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The Cessna 182 Skylane is a high-wing, single‐engine, four-seat light utility aircraft, first introduced in 1956 by Cessna Aircraft Company.
It’s known for its solid performance, versatility, and reliability — making it a strong choice for private owners, flight schools, and utility operations.
Capacity & utility: Four seats as standard (pilot + 3 passengers). Some versions offer optional child seats in the baggage compartment.
Performance: With modern versions powered by a 230 hp Lycoming IO-540 (for fixed-gear models) you get a cruise speed around 145 knots (≈269 km/h) and a range up to ~915 nm (≈1,695 km).
Practical size & build: Wingspan ~36 ft (≈11 m), length ~29 ft (≈8.8 m) for recent versions.
Versatility: Good for touring, personal transport, flight training, and even utility work. The high-wing offers good ground clearance and visibility.
Heritage & support: Over 20,000 units produced, long production run, many parts and support infrastructure.
If you’re looking for an aircraft that offers more capability than smaller trainers (e.g., more speed, payload, range) but remains manageable in terms of operations and cost compared to turboprops or multi-engines, the Cessna 182 Skylane is a strong candidate.
It can serve as a comfortable cross-country machine, a capable general aviation platform for a pilot-owner, or a versatile utility aircraft.
While easier than many heavier aircraft, it still demands respect: weight & balance, payload vs fuel decisions, performance in hot/high conditions.
Operating costs (fuel, maintenance) will be higher than very small singles.
Versions vary significantly: gear fixed vs retractable (RG models), aspirated vs turbocharged, avionics upgrades — so each specific aircraft must be evaluated on its details.
For maximum performance or high altitude work look into turbo versions (e.g., the “Turbo Skylane”). Cessna+1