General Aviation
Cessna 182
Manufacturer: Cessna
The Cessna 182 Skylane is a four‑seat, single‑engine light aircraft that first flew in 1956. Built by Cessna in Wichita, Kansas, it is a tricycle‑gear version of the earlier 180 and has become the second‑most popular Cessna model still in production after the 172.
Aircraft Facts
- Type Key
- cessna-182
- Class
- General Aviation
- Registry Count
- 11,490
- Example Registration
- N1007T
Specifications
- Wingspan
- 10.97 m / 36 ft
- Length
- 8.84 m / 29 ft
- Height
- 2.84 m / 9.33 ft
- Max Speed
- 280 km/h / 170 mph
- Cruise Speed
- 269 km/h / 167 mph
- Range
- 1720 km / 1070 mi
- Ceiling
- 5500 m / 18100 ft
- First Flight
- 1955-09-10
- Production Start
- 1956
- Production End
- 1985
- Total Built
- 23237
Aircraft Overview
History
The 182 was introduced in 1956 and quickly evolved through a series of incremental upgrades. The 182A appeared in 1957, followed by the deluxe Skylane in 1958. Over the decades, the aircraft received wider fuselages, new tailfin designs, larger baggage compartments, and higher gross weights. Production stopped in 2012 but resumed in 2015. The 182 was also built in Argentina as the A182 and in France as the F182.
Design
The 182 is an all‑metal airplane, mainly aluminum alloy, with some fiberglass or thermoplastic parts such as the engine cowling nosebowl and wingtips. Its wing planform matches that of the 172, but the flap and aileron design is unique. From 1978 to 1986 the R182 and TR182 offered retractable gear, giving 10‑15% faster climb and cruise speeds and better fuel economy at the cost of higher maintenance.
Variants
Key variants include the original 182, 182A, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R/T, 182S, 182T/T182T, and special versions such as the R182 Skylane RG, TR182 Turbo Skylane RG, and the short‑lived JT‑A diesel prototype.
Operations
The 182 serves a wide range of operators. Civilly, it is used by flight schools, cadet programs, and private owners worldwide. Government agencies such as the U.S. Civil Air Patrol, FBI, and various police forces use it for surveillance, search and rescue, and communications. Military operators include the Argentine Army, Austrian Air Force, and several others. The aircraft is also popular in the skydiving industry because its high‑wing design offers excellent low‑speed stability and easy exits.
Notable Facts
- Introduced in 1956 as a tricycle‑gear variant of the Cessna 180.
- Second most popular Cessna model still in production after the 172.
- R182 retractable‑gear models offered 10‑15% faster climb and cruise speeds.
- Produced in Argentina (A182) and France (F182) under license.
- The JT‑A diesel prototype burned 11 gallons of Jet‑A per hour at cruise.
- Widely used in skydiving due to its high‑wing stability and easy exit.
Variants
- 182P- 2,101 registrations - Example N1007T
- 182Q- 1,563 registrations - Example N100CA
- 182T- 968 registrations - Example N100HX
- 182A- 785 registrations - Example N1009P
- 182S- 606 registrations - Example N101VB
- 182R- 487 registrations - Example N101SP
- 182J- 485 registrations - Example N100KF
- 182- 447 registrations - Example N100MM
- 182M- 433 registrations - Example N101TC
- 182H- 423 registrations - Example N110FS
- 182K- 414 registrations - Example N104PM
- 182L- 409 registrations - Example N101RG
- 182B- 407 registrations - Example N136Q
- 182G- 391 registrations - Example N113BS
- 182E- 379 registrations - Example N104BU
- 182N- 337 registrations - Example N10176
- 182F- 294 registrations - Example N112VB
- 182C- 283 registrations - Example N100SD
- 182D- 268 registrations - Example N107WF
- 182RG- 5 registrations - Example N1819G
- 182F 460- 1 registrations - Example N4602W
- 182G 460- 1 registrations - Example N625MB
- 182H 460- 1 registrations - Example N2067X
- 182K460- 1 registrations - Example N2835R
- 182T Skylane- 1 registrations - Example N2231F
