the new engine however he or she wants. And, what about that paint? Honestly, there is a legit cool factor to patina. So, why be in a rush to paint?

Please carefully review the specs, the detailed high resolution image gallery, and the walkaround video below. You'll see every inch of the aircraft. If you reach out to me, I can digitally share all logbooks and important documents.

General Specifications

Power (Continental O-300):	145 HP	Engine TBO:	1800 HRS
Altitude Ceiling:	13,100 FT	Fuel Capacity:	39 GAL
Wingspan:	35.6 FT	Height:	9.2 FT
Cruise Speed (75% @ 7K ft):	130 MPH	Max Range:	488 NM
Rate of Climb (@ Sea Level):	645 FPM	Stall Speed (Vso):	49 MPH

These specifications were gathered from a variety of sources, including the POH, and are subject to buyer confirmation.

Numbers at a Glance

Born On (Airworthiness Cert)	5/22/1965
Factory Serial Number	17253058
Flight Rules	VFR
Total Time on Airframe (TTAF)	2410 hrs
Engine SMOH (April 1974)	1740 hrs
Engine TBO	1800 hrs
Total Time on Prop	1210 hrs
Gross Weight	2300 lbs
Empty Weight	1401 lbs
Useful Load	899 lbs
Next Annual Insp Due	Mar 2026
Transponder Cert Due	Mar 2027

Hours are a close approximation and will change as aircraft is flown.

Highlights

Aircraft located at KSDL Scottsdale Airport, 12 nm NE of KPHX Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, Arizona
Updated interior (2002) and headliner (2025) is clean and in good order
Paint (1978) is in fair condition but very useable (no need to immediately repaint)
Engine compressions 62/72/53/61/72/71
Accident history in late 1965 and late 1978 per logbooks
All ADs C/W and documented, available digitally
Complete logbooks are available digitally upon request

Avionics and Equipment

TKM MX12 Nav/Com Radio w/ Glideslope
Collins VHF-251 Com Radio
Collins VIR-351 Nav Receiver
Narco AT-50 Transponder
Narco Loran Nav (antiquated)
uAvionix TailBeacon ADS-B Out
Collins AMR 350 Audio Panel
Sigtronics SPA-400 Intercom to all 4 seats
PTT on both yokes
Working spare Collins units included

Aircraft Evaluation

As the broker, I make a significant effort to represent an aircraft in as much detail as possible. I share with you not only the benefits and features I've discovered, but also the issues or concerns that I found during my extensive intake and deep logbook review process. I present dozens of detailed, high resolution images, and an extensive walkaround video. Please review this material in detail. All logbooks and other important documents are professionally scanned, well organized, and available for your review.

My goal is that any Buyer making the effort to look at an aircraft in person can first see the aircraft "virtually" on this web page.

Exterior - The current Dupont Imron paint has been abused over the years by the hot sun here in the dry Arizona desert. While the environment is harsh on paint, it's wonderful for aluminum since it doesn't encourage corrosion. Overall, the aluminum surfaces are in reasonably good condition, with some minor cracks on the corrugated elevator surfaces and some minor dings elsewhere.

The wingtip and rudder caps, in typical Cessna fashion, have some cracks due to age. The Plexiglas windows are bright and clear, as they are always protected by a canopy cover. The rear window shows some internal cracks, but not an issue requiring immediate replacement.

Please review the highly-detailed, high resolution images in the Image Gallery below. Those images allow you to see the minor imperfections that I've described.

Instrument Panel - The panel is basic in instrumentation, and while it has dual NAV radios and a Glideslope indicator, it is currently certified for VFR flight only. I'm afraid nobody will find any use for the LORAN navigation receiver! Overall, though, the panel is clean and in good shape. The plastics are in remarkably good condition for their age.

The Collins COM and NAV radios are regarded as very high quality radios. Nevertheless, the owner of the aircraft will include spare radios with the sale of the aircraft. He used to have a good friend connection at Collins, so he ended up with spares!

Please refer to the "Avionics and Equipment" list above, for complete details, and to the Image Gallery below for close-up images of the entire instrument panel.

Interior - With a recently replaced headliner (2025), and fairly new seat covers, carpet, and door panel covers (2002), the interior in N5491R is in good condition. The upholstery has held up well (no rips or unusual wear), and the carpet shows only minimum wear and is very presentable.

Overall - This Cessna 172F is a terrific opportunity for a pilot on a budget who wants to work, over time, to restore this Skyhawk to its original beauty and capabilities. Though not flown regularly, the owner does fly it on occasion, and he reports that it flies nicely.

Please reach out to me so that I may answer any questions you have.

Logbooks available digitally upon request.

Aircraft Walkaround
Here is a video of a complete walkaround of the aircraft.