This 1974 Cessna 172M Skyhawk Is an Upgraded, Well-Kept ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

180 hp engine gives the humble machine a significant performance boost.

Jonathan Welsh

Friday, June 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

1974 Cessna 172M Skyhawk [Credit: Hiller Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft For Sale's "Today's Top Pick" is a 1974 Cessna 172M Skyhawk, highlighting the rapid increase in value and demand for Cessna 172s from private pilots and flight schools.
The Cessna 172 is highly sought after due to its versatility, serving well for both student pilots and first-time buyers with its four-seat cabin and greater capability.
This particular Skyhawk features a desirable 180 hp engine upgrade, significantly enhancing its performance over the original 150 hp powerplant.
Additional features include updated avionics (e.g., L3 NGT 9000 transponder with ADS-B In and Out), electric flaps, vortex generators, and a repainted exterior, offered at $164,900.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1974 Cessna 172M Skyhawk.

After decades at the lower end of the used aircraft market, the Cessna 172 has risen in value rapidly during the past several years as individual private pilots shopping for personal aircraft compete with flight schools and flying clubs shoring up their training fleets.

This Skyhawk panel includes updates [Credit: Hiller Aviation]

Because the versatile 172 suits the needs of student pilots and first-time airplane buyers so well, demand for the type is strong and steady. Good examples tend to be snapped up quickly.

While the 172 has been used as a trainer for generations, its four-seat cabin and all-around greater capability compared with smaller two-seat trainers make it seem overqualified for the job. Next to its smaller, less-capable relative, the Cessna 150, the 172 Skyhawk looks more like a family transporter than a simple trainer.

The aircraft for sale today has a particularly desirable modification—a 180 hp engine that replaced its original 150 hp powerplant. The extra 30 horsepower makes a significant difference in how the airplane performs and represents a sweet spot to many pilots who say the 172 should have been available from the factory with the stronger engine.

The interior includes a neat, spacious baggage compartment [Credit: Hiller Aviation]

This 1974 Cessna Skyhawk has 4,818 hours on the airframe and 678 hours on its 180 hp Lycoming O-360-A4M engine and Sensenich propeller. The aircraft, which was repainted in 1996, is equipped with electric flaps, vortex generators, and BAS shoulder harnesses, and has a useful load of 847 pounds.

The panel includes a TKM MX300 nav/com, RT-328D VHF com radio, JPI 830 engine monitor, and L3 NGT 9000 transponder with ADS-B In and Out,

Pilots looking for a practical, versatile aircraft with upgraded power and eye-catching, vintage colors should consider this 1974 Cessna 172M Skyhawk, which is available for $164,900 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use our airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.