Cessna 182

Single Piston

The Cessna 182 Skylane has been the workhorse four-seat single-engine aircraft since its introduction in 1956, bridging the gap between the ubiquitous 172 and more complex retractable-gear designs. Built continuously for over six decades with only brief production pauses, the 182 distinguished itself with a more powerful engine than the 172, a constant-speed propeller, and higher useful load, making it the go-to platform for serious cross-country travel, flight training beyond the private certificate, and utility missions from pipeline patrol to backcountry access. Over 23,000 have been delivered, and the type remains in production today as the turbo-normalized T182T. What sets the Skylane apart is its versatility and forgiveness. The fixed tricycle gear and docile handling make it accessible to relatively low-time pilots, while the 230-horsepower Lycoming IO-540 and optional turbocharging provide genuine high-altitude capability and cruise speeds around 140 knots. It climbs well, carries four adults and baggage without the weight-and-balance gymnastics of lighter singles, and operates comfortably from short grass strips or paved runways. The 182 became a favorite of the Civil Air Patrol for search-and-rescue, of survey operators for aerial photography, and of private owners who wanted a single airplane capable of both $100 hamburger runs and serious IFR cross-countries to the mountains. The type's operating envelope is straightforward: VNE of 175 knots, VNO of 140 knots, and a stall speed with full flaps of 50 knots give it a comfortable margin for normal operations. Maximum structural cruising speed sits at the top of the green arc, and the aircraft is approved for limited aerobatics in the utility category at reduced weight. Later models added fuel injection, turbocharging, and glass cockpits, but the fundamental airframe and handling qualities remain unchanged from the 1956 original. SkyMeter has tracked 1,295 flights across 426 airframes and 386 operators, with CIVIL AIR PATROL the largest observed operator.