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My lovely wife and I have been enjoying our C-150 immensely, but it appears that we may be expanding the size of our family in the near-future. In a few months, the C-150 will no longer meet my primary mission--to take my family on trips between 50 and 500nm. I know you can get a childseat for the 150, but if I put myself, my wife, a childseat and a child in the plane, there will be no room at all for baggage and fuel.

It looks like a larger plane is in order.

I have been pondering what my next plane will be, and I think I would like to get an older 182 with a decent panel, decent paint and interior, and decent engine. I am not looking to buy a "bargain" aircraft in order to fix it up. I would much rather buy a plane that someone else has already fixed up.

I have been browsing ads of 182s for sale in the local area and came across this plane:

N21PV at Barnstormers [barnstormers.com]

Here is the spec sheet:
1966 Cessna 182
Engine Time: 250 hours since Ly-con Overhaul
Propeller Time: 479 hours since Overhaul
Airframe Time: 4630 hours new
Engine: 230HP@ 2600 RPM Continental 0-470-R
Long Range Fuel: 80 gallons

Avionics:
PS Engineering 7000 Audio Panel/Intercom/ Marker Beacon
Garmin MX-20 Multi-function display
Garmin GNS-480 GPS/NAV/COM/
Garmin SL-40 COM
Garmin GTX 327 Transponder
Engine Monitor GEM 610 Six cylinder engine monitor
Century I Single Axis Autopilot
Ice Man Carburetor Ice Detector


Custom Equipment/Options
New Interior
Shoulder Harnesses
New Windscreen (front window)
Flat Mounted Flight Instruments
Flap gap seals – speed mod
Pulselight Landing light flasher system
Standby Vacuum System – Precise Flight
Music plug in to Intercom system
4 place built-in intercom
Radio master
Dual Push to Talk switches
ELT upgrade ACK with panel Mounted Remote switch
Monarch Fuel Caps

$69,000 Dollars


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Any thoughts on buying a Cessna 182 as an "upgrade" to a 150 for a family that is adding members?

Any thoughts on this particualr plane?

Is there a Cessna 182 club that is analagous to this one?

You can stay right here. There are several mechanics/owners who are intimately familiar with the 180/182 series and the O-470 Continental engine.

If we allow piper drivers to stick around, surely a "big-brother" driver would be welcome.

As for the 182, they're very nice airplanes. They're very roomy, forgiving, and stout. Just learn to land without touching the nosewheel first, and you've got it licked.

Personal opinion: There is not a better all round general aviation airplane built.
Some of the good points about 182s in general:
1. Great space, comfortable cabin. Good ventilation and heater.
2. One of the few GA airplanes that will allow you to fill the seats and the tanks at the same time.
3. Good range with 78 gallons usable (75 gallons if you believe the AD.)
4. Decent speed. You can flight plan 135 kts and be comfortable about making it..
5. Very stable, good IFR platform, if you are interested in that sort of thing.
6. Good airplane for high elevation airports.
7. Decent short field capabilities.
8. Reasonable fuel burn – no wind ~13 MPG (a 150 gets around 16.5 MPG)
9. Insurance not too bad – should cost your $1200 to $1500 per year.
10. Annual inspection not too bad – around $600.
11. There is a good steady demand for 182s and they hold their value better than some other complex singles.

Some of the bad points about 182s in general:
1. All 182s are nose heavy with one or too up. Put 50 to 60 pounds in the luggage compartment and that will fix the problem.
2. After flying a 150 you will feel like you are driving a truck. But you will get used to that in a few hours. And you will appreciate the stability when flying cross country and a better ride than a 150 in turbulence.
3. It is harder to get out of and into the hanger. An empty 182 will weigh more than a 150 at gross.
4. If you do much of your own maintenance you will find that removing the lower cowl is a bear and you have to have help to put it back on.

All around the 182 is a well balance (capability wise), very capable and reliable airplane. It does not excel in any aspect but does everything pretty darn well.

As for N21PV it seems to be pretty well equipped with reasonable time on the moving parts. The airframe is probably about average for its’ age. The price is in the right ball park, looks just about what I would expect.

Just a couple of comments on the equipment. The listing does not say whether or not the Century I is coupled to the nav radios. It is a really good unit. I have had a couple of these and they both had an input for coupling. If the plane does not have a heading bug on the DG you will want that too.

I would loose the flap gap seals. I flew one with gap seals and hated it. The flaps loose efficiency when air can pass over the flap. With gap seals the flaps are more like speed brakes than flaps.

If you are going to be doing any serious IFR flying you may want to think about getting a second Nav radio. For a while you will still need to find intersections that are defined by the crossing of two VOR radials and while it can be done with one nav radio it is a bear and more work load than I would want to content with.

No there is no 182 that is analogous to this one. Again personal opinion; there is no type club that is analogous to this one. The closest thing that I have found is the Cessna Pilot’s Association (CPA). They have an active and lively 182 forum but it deals primarily with technical issues.

Hope this helped. BTW if you haven’t guessed by now I am flying a 182 and it is my second one. I dearly loved my 150 but my wife hated the itty bitty cabin (when Mama isn’t happy nobodys happy

Good luck.

Timothy,
That's a very nice avionics/instrument package offered with the plane! Good luck with the pre-buy!

Looks like a decent bird.

If you are not in a big hurry, John Frank, of The Cessna Pilots Association, wrote a book on buying and owning a 182. I purchased one in case I got the itch for more seats. It is an excellent read on the subjuect and the pre buy checklist is very good. I let an interesting 182 go without buying recently because the the bladder tanks were original, which in this case was twenty five years old. After the fact our local A&E said replacemnt was no big deal and could be done reasonably. He has been a good source in the past and is usually quite close on estimates. On occasion I regret not getting the 182.

Thanks for the tip. I ordered the book today.

I'm not exactly in a big hurry, but it seems like a buyers market right now, so I'm looking for just the right bird.

Wayne's comments in re 182's are right on!

I've had some time in them as rentals, and they are great planes. Especially for mountain flying. You will enjoy all of the extra space and load handling capability.

The plane you are looking at appears to be priced in the ballpark. A little higher than what he'd probably take for it, but what's new.

Also, take a look at the C177B Cardinal. It is not quite the hauler that the 182 is, but nice copies are available in the $55-60K range.

But can't argue that the 182 is a fantastic bird, and mid 60's get's you into most of the better improvements over the early birds.

I took N21PV for a test flight today and came away impressed. I brought my wife along and she is telling me I need to buy that plane, now.

I've never flown a 182 before. I found it to be a very nice experience. I understand the whole "It feels like a pickup truck." thnkg that people keep talking about.

After that flight, I came away convinced that I really do need to sell my 150 and "upgrade" to a 182.

I don't want to risk owning two airplanes at the same time, so I will be putting N704LF up for sale shortly, and after she sells, plan on buying a 182.

If N21PV remains for sale by the time I have sold my 150, then I will plan on buying it. If not, I will find a different 182.

I will probably use a broker to sell my plane as I don't have the time or energy to deal with selling it myself.

All you Cessna 150-M lovers who are looking for a plane with less than 1000 hrs TTAF, get ready, because my bird will be up for sale shortly.