Cessna 177B Cardinal

Overview

The Cessna 177B Cardinal is a four-seat, fixed-gear, single-engine airplane with a constant-speed propeller and a 180 hp Lycoming O-360-A1F6D engine. Its low-wing placement and forward-sliding cabin windows distinguish its cockpit and sight picture from the high-wing 172, while its fixed landing gear avoids the gear-management procedures of the retractable 177RG.

This page follows the 1977 Model 177B handbook and its standard tank basis. The same handbook treats the standard Cardinal and Cardinal II as separate loading configurations, with different maximum useful loads. Equipment, serial number, modifications, and the airplane's current weight and balance record still determine data for a specific aircraft.

Performance

The handbook gives a cruise speed of 130 kt at 75 percent power and 10,000 ft. Its corresponding range figure is 535 nm with 49 gallons usable fuel. The handbook's range method includes allowances for engine start, taxi, takeoff, climb, and a 45-minute reserve at 45 percent power. The figure is therefore tied to those assumptions, not a prediction for a particular trip.

Climb performance changes with altitude and conditions. The handbook gives best rate of climb speeds from 79 KIAS at sea level to 70 KIAS at 10,000 ft. It identifies 65 KIAS as best angle of climb at 10,000 ft, and also specifies that speed for obstacle clearance in its procedure. Use the handbook chart for the applicable weight, pressure altitude, and temperature. Density altitude tools can demonstrate the trend but do not replace the aircraft's published chart.

V-speeds

The 1977 handbook marks VNO 138 KIAS as the upper limit of the normal operating range and VNE 167 KIAS as the red-line limit. The flap schedule is staged: the handbook lists 113 KIAS through 10 degrees and 90 KIAS from 10 to 30 degrees. Check the aircraft's own markings and handbook before applying either flap limit.

The VX and VY glossary entries describe the general meanings of these speeds. They do not replace the altitude-specific climb guidance in the Cardinal handbook.

Weight and balance

The handbook lists 967 lb maximum useful load for the standard Cardinal and 940 lb for Cardinal II. These are handbook configuration values, not guaranteed payloads for individual airplanes. Optional equipment and later alterations change basic empty weight.

Standard tanks hold 50 gal total, of which the handbook identifies 49 gal as usable for the range calculation. Long-range tanks are a separate 61-gallon installation. Fuel, occupants, and baggage must be checked against the actual airplane's weight and center of gravity envelope. The weight and balance calculator is for training and reference only.

Training notes

The 177B offers a useful transition discussion for pilots familiar with high-wing Cessnas. Its low-wing view, constant-speed propeller, staged flap limit, and two tank options make it distinct from a basic 172 checkout. The handbook's climb speeds also demonstrate why a published value must retain its altitude and configuration context instead of appearing as one universal number.

Variants

The standard Cardinal and Cardinal II are both fixed-gear Model 177Bs, but their example empty weights and useful loads differ in the handbook. The 177RG is a separate retractable-gear model. Its limitations and performance should not be blended into this record.

Sources

The figures and variant notes on this page are based on the Cessna 1977 Model 177B Pilot's Operating Handbook, D1084-13. Its performance values describe specific handbook conditions. Confirm serial applicability, revisions, equipment, and aircraft records before using any number.