Aircraft Maintenance Officer: Daniel Mann — contact information on Flight Circle.
Cleaning & oil
Please wipe the aircraft down when you get back from your flight. Spray bottles, terry towels, and microfiber towels are on the shelf in the hangar. Use the terry towels and spray bottle marked airframe for the airframe, and the microfiber towels with the windscreen spray bottle for the windscreen.
The aircraft uses AeroShell W100 Plus oil (red bottle). Bottles are on the hangar shelf — place empty bottles in the box marked empty oil near the new bottles.
Important before-flight information
- The airspeed indicator outer ring is in MPH.
- The mixture control is push-pull — not a vernier knob; do not turn it.
- The flap actuator is a toggle with three positions (UP – NEUTRAL – DOWN) and no indents or gates. Actuation is shown on a panel instrument. The toggle must be returned to NEUTRAL after each desired actuation to stop flap movement. Leaving it in UP or DOWN can run the flaps through their full travel and risk flap-motor damage.
- Review all information for the aircraft by clicking its tail number in Flight Circle before flight. A checkout on N91PA is recommended even if you are already checked out on our other 172.
Avionics upgrade
The panel includes a Garmin GNX 375 GPS/transponder (touchscreen), Garmin GMA 345 audio panel, Garmin GNC 215 NAV/COM, Garmin GTR 205 COM, and a pair of Garmin GI 275s configured as PFD and HSI. The GNX 375 provides ADS-B In to EFB apps over Bluetooth. The GMA 345 provides Bluetooth for audio accessories. The tail beacon is on a separate switch from the master. Legacy instruments have LED lighting adjustable with the dimmer knob.
- The GNX 375 interface is almost identical to the GNC 355 in N2238G; the GTR 205 matches the COM interface of the GNC 215.
- Navigation and strobe lights are Whelen LED units. The beacon will not turn on automatically with the master.
- A new Davtron panel clock replaces the original non-functioning unit.
- Pilot guides are in the FILES section of Flight Circle. Consider daytime VFR (or flying with an instructor) on your first flight with the new avionics.
Garmin GPS Trainer Aviation App — also see the N91PA files on the Flight Circle dashboard for Garmin pilot guides and other references.
Based at Spirit of St. Louis (KSUS) Million Air hangar B-7. Available as a trainer — bring your own CFI; STL Aviators is a flying club, not a flight school.
Weight & balance
NetLeader Aviator Weight and Balance Calculator
FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
For educational purposes only. These calculators use the current basic W&B data on file for each aircraft but are not for official flight planning. As Pilot in Command, reference the aircraft POH and the current weight & balance documents for your flight. You are solely responsible for correct, accurate calculations before flight.
Graphs reflect Normal Category limits. For Utility Category, confirm CG envelope data in the POH for that aircraft. Figures do not include start, taxi, and run-up fuel credit.
Calculator tools powered by NetLeader Aviator.
Type specifications
For informational purposes only. These are typical published figures for this type and may not match this airframe exactly. Each pilot is solely responsible for flight planning against the airplane's current POH, weight and balance, and other official documentation (including Flight Circle files).
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320 · 160 HP (as equipped)
- Propeller
- Fixed pitch
- Cruise (75%)
- ~120 KTAS
- Max speed
- ~125 KTAS
- Rate of climb
- ~645 fpm
- Service ceiling
- ~13,100 ft
- Fuel (standard)
- 42 gal total / 38 usable
- Max takeoff weight
- 2,300 lbs
- Useful load (typical)
- ~900 lbs
- Stall (flaps down)
- ~44 KCAS
- Seats
- 4