Cessna has been one of the most popular aircraft manufacturers since its inception, especially when it comes to small, piston-powered aircraft.
Cessna aircraft are able to fly distances over 1,500 km or 932 miles or 809 nmi. Some Cessna aircraft can even fly further depending on their fuel storage, weather conditions, and wind speed.
It costs between $250 to $400 to fill the fuel tank of a Cessna plane.
In this article, we take a look at how far some of the most popular models of Cessna planes can fly, and what factors determine how far a Cessna can fly.
The Cessna 150, which is the world’s 5th most popular plane to ever be produced, is mostly used for flight training, nowadays.
There have been 23,839 units produced.
The Cessna 150 has a maximum range of 420 nmi or 480 miles or 780 km. It also has a cruising speed of 82 kn or 94 mph or 152 km/h at an altitude of 10,000 ft or 3,050m.
Cessna 152
The Cessna 152 was developed from the previous 150 variants, but features a more powerful engine and a longer overhaul time.
The Cessna 152’s maximum range is 415nmi or 477 miles or 769 km. It has a cruising speed of 123 mph or 190 km/h or 107 kn at 14,700 feet or 4,500 m.
Although the Cessna 152 isn’t still being manufactured, there are many still in the skies.
The Cessna 172 has a maximum range of 686 nmi or 801 miles or 1,289km.
It can also fly with 45 minutes reserve at 55% at a height of 12,000 feet or 3,657 m.
Cessna 180
The Cessna 180 Skywagon was produced between 1953 and 1981.
It has a maximum range of 890 nmi or 1,020miles or 1,650 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 142kn or 163 mph or 263 km/h at a height of 17,700 feet or 5,400 m.
Cessna 182
The Cessna 182 Skylane has a maximum range of 930 nmi or 1,070 miles or 1,720 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 145kn or 167 mph or 269 km/h at a height of 18,100 feet or 5,500 m.
Cessna 185
The Cessna 185 first production model was released in 1961 and features non-retractable landing gears and a tailwheel.
It has a maximum range of 720 nmi or 830 miles or 1,330 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 145kn or 167 mph or 269 km/h at a height of 17,150 feet or 5,230 m.
Cessna 206
The Cessna 206 is mostly known as the Stationair, but it’s also marketed as the Super Skywagon.
The Cessna 206 is generally used for both commercial and personal use.
It has a maximum range of 730 nmi or 840 miles or 1,350 km.
It also cruises at a height of 6,500 feet or 2,000m with a maximum fuel reserve of 45 minutes.
Cessna 208
The Cessna 208 Caravan is a utility plane that was developed in 1982. The Cessna 208 was certified in 1984 by the FAA, and FedEx developed the freighter variant of the aircraft.
It has a maximum range of 1,070 nmi or 1,232 miles or 1,982 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 186 kn or 213 mph or 344 km/h at a height of 25,000 feet or 7,600 m.
Cessna 210
The Cessna 210 was produced from 1957 till 1986 and has 6 seats.
It has a maximum range of 900 nmi or 1,000 miles or 1,700 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 193 kn or 222 mph or 357 km/h at a height of 20,000 feet or 6,100 m at 80% power.
Cessna 310
The Cessna 310 is a twin-engine monoplane that was produced between 1954 and 1980.
It has a maximum range of 870 nmi or 1,000miles or 1,600 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 178 kn or 205 mph or 330 km/h.
Cessna 340
The Cessna 340 is a twin piston engine business aircraft.
It has a maximum range of 1,406 nmi or 1,618miles or 2,604 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 244 kn or 281 mph or 452 km/h.
Cessna 400
The Cessna 400, or Cessna TTx, is a single-engine plane that Cessna stopped producing in 2018.
It has a maximum range of 1,107 nmi or 1,274 miles or 2,050 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 235 kn or 270 mph or 435 km/h at a height of 25,000 feet or 7,600 m.
Cessna 510
The Cessna 520 Mustang is a light-weight aircraft that was launched at the 2002 NBAA convention, and it ceased production in 2017 with only 479 units having been built.
It has a maximum range of 1,167 nmi or 1,343 miles or 2,261 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 340 kn or 390 mph or 630 km/h.
Cessna 525
The Cessna 525 is a series of light business planes that were launched in 1989.
The Cessna 525 was first flown in 1991, and it received FAA certification in 1992.
The Cessna 525 has a maximum range of 1,550 nmi or 1,020miles or 1,783 km.
It also cruises at a speed of 404 kn or 464 mph or 748 km/h.
Cessna Citation
The Cessna Citation is a set of business planes produced from 1972.
Over 8,000 Citations have been produced and delivered till 2022, and they’ve collectively logged over 41 million flight hours.
The latest Cessna Citation model is the Cessna 700, which has a maximum range of 3,500 nmi or 4,038 miles or 6,482 km.
It also cruises at 484 kn or 556 mph or 895 km/h.
What Determines How Far a Cessna Can Fly?
Multiple factors influence how far a Cessna can fly, including the plane’s fuel capacity, takeoff weight, speed, and wind speed.
Fuel Capacity
Generally, larger planes have larger fuel tanks, which means that larger planes can fly further.
The average Cessna plane can store 2,200 gallons of fuel.
In contrast, large commercial planes like the Airbus a380 store upwards of 82,000 gallons of fuel.
Takeoff Weight
The more weight an aircraft carries, the more power it needs. So the less luggage and passengers on a Cessna plane, the further it can fly.
Aircraft Speed
The speed which gives the maximum range for a given aircraft weight and altitude is called the best range speed.
If a Cessna flies faster than the best range speed, the drag and fuel flow increases, which means that it won’t be able to fly as far.
Wind Speed
Wind speed can affect an aircraft’s range.
When wind blows in the same direction as the aircraft, it carries the plane with it and reduces the engine’s burden.
Conversely, if the wind blows in the opposite direction, then it increases the engine’s burden and more power is required for the plane to fly.
Can Cessna or Piper Planes Fly Further?
Objectively, Cessna planes have better visibility when cruising than Piper aircraft, so they have an advantage over Piper airplanes in that respect.
Generally, though, when it comes to range, neither manufacturer has a distance advantage. Similar Cessna and Piper planes have the same ranges.
For example, the Cessna 208 Sky Caravan has a range of 1100 nmi while the Piper PA-46 has a range of 1,300 nmi.
In conclusion, Cessna planes can fly long distances. Depending on the model, they can easily fly over 1,500 km or 932 miles or 809 nmi.
Helen Krasner holds a PPL(A), with 15 years experience flying fixed-wing aircraft; a PPL(H), with 13 years experience flying helicopters; and a CPL(H), Helicopter Instructor Rating, with 12 years working as a helicopter instructor.
Helen is an accomplished aviation writer with 12 years of experience, having authored several books and published numerous articles while also serving as the Editor of the BWPA (British Women Pilots Association) newsletter, with her excellent work having been recognized with her nomination of the “Aviation Journalist of the Year” award.
Helen has won the “Dawn to Dusk” International Flying Competition, along with the best all-female competitors, three times with her copilot.
