Skylane Cessna 182 ❲Editor's Choice❳

Because Cessna built over 23,000 Skylanes (and continues to build them), the parts market is immense. You can upgrade a 1965 182K with:

No other high-performance single has this level of support. skylane cessna 182

This is the single biggest selling point. In a Cessna 172, if you fill all four seats (750 lbs of people), you might only be able to carry 20 gallons of fuel—good for about two hours of flying. In a 182, you can fill all four seats, pack 100 lbs of luggage, and still fill the 87-gallon long-range tanks. It is the ultimate family cross-country machine. Because Cessna built over 23,000 Skylanes (and continues

If you transition from a 172 to a 182, the first thing you’ll notice is the noise. That constant-speed prop at full throttle creates a very different, guttural roar. The second thing is the pull—the takeoff roll is half as long, and the climb angle is dramatically steeper. No other high-performance single has this level of support

However, you must be vigilant. The 182 is a heavy-nosed airplane. On landing, if you flare too aggressively or carry too much power, the nose will pitch up sharply. Conversely, if you land flat, you can porpoise on the nose gear (the Achilles' heel of all tricycle Cessnas).

The Golden Rule of Skylane Landings: Fly it onto the runway. Don’t try to hold it off for a greaser. Aim to touch the main wheels first, then lower the nose. And always treat the elevator trim with respect—it’s extremely powerful.