Cessna Cardinal 177RG full review | 1000 mile flight | Performance and Comparison 

As a pilot myself, I have never seen a better and more detailed informational video about an airplane. And the voice of this lady is extremely mellow and inviting to continue listening attentively. Thank you.

Couldn’t ask for a more thorough review.

Excellent video. Back in the '70s I needed some night cross-country time for my commercial license and took my wife and a buddy along to fly a near new RG from San Jose Muni to Palm Springs and back which is about 800 miles total. Both my passengers said it was one of the best flying experiences ever! What a plane! A few years later, I almost bought a fixed gear 177, but it had too many problems and on the way home we stopped at another airport to see what might be posted on the forsale board and saw a beautiful Bonanza and ended up buying it. Loved that plane, but the Cardinal will always be my FIRST love! To me it is still one of the most beautiful production light planes ever built. Hated when Cessna discontinued it.

I’ve owned my 76RG for 42 years; since Feb. 1978 when it was just over 1 year old, and have flown it all over the US, including multiple trips crossing the Rockies. This video review is probably the most accurate and fair review I’ve seen on a Cardinal RG. It is a wonderful, comfortable, stable and efficient cross-country airplane, which performs very well at altitudes above those of most other normally aspirated SE airplanes. I’ve flown numerous long cross-county flights between 14,000’ to 17,500’ to take advantage of strong tailwinds. One such trip was at 15,500’ from Seattle, WA, to Oshkosh, WI, with only one fuel stop at Helena, MT. Due to the thin air ay 15,500’, TAS was down to around 130 kts, but with the tailwinds my ground speeds ran between 180 - 200 kts, while burning 6.5 GPH fuel. (This was with the stock normally aspirated 200 HP engine.) At altitudes below 8,000’ I normally see 148 kts TAS, burning 9.5 GPH at a LOP fuel settings. A couple things not mentioned in the video. (1) Adding the PowerFlow tuned exhaust system is a significant performance improvement to the stock IO-360 engine in the Cardinal RG. I documented a 20% reduction in time to climb from sea level to 18,000’ in multiple performance tests. (2) There are numerous other performance improvement options such as turbo-charging or upgrading to an IO-390 engine. (3) The Cardinals have one of the most avid owner groups supported by cardinalflyers.com. (CFO)

terrific job..its good to see folks holding up the older namebrand aircraft..I soloed in a 1971 Cardinal with the 150 Lycoming.. 3 best landings i ever did,,always enjoyed rhe entire cardinal line..my only gripe was over the dash visibility..im 6 feet tall..that aircraft cost my father $6500 in 1973.. it had i believe 650 tt avgas was 80-87 octane red..at about $.87/gal.. my how everything has changed..all except the thrill of breaking ground, defying death and cheating gravity yet one more time, my flying career is over now with 14,000 hours.. i would not have traded it for anything...keep up the good work, to you and your crew, many thanks

I own an early 177RG and find this video to be accurate. They are great cross country machines, the views are great, the fuel economy is excellent, the controls are light and very responsive, and the cabin is big enough for my very ample frame. While all Cardinal RG's are different, I did weigh mine twice, mine has a useful load of 1017 pounds. Even with the entire interior including seats, plastics, carpets, all of the lead-vinyl sound damping, insulation and some avionics removed, and of course all the fuel and oil, my plane weighed in at 100 pounds more than the factory claimed in the original paperwork. It is a good idea to weigh these, as Cessna pushed the limits with the truth. Or maybe filled the entire plane with helium prior to weighing.

Now this is the way an aircraft review should be produced. This lady deserves three plane sales in a day.

Great video- thorough and kept my attention. Thanks!

I actually flew this Plane 3 years ago:) a wonderful piece

Very nice video on the Cardinal. The Cardinal was, and remains, a favorite. Stay safe and continue producing long form videos, this helps to grow the GA community. Cheers!!

Just found your channel. So impressed! Possibly the best pilot aviation presentation I've seen - clear, thorough, practical and useful. Well done! I've also always had a crush on the Cardinals. Your walk through inspired me to work harder towards that goal. Thank you!

What a wonderful review and even better aircraft!!!

Not even a minute into this video, and I am so appreciative the headset you’re using. Outstanding sound quality! Thanks!

Great video. Very good detail. I love the upgraded avionics. It seems like a very nice plane.

Wow, that’s an amazing Cardinal and very detailed. This is exactly my goal to own one day. This exact one.

Love the video and the cardinal, thank you!

Outstanding overview of the Cardinal, so detailed and professional! The instrument panel retrofit looks superb.

Great video, thank you for sharing I know that took a ton of work so Bravo 👏 . Love the bird, panel is amazing. We flew a pair of C310's over the years with a brief stint in a 172 after we slide off the runway in our 55 310 and had to replace a wing, that was in the 70's & I was like 7. Take care and keep em coming 😉

Yep. No hype. When this woman says it’s the most detailed review out there, it really is the most detailed review on YT. Ditto for her others reviews. Great channel.

