How much does it cost to share a Cessna 172 Skyhawk flight?

A Cessna 172 Skyhawk typically hires for £225-£290 an hour wet in the UK. With all 4 seats filled and the cost shared equally, each person pays around £65 per flying hour, plus their share of airfield charges such as landing fees.

How many people can share the cost of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk flight?

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk has 4 seats, so up to 4 people including the pilot can share the cost, subject to weight and balance and any limit on your licence. Cost sharing is capped at six people in any aircraft, and at four on a LAPL(A) or NPPL(A).

Does the pilot have to pay their share?

Yes. Each passenger can contribute no more than an equal share of the direct costs, so the pilot always pays at least their own share. The pilot can choose to pay more.

Cessna

Splitting the cost of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk flight

The most-produced aircraft in history and a staple of UK club fleets. Four seats and a high wing for sightseeing make it a natural choice for sharing a flight with friends.

Typical wet hire: £225-£290 /hr
Per person, all 4 seats full: ≈ £65 /hr
Typical cruise: 115 kt
Fuel burn: 32 L/hr; AVGAS 100LL

Worked example: a one-hour flight

At a typical £258 an hour wet, plus £25 of airfield charges, here is how the cost of a one-hour C172 flight splits depending on how many people are on board.

People on board	Total direct costs	Each person pays
2 (pilot + 1)	£283.00	£141.50
3 (pilot + 2)	£283.00	£94.33 (pilot £94.34)
4 (pilot + 3)	£283.00	£70.75

Calculate your own C172 flight

Your flight

Enter your wet hire rate to see what everyone pays per flying hour.

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Wet hire rate per hour (£)

Typical Cessna 172 Skyhawk rate pre-filled. Not hiring wet, or adding landing fees? Switch to Advanced.

People on board, including you

Six at most, including the pilot - or four on a LAPL(A) or NPPL(A), and two in a microlight.

The split

Wet hire, per flying hour: £258.00
Managing compliance with Split My Flight: £0.00
Total per flying hour: £258.00

You, per hour

£64.50

Each passenger, per hour

£64.50

× 3 passengers

No passenger may pay more than an equal share, so the pilot always pays at least theirs - any odd pennies go to the pilot. You can choose to pay more and let passengers pay less.

Sorted the maths? Now the paperwork.

Every cost-sharing passenger needs to receive the required information and sign a declaration before you fly, and you need to keep the records. Split My Flight does all of that for free.

Passenger declarations signed online
A compliance document for every flight
Records kept for you

Manage this flight's paperwork free

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to share a Cessna 172 Skyhawk flight?: A Cessna 172 Skyhawk typically hires for £225-£290 an hour wet in the UK. With all 4 seats filled and the cost shared equally, each person pays around £65 per flying hour, plus their share of airfield charges such as landing fees.
How many people can share the cost of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk flight?: The Cessna 172 Skyhawk has 4 seats, so up to 4 people including the pilot can share the cost, subject to weight and balance and any limit on your licence. Cost sharing is capped at six people in any aircraft, and at four on a LAPL(A) or NPPL(A).
Does the pilot have to pay their share?: Yes. Each passenger can contribute no more than an equal share of the direct costs, so the pilot always pays at least their own share. The pilot can choose to pay more.

Figures are indicative UK club rates and typical performance numbers, not quotes. Check your operator's rates, the aircraft's flight manual and weight and balance before you fly. See what counts as a direct cost.