Cessna · 1956–1960
Cessna 182 Early (1956-1960)
Specifications
Cruise
135KTAS
Range
615nm
Seats
4
Useful Load
1030lbs
Full-fuel payload
640lbs
Fuel Burn
12.5gph
Fuel Cap.
65gal
MPG
12.4mpg
Stall (Vs0)
49KIAS
T/O roll
705ft
Ldg roll
590ft
Power
230hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Fixed
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$65k
Range
$45k – $100k
Annual all-in
~$14k/yr
All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (12.5 gph)
- $8,125
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $2,133
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $3,742
- Total per year
- $14,000
- Per flight hour
- $140
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 15,536 mi
- Cost per mile
- $0.90/mi
Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.
Strengths
- True 1,000+ lb useful load with four adults and baggage
- Proven 230 HP O-470 engine with broad parts ecosystem and field overhaul support
- 135 KTAS cruise performance — ~20 KTAS faster than contemporary 172
- Durable, smooth-running design with ~4,800 examples produced
Weaknesses
- 60+ year old airframes prone to tail cone corrosion, especially outside-stored examples
- Original O-470-A parts harder to source than later O-470-L variant
- McCauley constant-speed prop hubs require careful inspection for age-related corrosion
- Early fastback fuselage design (small rear windows) limits visibility vs. later models
Overview
The 1956-1960 Cessna 182 covers the first five model years of what would become the workhorse of 230 HP general aviation: original 182 (1956, straight-tail), 182A (1957-1958, swept-tail introduction + "Skylane" name debut), and 182B (1959-1960, refinements). All share the Continental O-470-A or O-470-L 230 HP six-cylinder engine and the fastback fuselage (small rear windows, pre-Omni-Vision) that defines the early-era look.
The 182 was Cessna's answer to the Piper Tri-Pacer in the four-seat 230 HP segment, sharing airframe DNA with the cessna-172 but with significantly more power, a constant-speed propeller (vs the 172's fixed-pitch), and a higher gross weight. The result: a true 1,000+ lb useful-load four-seater capable of 135 KTAS cruise -- a serious touring airplane in 1956 and still capable today.
About 4,800 examples were produced across 182, 182A, and 182B combined (estimates vary).
Variants & History
Variant Breakdown
| Variant | Years | Engine | HP | Gross | Key Changes | Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 | 1956 | Continental O-470-A | 230 | 2,550 | Original. Straight vertical tail. Derived from Cessna 180 with tricycle gear. | ~843 |
| 182A | 1957-1958 | Continental O-470-L | 230 | 2,650 | Swept-back vertical tail (new). "Skylane" name introduced as deluxe option. Gross weight +100 lbs. | ~2,540 |
| 182B | 1959-1960 | Continental O-470-L | 230 | 2,650 | Refined cowling, improved cabin trim. | ~1,422 |
The "Skylane" Distinction
The 1957 182A introduced the "Skylane" name as a deluxe trim option -- mirroring the same year's "Skyhawk" name on the 172B. Original Skylane-trim 182As included:
- Full exterior paint scheme (vs base 182's unpainted aluminum)
- Deluxe interior with upgraded seats
- Standard avionics package (nav/com radios)
- Constant-speed propeller (vs fixed-pitch base option)
Today, "Skylane" is the universal name for the 182 regardless of trim level. The original Skylane-vs-base distinction is essentially irrelevant for resale.
Performance
135 KTAS cruise at 75% power, 12.5 GPH. Climb 980 FPM at sea level. Service ceiling 18,900 ft. This is real four-place performance: the early 182 will haul four adults and reasonable baggage at speeds nearly 20 KTAS faster than the 172 of the same era.
Real-world cruise: 130-135 KTAS at economy settings (65% power), burning 11-12 GPH. Range with reserves at 65-gallon tanks: ~615 NM.
2006 Cessna 172S
G1000 Skyhawk · Mid-Time Engine · Clean Logs
Maintenance & Support
The O-470 is a 230 HP six-cylinder, horizontally-opposed, air-cooled engine with a TBO of 1,500 hours. It is smooth-running and durable -- the workhorse of the 180/182/Cardinal RG line for decades.
| Variant | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| O-470-A | 1956 (182) | Earliest variant. Some parts harder to source. |
| O-470-L | 1957-1960 (182A/B) | More common variant. Excellent parts support. |
Field overhaul: $28,000-$36,000. Factory reman: $40,000+. The O-470 family remained in production through the 182R (1986) and the restart 182S (1997+) used the IO-540 instead -- so the O-470-A/L of early 182s are well-supported by the broader O-470 ecosystem.
Valuation Factors
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Project / needs engine | $32,000-$48,000 |
| Flying but tired | $45,000-$65,000 |
| Well-maintained | $58,000-$85,000 |
| Restored / upgraded | $80,000-$115,000 |
Original 1956 straight-tail 182s command a modest collector premium when restored. 182A/B trade at similar pricing in equivalent condition. Float-equipped early 182s can exceed $130,000 (driven by float value rather than airframe value).
2005 Cessna 182T Skylane
G1000 Skylane · No Damage · Hangared
ADs & Common Problems
Universal Cessna pre-buy concerns apply (see cessna-182-history family page). 182-specific concerns:
- Wing strut attach fittings: AD 99-12-15 mandates inspection. Corrosion at these points can be unrepairable.
- Tail cone corrosion: Common on outside-stored airframes. Inspect with tail cone removed.
- Nose strut cracking: AD 2007-23-04 mandates inspection. Repairs costly.
- Original O-470-A parts: First-year O-470-A engines have unique accessories. Verify part numbers against current support.
- Constant-speed prop hub condition: 60+ year old McCauley props need careful inspection of hub corrosion.
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