| Tail Number / N-Number | N856AU |
| Manufacturer | TEXTRON AVIATION INC |
| Model | 172S |
| Year Built | 2017 |
| Manufacturer's Serial Number | 172S12094 |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Category | Land |
| Builder Certification | Type Certificated |
| Number of Seats | 4 seats |
| Weight Class | CLASS 1 (Up to 12,499 pounds gross take off weight) |
| Engine Manufacturer | LYCOMING |
| Engine Model | IO-360-L2A |
| Engine Type | Reciprocating |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Horsepower | 180 hp (134 kW) |
| Type of Registrant | Government |
| Owner Name | AUBURN UNIVERSITY |
| Street | 107 SAMFORD HALL |
| City | AUBURN |
| State | AL |
| Zip Code | 36849-0001 |
| Region | Southern |
| County | Lee County |
| Country | US |
| Fractional Ownership | No |
| Airworthiness Classification | Standard |
| Airworthiness Date | 2017-11-17 |
| Certificate Issue Date | 2018-03-16 |
| Last Action Date | 2021-03-04 |
| Expiration Date | 2028-03-31 |
| Status | Valid Registration |
| Mode S Code | 52736665 |
| Mode S Code Hex | ABBDB5 |