The 182 excels at carrying a heavy useful load, with a wide center of gravity (CG) envelope.
If you are a private pilot who has spent years boring holes in the sky with a 172 or a Piper Cherokee, the Cessna 182 is the natural, logical, and arguably best next step.
Early models featured a straight tail and a fastback fuselage, but Cessna continuously refined the design. In 1960, the 182C added a swept vertical stabilizer, and the 182E introduced the iconic "Omni-Vision" rear window, drastically improving situational awareness for pilots. skylane cessna 182
Its high-wing design offers excellent stability and downward visibility, making it a favorite for both cross-country travel and specialized missions like skydiving. Landing Gear:
The Cessna 182 Skylane remains the quintessential general aviation airplane. It does not excel at just one specific task; instead, it does everything exceptionally well. Whether you are a weekend warrior taking your family on a cross-country trip, a remote pilot landing on a grass strip, or an instrument student flying through the clouds, the Skylane delivers safety, utility, and performance time and time again. The 182 excels at carrying a heavy useful
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."
| Aircraft | Cruise Speed | Useful Load | Acquisition Cost | Cool Factor | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 145 kts | 1,100 lbs | $$ | Moderate | | Piper Dakota (PA-28-236) | 140 kts | 1,050 lbs | $$ | Low | | Beechcraft Bonanza A36 | 170 kts | 1,300 lbs | $$$$ | High | | Cirrus SR22 | 180 kts | 1,100 lbs | $$$$$ | Very High | | Cessna 172 Skyhawk | 115 kts | 850 lbs | $ | Low | In 1960, the 182C added a swept vertical
The 182 is a favorite for airborne search and rescue, disaster relief, and highway patrol missions due to its excellent loiter time, high-visibility high-wing layout, and stable slow-flight characteristics.
The Cessna 182 was originally developed as a tricycle-gear version of the taildragger Cessna 180 . While the early 1956 model was simply the "182," the "Skylane" nameplate debuted in 1957 with the 182A, featuring a deluxe equipment package that included full paint and wheel fairings.