The Cessna 182 Skylane is the capable step up from a 172 — 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.
Key takeaways
- Capable hauler: four adults and bags, ~140-knot cruise.
- Wide market across a long production history.
- Easy to finance thanks to demand and resale.
About the Cessna 182 Skylane
The 182 pairs a 230-hp engine with a stable, forgiving airframe and strong useful load, cruising around 140 knots. Floats and backcountry mods are common. Newer 182Ts add glass panels; classics offer value. Buy on engine time, avionics, and condition.
| Specification | Cessna 182 Skylane |
|---|---|
| Type | Four-seat single (fixed gear) |
| Engine | Continental O-470 / Lycoming IO-540 (~230 hp) |
| Cruise | ~140 knots |
Typical used price (2026): ~$100,000–$500,000. Condition, avionics, and engine time drive value within that range.
Is the Cessna 182 Skylane Right for You?
The Cessna 182 Skylane fits owners who want a practical four-seat airplane for personal travel, family trips, and building experience. It balances capability, comfort, and cost, and is a common step for pilots moving up from a trainer. Match it to your typical mission and how many seats you'll really use.
Ownership & Operating Costs
- Fuel: moderate for a four-seat single.
- Insurance: reasonable; rises with performance and low time-in-type.
- Maintenance: budget the annual and unscheduled items; parts support varies by type.
- Engine reserve: set aside per flight hour toward overhaul.
For a full framework across models, see our aircraft ownership cost guide.
What to Check When Buying
Focus the pre-buy on engine time since overhaul (with compression and borescope checks), avionics, damage history, and complete logbooks; older airframes warrant a corrosion inspection. A type-experienced shop is worth seeking out.
Financing a Cessna 182 Skylane
A Cessna 182 Skylane finances readily as a piston single — typically 15–20% down and terms up to 20 years for a well-qualified buyer, with engine time, avionics, and your credit driving the rate. Jaken Aviation is a brokerage, not a lender — we shop your loan across a national network of aviation lenders.
Prices, specifications, and financing figures 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 Skylane a good family airplane?
It depends on how many seats and how much range you need. As a four-seat single it handles personal travel and family trips well; confirm the useful load fits your typical load.
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