Many Faces of the Cessna 172 Skyhawk

Discover the many faces of today's 172 as a modern science meets a classic.

With more than 43,000 built, Cessna's 172 ranks as the most successful light airplane ever.

Redbird's Skyhawk project, which it calls the "Redhawk," takes an existing Skyhawk and makes it like a new training airplane, with a Centurion 2.0 turbodiesel engine, new flat-panel avionics, a new comfy but utilitarian interior, an airframe overhaul and new paint. (Photo by Isabel Goyer)

The refurbished Redhawk comes jam-packed with features, including the Garmin G500 cockpit. Read more about the Redhawks here. (Photo by Isabel Goyer)

Powered by Continental's CD-135 turbodiesel engine, the Premier Skyhawk sips jet-A fuel. (Photo by Stephen Pope)

A closer look at Continental's CD-135 turbodiesel engine. (Photo by Stephen Pope)

A partnership among the Africair Group of Companies has been converting avgas Skyhawks to diesel birds for more than a decade.

The Skyhawk diesel, now called the 172 JT-A, is equipped with a more powerful version of the same engine, but one that is far more reliable and better supported than the original. Read more about the Cessna 172 JT-A here.

Sporty's launched the 172LITE trainer, which it is offering to flight schools and flying clubs for a fraction of the cost of a new Cessna Skyhawk. Read more about Sporty's 172LITE here.