Cessna 172 Skyhawk vs Cessna 182 Skylane vs Cirrus Sr20 G6

The Cessna Skyhawk (172) is the archetypal four-seat trainer and personal aircraft, typically flown in the fixed-gear, piston single category. It generally carries up to four people, but real-world payload often means two to three adults plus baggage with full fuel. Its range commonly falls around roughly 600–800 nautical miles depending on model, power setting, and reserves, making it well suited to local flying and moderate cross-countries. The Cessna Skylane (182) is also a fixed-gear, piston single, but positioned as a higher-performance, heavier-duty four-seater. It usually offers more useful load and better climb and cruise than a Skyhawk, making carrying four people and bags more practical. Typical range is broadly similar or somewhat better, often around about 700–900 nautical miles depending on configuration. The Cirrus SR20 G6 is a modern composite, piston single in the same general class, with advanced avionics and the Cirrus parachute system. It seats four, but like the Skyhawk, full-fuel, four-adult trips can be payload-limited. Range is typically in the same ballpark, often about 600–800 nautical miles.