FlyBy Aviation Academy Expands Its Instrument Training Fleet with the Cessna 172RG Cutlass — Aircraft No. 44

Spain - FlyBy Aviation Academy, one of the largest and most international EASA-approved flight training organisations in Europe, is pleased to announce the formal integration of Aircraft No. 44 into its operational fleet: a Cessna 172RG Cutlass. This addition strengthens the Academy’s nucleus of aircraft specifically dedicated to Instrument Rating (IR) training,expanding FlyBy’s capacity to deliver advanced instrument instruction to its cadets. 

The Cessna 172RG Cutlass is a high-performance, retractable-gear variant of the legendary Cessna 172 family — one of the most produced aircraft in history. Manufactured between 1971 and 1985 and powered by a Lycoming O-360-F1A6 engine developing 180 horsepower, the 172RG combines the docile handling characteristics of the 172 lineage with the systems complexity of a certified complex aircraft. With a cruise speed of approximately 140 knots, a service ceiling of 14,200 feet (4,328 m), and a range of around 830 nautical miles, it is a highly capable platform for sustained instrument flight training operations. 

Under EASA regulations, a “complex” aircraft is defined as one equipped with a retractable undercarriage, a constant-speed (variable-pitch) propeller, and a flap system. The Cessna 172RG Cutlass meets all three criteria, qualifying it as a complex aircraft type and making it an important step in the training journey of any future commercial pilot. Operating a complex aircraft demands a higher level of procedural discipline and systems management: cadets must actively configure the aircraft at each phase of flight, managing gear extension, propeller pitch, and engine power in a coordinated manner — skills that translate directly to the multi-engine and jet aircraft flown in commercial operations. 

Aircraft No. 44 joins FlyBy’s existing core of IFR-equipped aircraft, expanding the Academy’s capacity to conduct parallel instrument sorties and reducing scheduling pressure during peak training periods. The Cessna 172RG Cutlass will be deployed primarily for dual and solo IR training exercises, encompassing procedural IFR, instrument approach procedures (ILS, VOR, RNAV/GNSS), departure and arrival procedures, and holding patterns — flown under both simulated and actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). 

Its greater range and higher service ceiling relative to fixed-gear training aircraft also make the 172RG well suited to cross-country IFR navigation exercises, which are a mandatory component of the EASA IR syllabus. 

“The Cessna 172RG Cutlass is a natural and deliberate addition to our instrument training fleet. Its complexity rating adds genuine pedagogical value to the IR phase: cadets who train on a complex aircraft develop a level of cockpit discipline and multi-tasking ability that sets them apart. This acquisition is a direct investment in the quality of our graduates.” – Oier Fernandez, Head of Training 

About FlyBy Aviation Academy
FlyBy Aviation Academy is one of the largest and most international flight training organisations in Europe, headquartered in Spain and certified under EASA. With a fleet of 44 aircraft and 4 simulators, FlyBy delivers more than 45,000 flight hours every year, training future airline pilots to the highest international standards. The Academy proudly counts students of 115 different nationalities among its community, making FlyBy a truly global hub for aviation training.

Source: FlyBy Aviation Academy