Cessna aircraft Company struck commercial gold with its Model 172 shoulder-winged light-utility aircraft (detailed elsewhere on this site). This pivotal series, introduced in 1956, went on to see extensive civilian and military marketplace use across the globe and still represents the most-produced aircraft in the history of aviation with totals reaching over 44,000 units to date (amazingly it remains in production). That same year, the company revealed a follow-up model along the same lines, the Model 182 "Skylane" - which represents the company's second-most produced product with over 23,235 examples completed since introduction.
The success of the Model 182 has led to several restarts in production. The first chapter spanned from 1956 until 1985 and the next followed from 1996 until 2012. In 2015, manufacture was restarted, yet again, and has since lasted to the present day (2018).
Model 182 Walk-Around
The Model 182 was developed as an offshoot of the tail-dragging Model 180 "Skywagon" with the chief obvious change being the switch to a fixed tricycle undercarriage. The aircraft retained the Cessna-standard shoulder-mounted wing mainplanes, giving the system excellent lifting properties and strong low-speed handling characteristics. This led to an effective aircraft with rugged specifications and good short-field performance. Construction of the aircraft has involved aluminum alloys and fiberglass. The engine was retained in the nose with side-by-side seating for the forward occupants. The rear offered seating for up to two passengers with onboard luggage stowing capability being inherent.
Throughout its extensive service life, the Model 182 family has been progressively evolved to include changes brought into other Cessna light aircraft model series such as the Model 172. This has included widened fuselages, revised tail and wing elements, and altogether complete engine changes.
Model 182 Variants Short-List
Variants of the Model 182 has been plenty beginning with initial production models of 1956 carrying the simple "182" designation and powered by a Continental O-470-L piston engine with a gross weight of 2,550lb. Then followed the Model 182A which was the first to receive the "Skylane" name. A bevy of variants continued the line from the Model B to the Model H and then on to the Model J through the Model N. The 182P and 182Q were brought online in 1971 and 1976, respectively. The 182R saw gross weight reach 3,100lb and was certified in 1980. The 182S switched from the Continental series engine to the Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5. Certification of this mark arrived in October of 1996. The R182 and TR182 were offered with retractable undercarriages from 1978 onward and included slightly enhanced performance statistics.
The Model 182T
The Model 182T has an empty weight of 2,000lb with a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 3,100lb. Power is from a single Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 engine developing 230 horsepower and driving a three-bladed constant speed propeller. Maximum speed is 175 miles-per-hour with a cruising speed nearing 170mph. Range is out to 1,070 miles and the aircraft's service ceiling reaches 18,100 feet. Rate-of-climb is 925 feet-per-minute.
Model 182 Operators
The ease-of-operation and maintenance has meant that the Model 182 is a proven performer for private flyers, flying schools, military and governmental organizations worldwide. The series has counted several military powers to its name: Afghanistan (Air Force), Argentina (Army Aviation), Canada (Army), Chile (Air Force), Ecuador (Army), El Salvador (Air Force), Guatemala (Air Force), Mexico (Air Force), the United Arab Emirates (Air Force), Uruguay (Air Force), and Venezuela (Army and Air Force).
Afghanistan; Argentina; Belgium; Canada; Chile; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala; Mexico; United Arab Emirates; United States; Uruguay; Venezuela
