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).
Specifications
Year: 1956
Status Active, In-Service
Crew 1
Production 23,240 Units
Cessna Aircraft Company / Textron Aviation - USA
Afghanistan; Argentina; Belgium; Canada; Chile; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala; Mexico; United Arab Emirates; United States; Uruguay; Venezuela
- Close-Air Support (CAS)
- Commercial Market
- Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)
- Search and Rescue (SAR)
- Training
Length:
29.04 ft (8.85 m)
Width:
36.09 ft (11 m)
Height:
9.19 ft (2.8 m)
Empty Weight:
1,973 lb (895 kg)
MTOW:
3,097 lb (1,405 kg)
(Diff: +1,124lb)
(Showcased weight values pertain to the Cessna Model 182T production model)
1 x Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 piston engine developing 230 horsepower and driving a three-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
Max Speed:
174 mph (280 kph; 151 kts)
Service Ceiling:
18,110 feet (5,520 m; 3.43 miles)
Max Range:
1,072 miles (1,725 km; 931 nm)
Rate-of-Climb:
925 ft/min (282 m/min)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the Cessna Model 182T production model; Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)
None.
(Showcased armament details pertain to the Cessna Model 182T production model)
182 "Skylane" - Base Series Designation
(Cockpit image represents the Cessna Model 182 Skylane with Garmin 1000 avionics fit. production model)
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry. The rating is out of a possible 100.
32
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 200mph
Lo: 100mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (174mph).
Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Cessna Model 182T operational range when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
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Afghanistan; Argentina; Belgium; Canada; Chile; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala; Mexico; United Arab Emirates; United States; Uruguay; Venezuela
