Cessna 182T real world cruise speeds

[dennisc172]

Found back on some pictures on my phone OAT about 12-18c. Seeing 132 to 142 TAS speeds on these. Pretty new prop as I remember, engine approaching overhaul time.

 

[Rcmutz]

I have a PA-28-236 which is essentially the Piper equivalent of a 182. If I am to extrapolate from my experience, I would wager that the 182 (and -236) lie in the sweet spot for most GA pilots. Either can easily cruise at an honest 135 knots, but the biggest speed mod is the fuel capacity. I can make it from Miami to Charlotte easily without a fuel stop in just over 4 hours. For shorter trips within the state, the difference in trip time compared to a Bonanza or Cirrus is practically negligible (I don’t care if I get to Disney World in 1:15 versus 1 hour). 160knot airplanes make sense for frequent longer trips. My airplane, just like the 182, is very simple to maintain, gets me to where I need to go reasonably quickly, and has a weight and balance profile I couldn’t exceed if I tried unless I bought a few anvils. As far as GA airplanes go, these airplanes are relatively efficient to own and operate.

And hence your post restates the most often neglected question in aircraft ownership… “What is your 80% mission”? I always love the post that start out with I want, I want to, etc. and then the new owner finds out that he flies 85% of the time by himself, locally 1-2 hrs, because the family is just not into it, and/or, family weekends are taken up with family sports/activities, etc. I only wish it were easier to buy and sell aircraft. Ones needs change over time.

 

[Rcmutz]

A place where the 182 shines versus Comanche or Bo or ... is insurance.

Lower insurance for newer pilot without a lot of retract hours. And cheaper for older pilots, why may not be able to insure a retract. If I had waited a few more years before buying, retract may have not been possible.

And hence the ridiculous pricing currently on 182’s. I believe that market is being driven by the old guys coming back from the retract and twin market as they are driven out by insurance costs or inability to even get insurance on a retract/twin. Id say there is a good $20-30K premium on the 182 market based on that factor alone. Wish those rich Bonanza guys would just stop flying and keep their money!