Cessna Skylane 182

Single Piston· 12,989 globally registered

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 trainer and more complex retractable-gear designs. What sets the 182 apart is its combination of a 230-horsepower Lycoming engine with fixed tricycle gear, offering significantly better climb performance and useful load than the 172 while maintaining the simplicity and lower insurance costs of a fixed-gear airplane. This formula proved so successful that Cessna produced the type nearly continuously for over six decades, with more than 23,000 built. The Skylane's 140-knot cruise speed and 915-nautical-mile range made it a favorite for personal cross-country travel, while its high-wing design and sturdy landing gear earned it a reputation in backcountry and bush flying communities. The aircraft can operate from rough strips that would challenge many contemporaries, and its 3,110-pound maximum takeoff weight allows a typical useful load around 1,100 pounds, enough for four adults, full fuel, and baggage on most missions. Cessna offered the type in various configurations over the years, including the retractable-gear 182RG Skylane and turbocharged variants for high-altitude operations. The 182 remains in production today as the Skylane and Turbo Skylane, testament to the enduring appeal of Cessna's original design philosophy: straightforward systems, predictable handling, and genuine four-seat capability. Its stall speeds of 50 knots landing configuration and 56 knots clean, combined with a never-exceed speed of 175 knots, define a generous operating envelope that forgives student pilots while rewarding experienced hands. SkyMeter has tracked 10,369 flights across 2,931 airframes and 2,473 operators, with CIVIL AIR PATROL the largest observed operator.