Cessna 182T Skylane vs Piper Dakota (1979-1994)
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
iCessna 182T Skylane
The 2001-present Cessna 182T is the **current production 182** and the first Skylane with a glass cockpit (Garmin G1000) from the factory. The 182T inherited the 182S's airframe, Lycoming IO-540 engine, 3,100 lb gross, and 88+ gallon fuel system, then upgraded the panel to G1000 (and later G1000 NXi starting around 2014), added GFC 700 autopilot integration, and refined production quality. Approximately 1,200+ examples have been delivered through 2026, and production continues at modest volumes (40-80 units per year).
- +Factory-integrated Garmin G1000/G1000 NXi glass cockpit with modern avionics
- +GFC 700 autopilot (post-2001) with simplified integration compared to retrofit alternatives
- +Still in active production with strong factory support and parts availability
- !G1000 database currency and software updates require active maintenance and subscription costs
- !GFC 700 autopilot repairs require specialized technicians; not all shops are equipped
- !IO-540 mid-time cylinder compression issues can develop; requires careful pre-buy inspection
Piper Dakota (1979-1994)
The Piper PA-28-235/236 lineage represents the biggest engine ever installed in the PA-28 Cherokee family, producing 235 horsepower from various Lycoming O-540 variants across a production run that spans 1964 to 1987. The series began as the PA-28-235 Cherokee 235 in 1964, evolved through the Charger and Pathfinder marketing names in the 1970s, and culminated in the PA-28-236 Dakota from 1979 to 1987 -- the most refined version, featuring a tapered semi-tapered wing and a stretched fuselage. (Piper's own type certificate, 2A13, closes the Dakota's serial range in the mid-1980s; the run did not continue into the 1990s.)
- +Strong useful load (~1,400 lbs) for four-seat class
- +Genuine cross-country capability (650+ nm range)
- +Excellent parts and mechanic support across GA
- !Fuel consumption (14 GPH at 75% power) limits efficiency
- !Integral wing tanks prone to seam leaks in older airframes
- !O-540 engine overhaul is significant cost ($40k–$55k)
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