You make the best airplane tour videos!!!! Thank you very much for sharing. BTW, that’s a beautiful Cardinal!

Great video. Did much of my instrument training and check ride in the RG. That was in the early 70's and of course no glass panels then, but did have a HSI. This was in Hawaii and made a great weekend rental for comfortable trips between the islands. It was definitely a plane you loved to fly.

An excellent video. Your detailed information on the various aspects of the aircraft was top notch.

That’s a very beautiful Cardinal!

Amazing details...very elobrative on the technical specifications,kudos

Flew a lease back Cardinal 177, 180 hp. constant speed propeller, fixed gear out of Santa Monica CA in the 1970's- early 1980. The check flight was very easy moving up from the C-172 and that extra 30 hp made a huge difference in climb and cruise. Landing was a piece of cake with the all fly stabilizer. sitting in front of the leading edge made clearing turns much easier compared to the C-172. A real joy to fly.

Fantastic content as usual. What a great airplane...thanks!

Very nice explanation for the Cardinal 177rg Haitham

Excellent and thorough review. Well-researched and presented. Thanks for sharing why many of us Cardinal owners love our planes!

Very nice airplane! I really like Cardinals, and this one with that panel is beyond awesome. Nice review as well.

Always love your informative videos. Nice to see you sharing your joy of aviation with your daughter.

This Cardinal is gonna be mine! Hey I love your videos! Greetings from Colombia 🇨🇴

A fantastic video of my favourite aeroplane. It flies like a dream.

Very good, thank you. I‘ve liked this airplane for quite a while, your video just confirms this.

Love these videos. Cheers!

I flew a 177RG during college in the late 1970s for commercial/instrument. I very much liked the aircraft.

It never registered with me that the RG gave 180 knots. I guess I might be "challenged" after all. I've always loved this airframe. It's beautiful, it's spacious, (I am large) and now I learn... it is fast! Maybe if we live in the hanger we could have one.

Great video, thanks. I bought a '76RG a couple of years ago. It took more than a year, but I completely upgraded it including paint, custom interior, a full Garmin panel including 2 G3Xi's and a GFC500 plus the audio, radio, transponder, etc. I also installed a LIDAR ground proximity system and micro VGs. The engine was recently overhauled so all in I have what amounts to a new plane with higher capabilities than most for less than half what a factory new one would cost. This is a route I highly recommend to anyone considering buying an overpriced new airplane.

Great informative video and a sweet example of a Cardinal.

I've always liked Cessna Cardinals, and your video helped me learn how one may create a fabulous IFR and X-C aircraft. Thank you for sharing!

I got my instrument rating and CFII back in 1968 in an original fixed gear underpowered Cardinal. Later that plane was modified to 180hp with a CS prop. It made it a perfect combination of hp, and prop. I loved that plane.

Yeah. Thoroughly enjoyed the video presentation. Clarity speed and information was perfect for a non pilot. Beautiful plane BTW.

Great presentation. Beautiful aircraft. Thank you

Wonderful review! Looking to get one of these and this helped completely make up my mind! I think the listed shoulder width is closer to 48" (but that's at the seats not where you measured). Bottom line: it's rooomy!

I learned to fly the RG on Microsoft Flight Simulator. :) Thanks for the very detailed review.

Well explained! Very nice aircraft.

Great video and review. The part that stuck out with me, was the exceptional parenting.

Thank you for such a detailed and useful video. First time owners and buyers must watch it.

Love that your daughter fly's on instruments when not being able to see over the panel. And if she gets enough hours of course she would make the better instrument pilot. Love flying the 177RG out of Reid Hillview in Northern CA after getting my license. While I loved the 172, the 177 was more fun and more comfortable. Tnks for a great video ride.

love this plane, wish i could buy it

You have a unique channel, keep it up. Subscribed.

Nice review. I love it! I only wish I could afford it.

Another great video, thanks. You very nearly convinced me to trade in my M20J for a 177RG😀

Nice video. Thank you. Lucky to have an IFR copilot!

Always good. Thanks

Nice full review. I would love to have seen a bit more about true airspeed at rich and lean of peak with fuel flows. Thanks!

Nice long video thanks for info, i fly RC planes end build already an RC Plane Cessna cardinal. I love this model!

Another great video. Didn't realize the secondary display was an iPad. Such a clean setup. I wish I could afford this particular model right now. This is currently my dream plane.

Hi good morning thanks of share your video,,, this Cardinale its an luxe aircraft,,, lm fan of the aviation and comes intersting and fun hear and see your explanation,,, once again thanks and congrautlations,,, greetings of your friend Oscar de Playa del Carmen Q R México,,,

Excellent overview…

Very comprehensive review. As are all your videos.

another great video!! i kinda favor the green 177 that you had earlier

I'm impressed that you know the mechanics of the plane so well. Too many pilots know nothing more than checking the oil and turning the key.

what a great plane you have. Thanks for sharing.

