Cessna 182T Skylane vs Piper Saratoga (PA-32R-301, 1980-2009)
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 Saratoga (PA-32R-301, 1980-2009)
The PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP is the 1980 replacement for the Lance: same six/seven-place Cherokee Six cabin, same retractable gear, but on the **tapered wing** that came in with the Saratoga and with the T-tail experiment abandoned. The certificate's own summary is "Same as Model PA-32R-300 except for tapered wings and other minor changes."
- +155+ knots cruise, six seats, 102 usable gallons—genuine cross-country capability
- +Wide cabin and right-side cargo door
- +IO-540 engine superbly supported; overhaul parts readily available
- !Retractable gear system is high-maintenance and expensive ($1,000–$3,000/year budgeted)
- !Weak or absent gear warning on older airframes; higher-than-average gear-up landing rate
- !Slippery when clean; 132-knot gear extension speed makes unplanned descents difficult without speed brakes
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