Sharing a Cessna 172L
31 Cessna 172Ls in the US are registered to co-owners who aren't married to each other — ranking #44 nationwide among all shared general aviation aircraft models (July 2026). Here's what those partnerships look like and what each partner actually pays.
31
FAA Registry Data#44
Of 79 top shared models1971
Manufacture Year2 Owners: 29
3: 2 | 4: 0 | 5+: 0Worked Cost Example: Cessna 172L
Direct operating cost for a 2-partner group — the most common Cessna 172L arrangement on the registry — flying 100 hours a year between them. These are the costs of running the aircraft, not a club rental rate, which would add a margin on top.
Lycoming O-320. 8.5 gal/hr at $6.75, plus $28k overhaul spread over 2000 hours, plus $10/hr for oil, tyres, brakes and the prop fund. Check them against your own hangar, insurance and shop rates before using them for anything that matters.
$637.50 / partner / mo
Calculated at 50 hrs/yr per partner (8.3 hrs/mo total group flight time). Fixed dues cover fixed overhead, while flight hours bill exact operating time plus engine overhaul escrow.
Interactive Cessna 172L Cost Calculator
Where Cessna 172L Aircraft Are Shared
The top US states with the highest concentration of registered co-owned Cessna 172L aircraft:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Cessna 172L aircraft are co-owned in the US?
According to official FAA registry data as of July 2026, there are 31 co-owned Cessna 172L aircraft registered in the United States, making it the #44 most popular shared aircraft model.
What is the typical partnership size for a Cessna 172L?
Of the 31 co-owned Cessna 172L aircraft on the registry, 29 are held by two owners, 2 by three, 0 by four and 0 by five or more. Most Cessna 172L groups therefore run with 2 partners, which is the split used in the worked example above.
What are the main states where Cessna 172L aircraft are co-owned?
The top states for co-owned Cessna 172L aircraft are California (5), Washington (3), Texas (2), Indiana (2), Alabama (2).
What should the hourly engine reserve be on a Cessna 172L?
The Cessna 172L runs a Lycoming O-320. A field overhaul is around $28k against a 2000-hour TBO, which works out at roughly $14.00 per hour set aside. Partnerships that skip this end up asking each other for a four-figure cheque when the engine reaches TBO.