TYPE: Four-seat lightplane.

PROGRAMME: Development of previous versions, first of which was certified on 2 March 1956; total of 19,773 earlier Model 182/Skylanes were built between 1956 and 1985, when production was suspended. Manufacture resumed when three preproduction 182Ss assembled at East Pawnee, Wichita, plant under Single-Engine Pilot Program, of which the first (N182NU) flew on 16 July 1996; FAA FAR Pt 23 certification achieved by Model 182S on 3 October 1996 after 164 flight test hours; assembly of first new production aircraft (N182FN) began at Independence 25 September 1996, with delivery 24 April 1997. Cessna 182S supplanted when delivery of improved 182T and T182T versions began in May 2001.

CURRENT VERSIONS: 182T Skylane: As described. Standard version from 2001 model year, announced at the NBAA Convention at New Orleans on 9 October 2000; FAA certification 23 February 2001. Compared to 182S features redesigned wingtips, restyled and reclocked main landing gear fairings, improved nose gear fairing, low-drag wing strut fairings, streamlined refuelling and entrance steps, and improved interiors featuring sculptured composite side panels with integrated cupholders and cushioned armrests, removable overhead panels for simplified maintenance, Rosen sun visors, lightweight door handles, and a 12 V electrical port for use with a portable GPS, CD player or laptop computer. New optional avionics include a 12.7 cm (5 in) Honeywell KMD 550 LCD colour MFD with Stormscope that interfaces with the previously available KLN 94 colour IFR GPS. Standard empty weight 860 kg (1,897 lb); maximum level speed at S/L 150 kt (278 km/h; 173 mph); cruising speed at 80 per cent power at 2,135 m (7,000 ft), 145 kt (269 km/h; 167 mph); range with maximum fuel, 45 min reserves at 75 per cent power at 2,440 m (8,000 ft), 813 n miles (1,505 km; 935 miles).
T182T Turbo Skylane: Turbocharged version. Described separately.
Millennium Edition: Special configuration limited edition of 182S, briefly available from April 2000.

CUSTOMERS: Total 1,250 normally aspirated Model 182s of current series built by mid-2003, comprising 944 182Ss and 306 182Ts.
Recent customers include the Mexican Air Force, which had taken delivery of 76 Skylanes by June 2000, the Louisiana State Department of Agriculture and Forestry, which ordered 18 for delivery in early 2003, and the US Civil Air Patrol, which ordered 15 for delivery in 2003. Total of 248 delivered in 1999, 267 in 2000, 142 in 2001, 109 in 2002, and 63 in the first nine months of 2003.

COSTS: US$260,000 standard equipped; with NAV I package, US$278,100; with NAV II or NAV III package, US$297,500 (all 2003).

DESIGN FEATURES: Generally as for Cessna 172.
Wing section NACA 2412 (modified); incidence 0° 47' at root, -2° 50' at tip; dihedral 1° 44'.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Actuation by stainless steel control cables; modified Frise ailerons; electrically actuated single-slotted Para Lift flaps; trim tabs on elevator and rudder. Control surface movements: ailerons +20°/-15°; elevator +28°/-21°; rudder ±24°; flaps -38°.

STRUCTURE: Conventional light alloy, with composites for some non-structural components such as nose-bowl, wing-, tailplane- and fin-caps, and fairings. Epoxy corrosion proofing and polyurethane exterior paint standard.

LANDING GEAR: Fixed tricycle type with Cessna Land-O-Matic cantilever tapered steel tube main legs and oleo-pneumatic nose leg; steerable nosewheel, tyre size 5.00x5, mainwheel tyre size 6.00x6; hydraulic brakes. Wheel fairings optional.

POWER PLANT: One 172 kW (230 hp) Textron Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 flat-six piston engine driving a three-blade, constant-speed McCauley B3D36C431/80VSA-1 metal propeller. Fuel contained in two integral wing tanks, combined capacity 348 litres (92.0 US gallons; 76.6 Imp gallons) of which 329 litres (87.0 US gallons; 72.4 Imp gallons) are usable. Refuelling points on upper surface of each wing. Oil capacity 8.5 litres (2.25 US gallons; 1.9 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Four persons in two pairs on contoured, energy-absorbing seats, dynamically tested to 26 g, those for pilot and front seat passenger being vertically adjustable, reclining and mounted on enlarged seat rails with dual locking pins; dual controls standard; rear bench saet with reclining back; inertia reel harnesses for all occupants; tinted windows with hinged side windows; ambient noise reduction soundproofing; composites headliner, and double-pin latching system for cabin doors. Baggage compartment to rear of cabin, with access door on port side. Cabin is heated and ventilated. Air conditioning optional.

SYSTEMS: Electrical system comprising 28 V 60 A alternator and 24 V 12.75 Ah battery.

AVIONICS: Comms: Dual Bendix/King KX 155A nav/com glideslope; KMA 28 audio panel, ELT and KT 76C Mode C transponder all standard.
Flight: Bendix/King KAP 140 two-axis autopilot and KI 209A VOR/LOC/GS standard. NAV I package adds KI 209 VOR/LOC, KLN 94 moving map, KMD 550 MFD and MD 41-230 GPS-NAV selector; NAV II package adds KCS 55A compass and Goodrich WX500 Stormscope and MD41-233 GPS-NAV. Options to NAV II include KR 87 ADF (also with NAV I) and KMH 880 hazard awareness system.
NAV III package, announced at the NBAA Convention in Orlando on 7 October 2003 and available as option from second quarter 2004, features Garmin G1000 all-glass integrated cockpit comprising two 264 mm (10.4 in) high-resolution, wide viewing angle XGA screens for PFD and MFD functions; solid-state AHRS and digital air data computer; dual VHF com radios; dual VOR/LOC/ILS receivers; dual GPS receivers with future WAAS upgrade capability; Mode S transponder and Traffic Information System; WX-500 Stormscope displayed on EFIS screens; digital audio panel/intercom with ATC playback recording; XM satellite Radio entertainment system; turbine-class switch panels with electro-luminescent lighting; and simplified line-replaceable units to minimise down time.