What type of fuel system is used in the Cessna 172?

The Cessna 172 utilizes a gravity-fed fuel system, which is a design choice that simplifies the fuel delivery process to the engine. In this system, the fuel is stored in tanks located above the engine, allowing gravity to assist in pulling the fuel down to the engine where it is needed for combustion.

This type of system is beneficial because it minimizes the need for complex pumps and mechanical systems that can increase weight and maintenance requirements. Gravity-fed systems are typically reliable and effective, particularly in small general aviation aircraft like the Cessna 172, where weight and simplicity are crucial for performance and safety.

While options like pressure-fed and pumped fuel systems are common in larger or more powerful aircraft that require higher pressure for fuel delivery, those systems are not necessary in the Cessna 172, which operates efficiently with the gravity-fed design. Fuel injection systems, while present in some variants of the Cessna 172, still rely on gravity-fed tanks for fuel delivery, further supporting the reasoning for the choice of a gravity-fed system.