Philippines receives Cessna 172 Skylark Aircraft from US
The Philippine Navy has taken delivery of four Cessna 172 Skylark aircraft from the US as part of a 298 million peso ($5.8 million) Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant.
According to the US Embassy in Manila, the single-engine military planes will be utilized by the country’s naval air wing based in the Cavite province to train new naval aviators and maintain the capabilities of current pilots and aviation mechanics.
The delivery reportedly included spare parts and an integral logistics support package.
Under the same FMF grant, the southeast Asian nation will also receive three US-sourced Robinson R44 helicopters later this year.
Prior to the aircraft’s arrival, the US provided pilot and mechanic training to more than 20 Philippine military personnel in Kansas City.
Developed by Cessna Aviation, the Skylark is a four-seat, high-wing aircraft powered by a continental GO-300 piston engine. It has a range of 1,167 kilometers (725 miles) and a maximum speed of 241 kilometers (149 miles) per hour.
The Cessna 175 features an all-metal airframe and is built of aluminum alloy. It is fitted with tricycle-style landing gear and has a wheelbase of 1.9 meters (6.2 feet).
