Cessna T182t

Single Piston

The Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane is the turbocharged variant of Cessna's legendary 182 Skylane, one of general aviation's most successful four-seat singles. Introduced in 2001 as part of the restarted Skylane production line, the T182T pairs the proven 182 airframe with a Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A turbocharged engine producing 235 horsepower, giving it meaningful performance advantages over the normally aspirated version at higher altitudes. The turbocharger allows the aircraft to maintain sea-level power up to its critical altitude, making it particularly popular in the mountain states and for operations where density altitude is a concern. With a service ceiling around 20,000 feet and cruise speeds of 145-155 knots, the Turbo Skylane occupies a sweet spot for pilots who need the utility and load-carrying capability of a 182 but operate regularly in high-altitude environments. The type has found favor with Civil Air Patrol for search-and-rescue missions, flight schools upgrading their fleets, and owner-pilots who value the combination of speed, payload, and high-altitude capability. Its fixed landing gear and relatively forgiving handling characteristics make it accessible to lower-time pilots, while the turbocharged engine and sophisticated avionics in later models provide capabilities that satisfy more demanding missions. SkyMeter has tracked 358 flights across 140 airframes and 126 operators, with TEXTRON AVIATION INC the largest observed operator.