The Cessna 172 is one of the most iconic planes in aviation history. This four-seat, single-engine plane was introduced in 1956 and has become the go-to for recreational pilots around the world.

Fine choice, but the right one? After all, there was another aircraft that also first flew in 1955, Cessna’s Model 172 Skyhawk, a Mach 0.17 (125 mph) performer versus Crusader’s Mach 1.2. And ...