Cessna 172’s flight control system consists of conventional aileron, rudder, and elevator control surfaces.
The control surfaces are manually operated through mechanical linkage using a control wheel for the ailerons and elevator, and rudder/brake pedals for the rudder.
Last is a manually operated elevator trim system which is adjusted by the elevator trim tab using the vertically mounted trim control wheel.
Empennage
Cessna 172
The empennage consists of a conventional vertical stabilizer, rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator.
The vertical stabilizer consists of a spar, formed sheet metal ribs and reinforcements, a wraparound skin panel, and formed leading edge skin.
The rudder is constructed of a formed leading edge skin containing hinge halves.
Airframe
The Cessna 172 is an all metal, high wing, single engine airplane equipped with tricycle landing gear, and is designed for general utility purposes.
The overall construction of the fuselage is a conventional formed sheet metal bulkhead, stringer, and skin design which is referred to as SEMI MONOCOQUE.
The externally braced wings, containing the fuel tanks are constructed of a front and rear spar with formed sheet metal ribs, and the entire aircraft is covered with a aluminum skin.
Empennage continued...
Ailerons & Flaps
The horizontal stabilizer is constructed of a forward and aft spar, ribs, and formed leading edge skins.
The horizontal stabilizer also contains the elevator trim tab actuator.
The elevator located behind the horizontal stabilizer has a formed leading edge skin and a trailing edge cut out for the trim tab.
Conventional hinged ailerons and single slot type flaps are attached to the trailing edge of the wings.
The ailerons are constructed of a forward spar containing a balance weight, formed sheet metal ribs and “V” type aluminum skin joined together at the trailing edge.
The flaps are constructed the same as the ailerons with the exception of the balanced weights and the addition of a formed sheet metal leading edge section.
Airframe
&
Flight Controls
References
Pilot’s Operating Handbook, Skyhawk Cessna Model 172N. Cessna Aircraft Company 1977