If you come across a Flight Design CTLS I would love to see your detailed review. I really enjoyed the RV12 review thanks

Awesome video also

Good nigth,,, thanks for your video of this special aircraft Cardinal with a clear lines,,, and beauty silouet,,, a coment,,, lm a fan of the airplanes,,, thanks once again,,, your friend Oscar de Pachuca HGo Estados Unidos Mexicanos,,, so long,,,

Beautiful video my Friend!!!. Awesome tour over de C.177; all I have to enquirer is how much does this plane cost on sale?, for our runaways here it would be better with a fixed landing gear!. I’m from Argentine Patagonia. Thank you.

Unmissable and amazing video!

Great information

Thanks for sharing

Very nice presentation

You panel is so dope. Can you do video on cost to upgrade your panel? I am looking to purchase a 177rg in the near future, thanks 😊

I learned to fly in this aircraft type. Is my first love.

Wow! I did not realize you were a pilot. I thought you was just a pretty face talking about airplanes. Great content.

I want it!

I'm sorry I don't know your name so I'll call you captain, OK. Captain, you're a wonderful pilot and presenter. Also you're a beautiful woman with great talent. I love your videos so you've convinced me and now I'm a subscriber. Please keep up the great work you do.

Cessna hit a home run with this bird. Its a shame that they didnt continue building this bird. Pops had one long ago and it was fun to fly.

Cám ơn video chia sẻ của bạn rất hay, chúc bạn sức khỏe và hạnh phúc.

Maybe a video 20 mins or so would be suffice? Possibly a part II for in-depth review? 40+ minutes sounds intimidatingly long possibly? To each is own I suppose

I have a lot of time in the 177 and if I could have a plane this would be the one .

Dear Pilot, could you share (if you tried) economy settings for a long trip ? Thanks in advance, Andres

The "Fancy" high cost computer/electronics is nice. But remember aircraft were flying just fine FOR 90 YEARS, without a single computer on board. I've seen younger pilots nearly wet their pants when those screens go dark! Even on a CAVU day! Well us old timers have no problem flying either way! 😉

Great job I would love to fly with you you do a great job…..

Watched that one being restored at my old airport TPF!

Nice Cardinal and review..pretty cool to see your daughter enjoying aviation with you One thing you skipped over was the pilot views in turns ..with the seating position and leading edge of the wing set further back than other Cessnas the view into a turn is much better

I'm surprised you still have a vacuum pump, since I don't see a vacuum ADI installed. Does it drive any other instrument? It's an impressive Cardinal, and I look forward to seeing it at Oshkosh if the next owner flies it there as part of the Cessnas2Oshkosh mass arrival (highly recommended!).

Great plane! I use to fly a 177 R/T. Yes, a retractable with a Turbo Charger! Fun plane! As for this one, that panel is AWESOME! But if you're spending that much money, why splurge for Backlit Standby Instruments? That would've taken it over the top!

You mentioned about the three blade prop, give your recommendation not to change to it due to the expenses, but you didn't make mention of what the difference is performance speed such like that, just wondering that if it was time for a new prop anyway or possibly some other reason you needed a new prop with the benefits would be

A very nicely done video. Really informative. By the time I saw this, the plane was sold. Does anyone have an idea of the asking price?

this channel rules

One question. I didn't see a backup mechanical AI yet the plane still has a vacuum pump. What is its purpose? A few minor corrections; -FG Cardinals were first sold in 1968 not 1967 as stated. -The final RG landing gear improvement was introduced in 1976, not 1974 as stated. The 1974-75 models had the third generation of landing gear system. I have a 1973 model and, although my 2nd generation system is considered suboptimal, my landing gear has not failed in 20 yrs and 3000 hours of flight, so that should not be a deal breaker if you're considering purchasing a 177RG. Great video. Beautiful plane. Thanks.

I have a 73RG and it's so easy for my wheelchair bound son can enter and exit with ease.

Is there a (backup) CDI for Nav2 or do you rely on the G500?

Which is the best two seater plane with yoke control to travel around the world?

What’s TBO? Ad says 2500 on the current engine, so already needs replacement?

I always liked the Cardinal. Unfortunately, as a young 20 year old, I parked the rental facing down wind and did not have a good grasp on the door handle when I started to get out. Wasn't pretty. Got a good scolding from the FBO lol

How tall are you? I'm just trying to gauge how much legroom the rear passengers have (and how tall the wing is as you didn't bump your head)

Can you tell something about 177RG with Lycoming 390 engine ?

The cardinal is one of the best in class four seaters. Extremely easy to fly and get in and out of. Very comfortable. I would stick with the fixed gear. The only thing it lacks is 250hp turbo...

I better get this one out