Cessna FR172E Reims Rocket EI-AEK

The Reims Rocket, while built in France, was designed and tested by Cessna in Wichita. It is the civilian version of a two-seat T-41 military training/utility aircraft designed to operate at high density altitudes and in rugged conditions around the World. Back in 1968, the standard 172 models had a 150hp Lycoming engine and a fixed-pitch propeller. The FR172E, with its 6-cylinder, fuel-injected 210hp Continental engine and McCauley Constant Speed propeller, was a different animal, capable of operating from short fields with ease. The Reims Rocket and T41-B/D models were used by the military in Ireland, Peru, Colombia, Honduras, Ecuador, Argentina and South Vietnam. They’ve done everything from firing rockets, to patrolling borders and coasts, to teaching pilots to fly at 6500ft field elevation at Colorado Springs during high summer temperatures.

The Reims Rocket sits between the 150hp C172 aircraft and the 230hp C182 aircraft, and it's only natural that its price reflects that. In recent years, all Reims products have seen higher demand in the used marketplace, which is understandable due to their scarcity of production. Indeed, the 130hp FRA150 aircraft are regularly commanding double the price, that ordinary C150 models bring. The Reims Rocket is eligible for US standard certification on its FAA Type Cert A18EU is fully supported by Textron, the current type cert holder. If you require assistance in this regard please do not hesitate to ask.

EI-AEK was, until recently, G-ROKT and has been operated by the current owner for the past 7 years. This 1968 FR172E variant was purchased for its ability to lift 4 people in and out of the short strips in the West of Ireland, taking enough bags and fuel to make touring comfortable with few compromises. The aircraft is equipped with a Garmin GMA-340 Audio Panel, GNS-430 GPS/Nav/8.33kHz Com with GI-106A ILS indicator and GTX-330 Mode S transponder. This is supplemented by a KNS-80 RNAV/ILS/DME and a second ILS indicator, a second com KY-196 radio, and KR-87 ADF. The aircraft has larger 52 USG tanks, and a higher MTOW than regular 172s at 2500lbs.

The airframe, engine, paint, and interior are all original to the aircraft at 2873hrs TT, and the propeller has 264hrs SPOH since 2014. The last ARC/Annual was completed in October 2024, and at that time, a new headliner was fitted to the interior. The aircraft registration markings were changed, and are decaled on, making a future registration change easily accomplished. The Reims aircraft have stood the test of time better than you could imagine. You only have to open the inspection panels to marvel at how well they were built. We will happily do a video viewing, scan logs, collect any interested parties from Dublin or Shannon Airport, and demonstrate this aircraft. If you need an export certificate, this can be arranged post-sale, or if you need the aircraft containerized for shipping, we can accomplish this easily.