Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Air Traffic Control Radar 1; Flight Crew Last 90 Days 113; Flight Crew Total 430; Flight Crew Type 367
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
After a full and complete pre-flight; and a run-up with no issues. Shortly after departure from Runway XXR; there was a significant loss in engine output from 2;400 RPM to 1;800 RPM. The first thing was to fly the airplane; request priority handling from ATC and find a place to land. After ATC gave priority and the airfield was within range with the remaining engine power to get to glide range if the engine completely failed. Runway XYL was requested and given by ATC; they had to divert departing traffic to the South; traffic was in sight and no factor and I landed on Runway XYL with no issue.In the future; I will be sure to complete the Emergency Procedures checklist as well; which asks for the AUX fuel pump to be turned on which I was unable to complete before we were cleared for Runway 11L; and due to the low proximity to the ground; the density of the population of the area; and enough engine power to make the airfield. I landed before being able to troubleshoot.
C172 pilot reported loss of engine power on departure; resulting in a return to land.