Most Bond aircraft are exotic. The one in GoldenEye is the world’s most ordinary light plane, and that is why it works: a Cessna 172P Skyhawk is a machine that anyone can buy, rent or learn on. Jack Wade, played by Joe Don Baker, provides Pierce Brosnan’s Bond with a 1984 Cessna 172P Skyhawk, and Bond flies it to scout Cuba for the Janus control centre. The Cessna 172P from GoldenEye is out of production, but plenty of pre-owned examples are for sale.
In the film
Our catalogue records the plane as a 1984 Cessna 172P with the registration N96816. Wade pilots it when he meets Bond, and Bond flies it afterwards, according to a Bond wiki, while looking for the Janus control centre. A similar Skyhawk also appears in the opening of an earlier film, Licence to Kill.
The details of the Cessna 172P
A plane built to be used. Textron Aviation calls the Skyhawk the most popular single-engine aircraft ever built, and the 172 is the standard trainer for new pilots. Cessna produced the P model from 1981 to 1986.
The engine. The 172P is powered by a Continental O-300 engine of 175hp. One listing site quotes a cruise speed of 120 knots at 75% power and a stall speed of 42 knots.
The Skyhawk name. It was first used for an optional deluxe package on the 172, adding wheel fairings, avionics and a cargo door.
Owning it now
Owning an aircraft is a larger commitment than owning a car, and the buying process matters more than the model. Insist on the full logbooks, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent engineer and an honest account of the engine’s hours. Many people rent a 172 before buying one, which is a sensible way to learn whether you will use it.
Where to look. The buy button on this page searches Trade-a-Plane for 172P Skyhawk listings. Prices vary with condition, hours and avionics, so we do not quote one. Textron still builds the Skyhawk new, and its current model differs from the 1984 aircraft.
What not to do. Buy nothing from a photograph alone. A plane that looks well kept can still hide corrosion and a tired engine.
Specifications
| Model | Cessna 172P Skyhawk |
|---|---|
| Production | 1981 to 1986 |
| Film aircraft | 1984, registration N96816 (catalogue) |
| Engine | Continental O-300, 175hp |
| Cruise and stall | 120 knots at 75% power; 42 knots stall (one listing source) |
| Availability | Out of production; pre-owned only |
The current Skyhawk is on Textron Aviation’s site.
Questions
What plane does Bond fly in GoldenEye?
He flies a 1984 Cessna 172P Skyhawk, supplied by Jack Wade. Our catalogue records the registration as N96816.
Is the Cessna 172P still made?
No. Cessna built the 172P from 1981 to 1986, though Textron Aviation still builds the Skyhawk in a newer form.
How powerful is the Cessna 172P?
Its Continental O-300 engine produces 175hp, with a cruise speed of 120 knots at 75% power according to one listing site.
How do I buy a Cessna 172P?
Search specialist listings such as Trade-a-Plane, and insist on logbooks and an independent inspection before you pay.
More machines are collected under Vehicles, and the film is on the film page.
