EGT
Carb Air Temp
Hobbs Meter
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Exterior: 8/10
Interior: 8.5/10
Comments:
The 180 Cutlass RG is basically the Cessna 172 with retractable gear and a constant speed prop with a bigger engine. For a 4 seater cessna this airplane has quite good specs. It has an average useful load of 1103lbs. Minus fuel, that leaves about 641 possible pounds of passenger or cargo. With an optimum cruise speed of 140 knots and an optimum range of 720nm the Cutlass is both fast and safe for your average single engine aircraft in this price range. The current owner has kept the ac hangared.
Efficiency:
The efficiency on this aircraft is excellent for it's size. First, considering the constant speed prop, retractable landing gear, a fuel capacity of 66 gallons (62 useable) and the 180 Hp engine the plane still has a useful load of just over 1100 lbs. When compared to a 1974 172M model which carries 42 gallons, has a smaller engine and fixed pitch prop and has a useful load of only 1000 lbs, the Cutlass is far more efficient.
Second, speed. the cutlass has an optimum speed of 140kts (161mph) compared with the 172M speed of 135mph. When the cutlass also has an optimum range of over 720nm (830 miles) and 5.3 hours. Compare with the range of the 172M of 635 miles and 4.7 hours.
A 500 mile trip in the Cutlass would take roughly 3.1 hours, burning 36.2 gallons of fuel. The 172 M would take just over 3.7 hours, burning 33.3 gallons of fuel. That's over 36 minutes faster, carrying over 100 lbs more cargo and/or passengers while only using slightly more fuel than the widely used 172M model. This particular cutlass also has excellent radios and an auto pilot, both of which are in perfect working condition that will add to the efficiency of traveling. Trips over 600 miles or multiple trips that total over 600 miles are much more efficient in the Cutlass just because the need to fill up within this distance range is non existent where stops to refuel with a 172 will be required.
With the Cutlass you are paying for more speed with greater range and carrying capacity without having to move up to a size of aircraft greater than a 172. This is great for the pilot ready to upgrade from his 172 to a retractable gear and constant speed prop, but who does not want to pay for a 182 or Cardinal size aircraft and the fuel burn that goes along with these planes.
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