You can buy a 1970 182K for $70,000, but can you afford to fly it?

Total Cost Per Hour (100 hours/year): Approximately $180–$220/hour.

This is considerably more than a 172 ($120–$150/hour) but significantly less than a Cirrus SR22 ($350+/hour).

The 182’s party piece is useful load. While a 172 might struggle with four adults and full fuel, the 182 handles it without breaking a sweat. It can carry over 1,200 lbs of people, cargo, and gas. For a family of four or a backcountry camping trip, that's a game-changer.

| Specification | Detail | |---------------|--------| | Engine | Continental O-470 (230 HP) or Lycoming IO-540 (260 HP in newer models) | | Cruise Speed | 145–160 knots (167–184 mph) | | Range | 800–1,000+ nautical miles (with reserves) | | Useful Load | 1,100–1,400+ lbs (4 adults, bags, and full fuel is easy) | | Service Ceiling | 18,000+ ft (non-turbo) | | Takeoff Distance (50ft obstacle) | ~1,500 ft |

The Cessna 182 Skylane is not the flashiest, fastest, or most economical plane. But it is arguably the most practical single-engine piston aircraft ever made for the average pilot who needs to actually go places with stuff.

It forgives mistakes, rewards good planning, and keeps flying long after smaller planes have turned back. If the Cessna 172 is the world's most popular trainer, the 182 is the world's most popular doer.

One pilot's quote sums it up: "When in doubt, fly the 182. It won't win a drag race, but it will win the trip."

The Cessna 182 Skylane is a popular, single-engine, four-seat aircraft that has been widely used for general aviation, flight training, and personal flying since its introduction in 1956. Here are some key features and facts about the Cessna 182 Skylane:

General Characteristics:

Performance:

Avionics and Systems:

Variations:

Safety Features:

Maintenance and Operating Costs:

Pros and Cons:

  • Cons:

    • Overall, the Cessna 182 Skylane is a reliable and popular aircraft that has been a staple of general aviation for decades. Its forgiving nature, ease of handling, and robust airframe make it a great choice for flight training, touring, and personal flying. However, its relatively high operating costs and limited useful load capacity should be carefully considered by potential owners.

    ✈️ The Aviation Station Wagon The Cessna 182 Skylane is the undisputed "heavy hauler" of the light aircraft world. Introduced in 1956, it bridging the gap between basic trainers and complex, high-speed cross-country machines.

    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

    Depending on whether you are flying a legacy model or a modern glass-cockpit bird, the numbers generally fall into these brackets: Specification Engine 230 to 235 HP (Continental or Lycoming) Cruise Speed ~140 to 145 knots (up to 165 knots in turbos) Useful Load ~1,000 to 1,200 lbs Fuel Burn 11 to 14 gallons per hour Takeoff Run ~700 to 1,200 feet 👍 What We Love

    The "Fill the Seats" Capability: In many light planes, you can have full fuel or full seats, but not both. The 182 laughs at this compromise. You can generally load up your friends, top off the tanks, and still safely fly out of a reasonable runway.

    Stable IFR Platform: Because it is significantly heavier in control feel than a 172, it slices through turbulence beautifully. It is widely considered one of the best instruments (IFR) platforms for manual flying because it wants to stay where you put it.

    Backcountry Friendly: Thanks to its high-wing design, massive flaps, and beefy landing gear, the 182 is a legendary staple for weekend grass-strip and mountain flying adventures.

    Bulletproof Maintenance: Almost every general aviation mechanic on the planet knows how to fix a 182. Parts are highly accessible, making ownership far less of a headache than rarer airframes. 👎 The Realities of Ownership

    A Nose-Heavy Beast: The large engine upfront makes the elevator controls feel very heavy. If a pilot fails to trim correctly on landing, it is notoriously easy to slam the nose gear into the runway, leading to expensive firewall repairs.

    Thirstier Engine: Stepping up to that big 6-cylinder engine means you are moving from burning 8 gallons an hour in a 172 to roughly 12 to 14 gallons an hour in the 182.

    The "Ralph Kramden" Experience: Reviewers often note that transitioning into a Skylane makes you feel less like a fighter pilot and more like a regal bus driver. You sit high and upright, and the control forces require real muscle. 🏆 The Verdict

    The Cessna 182 Skylane is not the fastest plane in the sky, nor is it the most fuel-efficient. But it yields a masterclass in compromise. It gives you heavy hauling, short-field access, and predictable handling all in one highly reliable package. For many pilots, it is the absolute perfect "forever airplane".

    The Cessna 182 Skylane: History & Review - Aviation Consumer

    Let’s talk money. Owning a 182 is not cheap, but it is cheaper than a Cirrus SR22 or a Bonanza.

    Purchase Price (Used):

    Hourly Operating Cost (Ownership): Based on 100-150 hours/year flying.

    Total Variable Cost: Roughly $150 to $200 per flight hour (dry, not including hangar/insurance). If you rent a Skylane from a club, expect to pay $180–$250/hour wet.

    In 2023, Textron eAviation announced concepts for electric aircraft, and there is constant speculation about a hybrid-electric Cessna 182. Given the Skylane’s massive cabin and payload capacity, it is the ideal testbed for a parallel hybrid system (electric motor assisting the Lycoming for takeoff and climb).

    For now, the standard Skylane Cessna 182 remains the most popular used airplane on Trade-A-Plane and Controller.com. It is a safe investment. Well-maintained models appreciate slightly each year, as demand for fixed-gear haulers outpaces supply.