Cessna 182T Skylane

Overview

The Cessna 182T Skylane is a four-seat, fixed-gear, single-engine land airplane with more power, payload, and fuel capacity than the two-seat trainers in this database. The 182T is used for personal transport, cross-country work, and advanced training where the pilot needs to manage a larger normally aspirated aircraft without retractable landing gear.

This record uses the 182T NAV III handbook basis identified in the source document. The avionics option, serial range, installed equipment, and aircraft records matter. A generic 182 label is not enough to select performance or loading numbers for a particular airplane.

Performance

The handbook basis lists a cruise value of 145 kt and a range value of 915 nm. Those are book values under stated conditions and power settings. Actual results change with altitude, temperature, mixture, wind, loading, engine condition, and the selected reserve policy.

The 182T's 230 hp engine changes the performance discussion from the lighter trainers. Its climb references remain purpose-specific: VX 60 KIAS favors angle, while VY 80 KIAS favors rate. The POH charts provide the relationship between weight, density altitude, and climb performance. A calculator can illustrate the conditions, but it does not replace those charts.

V-speeds

The reference schedule lists VNE 176 KIAS, VNO 140 KIAS, and VA 105 KIAS at the maximum weight basis. The maneuvering speed is not a constant value as weight changes. The flap limit for this record is VFE 95 KIAS.

The VX, VY, and VA glossary entries explain the terminology. The placards and current POH for the aircraft take priority over this page.

Weight and balance

The stated useful load of 1,110 lb gives the 182T more loading margin than a 152 or Warrior II, but it does not make every four-person loading practical. The 88 gal fuel capacity can consume a significant part of the useful load. Full fuel, four adults, and baggage must be tested against the actual empty weight and center of gravity rather than inferred from the seat count.

Use current aircraft arms, fuel quantity, occupant weights, and baggage stations in a loading calculation. The weight and balance calculator is for training and reference only.

Training notes

The 182T is useful for pilots moving into a faster and heavier fixed-gear aircraft. Its larger engine, higher fuel capacity, and higher service ceiling create more planning variables than the basic trainers. The high-wing view remains familiar to a 172 pilot, but the aircraft's loading, performance charts, and engine management need to be taught as a distinct configuration.

Variants

The 182S and 182T share the Skylane family but have separate handbook bases. Turbo 182T aircraft add different engine and performance considerations. These variants should not be combined into one page when the source documents describe materially different limitations or performance.

Sources

The structured values use the Cessna Model 182T NAV III Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Revision 5 dated July 16, 2015, with configuration context from FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 3A13. Confirm the applicable serial range, revision, and aircraft records before using any figure.