Skylane Cessna | 182
With over 23,000 units built, the Cessna 182 Skylane remains in active production today. It serves diverse roles globally, working as a personal transport vehicle, a flight training platform for high-performance endorsements, a Civil Air Patrol search-and-rescue asset, and a rugged bush plane in remote regions. Its predictable handling, forgiving flight characteristics, and unmatched utility secure its position as a benchmark standard in general aviation.
Many pilots opt for used aircraft to lower the entry price [28]. Models from the 1970s remain popular for their balance of price and reliability. Operating Costs: Hourly fuel costs range from $77 to $105
Over its long production history, variants have included the Skylane RG (retractable gear) and Turbo Skylane (for high-altitude performance). Ownership & Cost Considerations
The six-cylinder engine burns roughly 11 to 14 gallons of Avgas (aviation gasoline) per hour depending on power settings and altitude. Maintenance Considerations
In 1956, Cessna answered with the . Essentially, it was a Cessna 180 fuselage mated to the nosewheel of the Cessna 172. The result was a stable, powerful aircraft that could handle rough strips (thanks to its optional "Land-O-Matic" heavy-duty gear) while being easy to taxi and land. skylane cessna 182
| Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | | Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 HP) | | Max Cruise Speed | 145 knots (167 mph) | | Economy Cruise | 130 knots | | Range (Standard tanks) | 530 NM (with reserves) | | Range (Long-range tanks) | 820 NM | | Takeoff Distance (Ground roll) | 790 feet | | Takeoff Distance (50 ft obstacle) | 1,350 feet | | Rate of Climb | 924 ft/min | | Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft | | Useful Load | 1,200–1,400 lbs (depending on options) | | Fuel Burn | 12–16 gallons/hour | | Seats | 4 |
Because Cessna built over 23,000 Skylanes (and continues to build them), the parts market is immense. You can upgrade a 1965 182K with:
In the pantheon of general aviation aircraft, few names command as much respect and affection as the Cessna 182 Skylane. Sandwiched between its legendary little brother, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (the world’s most popular trainer), and the burly Cessna 185 Skywagon, the 182 has carved out a unique identity. It isn’t just a faster 172, nor is it a stripped-down utility plane. The Skylane is widely regarded as the ultimate personal cross-country machine—the "SUV of the sky."
| | Cessna 172 Skyhawk | Cessna 182 Skylane | Cessna 206 Stationair | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Role | Primary trainer, basic personal travel | Versatile personal & utility aircraft | Heavy-haul utility, cargo, aerial work | | Engine (HP) | Lycoming IO-360-L2A (180 hp) | Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp) | Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A (310 hp) | | Max Cruise Speed | 124 kts | 145 kts | 161 kts | | Standard Seats | 4 | 4 | 6 | | Useful Load | ~900 lbs | ~1,110 lbs | ~1,600 lbs | | Max Range | 640 nm | 915 nm | 703 nm | | Base Price | $415,000 | $530,000 | $745,000 | With over 23,000 units built, the Cessna 182
Ask any Skylane owner what they love about their plane, and the answer almost always comes back to one word: . The 182 is a supremely stable, predictable, and solid-feeling platform. Owners frequently note that it handles turbulence exceptionally well, providing a calm and comfortable ride when smaller aircraft are bouncing around. It is a "no drama" airplane that inspires confidence, especially for families.
To meet the demands of different pilots, Cessna introduced notable variations of the 182 airframe: Turbo Skylane (T182T)
If the smaller Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a compact sedan, the Skylane is a classic, rugged V8 station wagon. It does not win speed races or beauty contests, but it comfortably carries four real adults, full fuel, and actual baggage without breaking a sweat—a feat few in its class can claim. 📊 Performance at a Glance
is a high-performance workhorse designed for short fields and long cross-country flights. CESSNA 182 Specifications, Performance, and Range Many pilots opt for used aircraft to lower
The Skylane is often called a "load hauler" because it can carry nearly anything you can fit through the doors.
Like most of Cessna’s single-engine lineup, the Skylane utilizes a high-wing configuration. This design offers excellent downward visibility for navigation and sightseeing, shelters the cabin from sun and rain on the ramp, and provides high ground clearance for gravel or rough runways. Airframe and Cabin Space
Modern models (like the 2026 Skylane ) often include advanced safety equipment like collision avoidance systems and autopiloting. Common Use Cases
If you want to look deeper into owning or flying a Skylane, tell me:
Pilots frequently describe the Cessna 182 as a stable, predictable, and forgiving platform.