Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 80; Flight Crew Type 6
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Successfully pre-flighted aircraft for IFR Cross Country with instructor out of Flight School. No anomalies found in run up. All instruments in green through duration of start-up; taxi; run up. Magnetos within tolerances; idle check within 600-800 RPM. Briefed all applicable checklists; including emergency procedures.Took off from Runway XXC after cleared for departure [by] Tower. [At] approximately 500-700 feet AGL; engine RPM drastically dropped from full throttle to 2200 RPM; and engine ran rough. All instruments still showing in green: Fuel flow; EGT; fuel level; oil pressure; oil temperature all nominal. No annunciators appeared. Instructor immediately took control of aircraft; and leveled off; requesting priority handling with Tower (2 souls on board; full fuel 4 hours remaining). Aircraft was able to maintain altitude; and entered right traffic for XXC. Cleared to land by Tower; and landed aircraft successfully with power. Escorted off runway by [airport] services back to Ramp; and immediately squawked aircraft to maintenance.
C172 pilot reported an engine RPM drop during takeoff resulting in an expedited landing.