Skylane Cessna 182 May 2026
A typical Skylane cruises at 140 to 150 knots (true airspeed) while burning about 12–14 gallons per hour. With standard 55-gallon tanks, you have a range of roughly 500–600 nautical miles with VFR reserves. That means flying from New York to Chicago non-stop without breaking a sweat.
As of the mid-2020s, used Cessna 182s range from:
It holds value exceptionally well – the 182 is a blue-chip investment in aviation.
If the Cessna 172 is the Toyota Corolla of aviation (ubiquitous, reliable, economical), the Cessna 182 Skylane is the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser. It takes everything good about its smaller sibling and adds more power, more space, more payload, and a ruggedness that has made it a favorite for bush pilots, families, and flight schools for nearly 70 years.
Why do pilots love flying the 182? Because it does everything well enough.
No plane is perfect. The 182 has a few "personality traits."
Despite these, the 182 is one of the most robust AD-ridden airframes—meaning the FAA has forced fixes for most common problems. skylane cessna 182
Ask any owner why they bought a 182 over a Cirrus SR22 or a Diamond DA40, and the answer usually involves the word "sturdy."
The 182 is built like a farm truck. It has a rigid spring-steel landing gear (the "leaf spring" main gear) that can handle less-than-perfect landings on grass strips, gravel bars, or bumpy backcountry runways. You wouldn't take a Cirrus into a short, unimproved airstrip in Idaho, but a 182 on bush wheels? Absolutely.
It is the aircraft of choice for:
Quick takeaway: The Cessna 182 Skylane is a practical, reliable workhorse—ideal for owners needing payload, range, and forgiving handling rather than cutting-edge speed or luxury.
Related search terms provided.
The Cessna 182 Skylane is widely regarded as the ultimate "all-around performer" in general aviation. Since its introduction in 1956, it has filled the gap between the trainer-oriented Cessna 172 Skyhawk and the heavier Cessna 180 Skywagon, offering a rare balance of payload, speed, and short-field capability. Key Performance Specifications A typical Skylane cruises at 140 to 150
The 182 is a high-performance, four-seat aircraft known for its stability and predictable handling. Typical Specification (182T) Engine Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp) Cruise Speed ~140–145 knots Useful Load ~1,100–1,200 lbs Fuel Capacity 88 gallons usable (long-range tanks) Service Ceiling 18,100 feet (standard) Landing Distance ~590 feet ground roll Why Pilots Love the Skylane
Assuming you want a descriptive text about the aircraft (since "Skylane" is the model name for the Cessna 182), here are a few options depending on the context you need:
Option 1: Descriptive/Informational "The Cessna 182 Skylane is a four-seat, single-engine piston aircraft renowned for its reliability and versatility. First introduced in 1956 as a tricycle-gear variant of the Cessna 180, the Skylane has become one of the most popular general aviation aircraft in history. It is widely praised for its stable flight characteristics, high useful load, and ability to operate from shorter runways, making it a favorite among private pilots and flight schools alike."
Option 2: Brief/Summary "The Cessna 182 Skylane is a legendary high-wing aircraft produced by Cessna. Known for its rugged construction and excellent short-field performance, the Skylane serves as a capable cross-country touring aircraft and a reliable platform for flight training."
Option 3: Sales/Marketing Style "Experience the perfect blend of power and precision with the Cessna 182 Skylane. As a staple in the general aviation community, this high-wing monoplane offers exceptional visibility, a spacious cabin, and the performance needed for serious cross-country travel. Whether you are a student pilot or a seasoned aviator, the Skylane delivers a dependable and smooth flying experience."
Option 4: Technical Specification Style Aircraft Profile: Cessna 182 Skylane It holds value exceptionally well – the 182
The Cessna 182 Skylane is one of general aviation's most enduring and versatile aircraft, widely regarded as the ultimate "step-up" plane for pilots transitioning from the smaller Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Since its introduction in 1956, it has become the second-most popular Cessna model ever produced, beloved for its rare balance of speed, payload capacity, and stable flight characteristics. The Evolution of the Skylane
The 182 began as a tricycle-gear variant of the taildragging Cessna 180. While early models featured a straight vertical tail and small windows, the aircraft evolved significantly over seven decades:
Early Innovations: The "Skylane" name was introduced in 1957 for a deluxe version of the 182A. Major design updates followed, including the "Omni-Vision" wrap-around rear window in 1962 and a wider fuselage for increased cabin comfort.
The RG Era (1978–1986): Cessna introduced the Skylane RG (R182), a retractable-gear version that offered a 10–15% improvement in cruise speed and fuel economy at the cost of higher maintenance.
Restart and Modernization: After a production hiatus (1986–1996), the 182 returned with the 182S model, moving from Continental to fuel-injected Lycoming engines. Modern variants like the 182T and T182T (Turbo) now come standard with the Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit. Performance and Specifications
The Skylane is often called a "load hauler" because it can carry nearly anything you can fit through the doors.
