Yingling Rolls Out Reman’d 172

As the industry continues to push back against the high price of new aircraft, another company has joined the emerging trend in remanufactured aircraft. In conjunction with AOPA, Wichita-based Yingling Aviation announced Monday at AirVenture the Ascend 172, a ground-up remanufacture of the popular Cessna Skyhawk. As are several other shops, Yingling is restoring older airframes, specifically 172Ns to start, to near-new condition with fresh engines, paint and upholstery and upgraded, if modest, avionics packages. Yingling is providing the capital and restoration services while AOPA will participate in promoting the aircraft.

Yingling said that initially, three price tiers will be available. At $159,900, the airplane is equipped with a Garmin GTR-222 comm, a GTX-327 transponder and a PS Engineering intercom. For $163,860, the panel can be upgraded with a Garmin GTR-255A navcomm. The top tier, an IFR package, sells for $175,068 and includes a Garmin GTN-650. The Ascend 172 on display was painted the same bright yellow as AOPA's Reimagined 152 introduced last year, but Yingling's Lynn Nichols says the company has another paint package available for customers who might want it.

"To keep it simple," Nichols said, "the Ascend 172 is a pathway that keeps aviation affordable for those who are flying currently and those, young ones, who want to learn to fly." Nichols said the airplanes will be run through a comprehensive remanufacturing process including replacement of defective parts, some upgrades, corrosion repair and prevention, wiring, new upholstery and instruments. Although the Ascend 172 on display at the AOPA tent at AirVenture was an N model, Nichols said other models might be considered and Yingling would also consider remanufacturing a Skyhawk furnished by an owner. When asked what other models might be considered for remanufacture, Nichols said the Cessna 182 and 210 and perhaps the Beech Bonanza product line are being eyed.

Yingling's Ascend Skyhawk joins a growing field of refurbed airplanes, including a Skyhawk project from Sportys and diesel conversions from Premier Aircraft and Redbird. Aviat Aircraft, also in conjunction with AOPA, rolled out remanufactured Cessna 150s and 152s last year.