The Cessna 182 Skylane is the step up from a 172 that most owners eventually want — more power, more useful load, and the ability to carry four adults and bags with ease. It's a superb family and cross-country airplane and finances as readily as it flies.
Key takeaways
- Capable hauler: carries four adults and bags; ~140-knot cruise.
- Wide market: $100,000–$600,000 across a long production history.
- Easy to finance thanks to strong demand and resale.
About the Cessna 182
The 182 pairs a 230-horsepower engine with a stable, forgiving airframe and a big useful load. It's equally at home on family trips, backcountry strips (with the right mods), and float operations. Newer 182Ts add glass panels; classic 182s offer tremendous value.
It's one of the most practical single-engine airplanes ever built, which is why the used market is deep and values hold. Buy on engine time, avionics, and condition.
Ownership Considerations
- Fuel: ~12–14 gph — reasonable for the capability.
- Insurance: moderate for a fixed-gear single; higher for float operations.
- Maintenance: excellent parts support; a healthy annual is a multi-thousand-dollar event.
- Modifications: floats and STOL kits are common — document them.
What to Check When Buying a Cessna 182
Focus the pre-buy on engine time since overhaul (with compression and borescope checks), avionics generation, damage history, and complete logbooks; older airframes warrant a careful corrosion inspection. Use a type-experienced shop — lenders typically require a pre-buy before funding.
Financing a Cessna 182
As a piston single, a Cessna 182 typically finances with 15–20% down and terms up to 20 years for a well-qualified buyer, with engine time, avionics, damage history, and your credit driving the rate. Insurance rises with performance and low time-in-type and must bind before funding. Jaken Aviation is a brokerage, not a lender — we shop your loan across a national network of aviation lenders. For rates, worked examples, and how to apply, see the resources below.
Prices and financing figures in this article are illustrative for the 2026 market and are not offers of credit. Jaken Aviation is a licensed aircraft financing brokerage — a division of Jaken Finance Group — and does not make loan decisions. All financing is subject to lender approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cessna 182 easy to finance?
Yes — as a popular, strong-resale single it finances readily on standard terms for well-qualified buyers.
182 or 172?
The 182 offers more power and useful load at a higher price; the 172 is the economical trainer. Both finance similarly.
Can I finance an older Skylane?
Yes, usually with a larger down payment and shorter term; engine time and corrosion history matter most.
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