CESSNA
MODEL 172N
SECTION 7
AIRPLANE & SYSTEMS DESCRIPTIONS
altimeter are located to the left and right of the gyros, respectively. The
remainder of the flight instruments are located around the basic "T".
Engine instruments, fuel quantity indicators, an ammeter, and a low
voltage warning light a.re near the left edge of the panel. Avionics
equipment is stacked approximately on the centerline of the panel, with
the right side of the panel containing space for additional instruments and
avionics equipment. A switch and control panel at the lower edge of the
instrument panel contains the primer, master and ignition switches,
avionics power switch, circuit breakers, and electrical switches on the left
side, with the engine controls, light intensity controls, and static pressure
al tern ate source valve in the center. The right side of the switch and control
panel contains the wing flap switch lever and position indicator, cabin
heat and air controls, cigar lighter, and map compartment. A control
pedestal, installed below the switch and control panel, contains the
elevator trim control wheel and position indicator, and provides a bracket
for the microphone. A rudder trim control lever may be installed below the
trim wheel and microphone bracket. The fuel selector valve handle is
located at the base of the pedestal. A parking brake handle is mounted
below the switch and control panel in front of the pilot.
For details concerning the instruments, switches, circuit breakers, and
controls on this panel, refer in this section to the description of the systems
to which these items are related.
GROUND CONTROL
Effective ground control while taxiing is accomplished through nose
wheel steering by using the rudder pedals; left rudder pedal to steer left and
right rudder pedal to steer right. When a rudder pedal is depressed, a
spring-loaded steering bungee (which is connected to the nose gear and to
the rudder bars) will turn the nose wheel through an arc of approximately
10
°
ea.ch side of center. By applying either left or right brake, the degree of
turn may be increased up to 30
°
each side of center.
Moving the airplane by hand is most easily accomplished by attaching
a tow bar to the nose gear strut. If a tow bar is not available, or pushing is
required, use the wing struts as push points. Do not use the vertical or
horizontal surfaces to move the airplane. If the airplane is to be towed by
vehicle, never turn the nose wheel more than 30
°
either side of center or
structural damage to the nose gear could result.
The minimum turning radius of the airplane, using differential
braking and nose wheel steering during taxi, is approximately 27 feet
5
and
1/ 2 inches. To obtain a minimum radius turn during ground handling, the
airplane may be rotated around either main landing gear by pressing down
on a tail cone bulkhead just forward of the horizontal stabilizer to raise the
nose wheel off the ground.
1 July 1979
7-9
