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Navigating the Lure of Added Power

It can make more financial sense to buy an airplane that has already had the upgrade installed rather than purchase a stock airplane and do it later.

The oval bumps on the sides of the cowling are a dead giveaway. This Cessna 172 is packing a lot more horsepower than a standard 172. [Credit: Jim Stevenson]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

Back when I belonged to a flying club in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it had one plane that stood out from the rest. It was N1412V, a red-and-white 1974 Cessna 172M Skyhawk. It sported an orange-and-white vinyl interior, complete with sweet chrome trim.

Majestic as the interior was, however, it was the 180 hp engine upgrade that made it everyone’s favorite. 

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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