What is the stall speed of a Cessna 172 in landing configuration?

The stall speed of a Cessna 172 in landing configuration is approximately 47 knots. This speed is critical for pilots to understand as it represents the minimum speed at which the aircraft can maintain controlled flight in that particular configuration, which typically involves full flaps and a nose-high attitude. Flying below this speed while in landing configuration can cause the aircraft to stall, leading to a loss of control.

In the landing configuration, the increased lift due to flaps allows the aircraft to maintain a slower flight speed than when clean (without flaps extended), but there's still a defined margin where a stall can occur. This stall speed helps determine safe landing and approach practices, highlighting the importance of maintaining awareness of airspeed, especially during critical phases of flight like landing. Understanding this figure helps pilots ensure they remain safely above stall speed while executing landing maneuvers.