Issue20_Cessna_182

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[ FLY ]

CHAMPION OF VERSATILITY

Agile, straightforward flight deck management and easy to pilot.

The Cessna 182 has made history and the “T” version fits right in, making improvements in cabin materials and comfort

by Sergio Barlocchetti - Ph. courtesy by Cessna

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[ FLY ]

I

don’t think there’s a single private pilot in the world who

within the parameters. However, if I can be a bit pernickety, the

hasn’t flown a Cessna 182 Skylane at least once. And the fact

one thing it does lack is air conditioning as standard.

that thousands of examples have come off the production line

The price of around 600,000 dollars buys high level equipment that

between 1956 and 1985 and then 1996 to today is largely down to

also includes a Bluetooth mobile phone interface and the ability to

its personality as an airborne saloon car that can carry family and

pipe music through the on-board intercom.

luggage without too many limitations and concerns. Old-school all-

To give the C182T a thorough workout I decided to carry out

aluminium construction means low-cost repairs and almost infinite

the test at Milan’s general aviation airport, callsign ICAO LIMB,

product lifetime.

where the runway is only a thousand metres long, tall buildings

So when Cessna invited me to test fly their “T” version equipped

surround the airfield and the outside temperature at three in the

with Garmin 1000Nxi avionics, I jumped at the chance. This

afternoon in mid-June was 34 °C. These conditions inevitably have

instrumentation means that the flight plan can be sent directly from

a negative impact on the performance of the 230hp Lycoming IO-

a tablet, weight and centre of gravity can be checked without having

540 piston engine, so we’d see how well the three-blade McCauley

to calculate them – which avoids errors – and you board a cockpit

prop transforms the power into thrust. What’s more there were four

fitted out like a luxury saloon car, although the aircraft retains the

of us on board and the fuel tanks were full to limit imposed by the

simplicity and economy that have made this model famous.

maximum permitted take-off weight of 3,100 pounds.

As 70% of private pilots learn to fly on a Cessna, there’s no need

The results were striking – we left the ground less than halfway

to wonder if you’ll be able to fly it, just read the manual and keep

along the runway, with the avionics suite providing a picture of

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The cockpit resembles the interior of a luxury saloon, complete with a full range of equipment, including Bluetooth mobile phone interface and the ability to pipe music through the on-board intercom

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[ FLY ]

The Cessna 182T is powered by a 230hp Lycoming IO-540 and features Garmin 1000Nxi avionics. It has a cruising speed of 145 knots and a range of 1,600 kilometres

the surrounding traffic and the characteristics of the airspace

The performance figures come in at a fast cruising speed of 145

over northern Italy, notorious for its complexity and heavy

knots, a range of over 1,600 km (if the aircraft isn’t loaded as

traffic. Climb performance was more than acceptable, easing

heavily as mine) and can use all available runways at least 1,600

our concerns about the proximity of the city centre, the autopilot

ft long. As a result the Cessna C182T can access spectacular

was easy to use, complete with self-levelling function and trim

coastal destinations like the island of Vrsar (Orsera) in Croatia,

controls that I put to the test above the town of Como and its

Elba, Venice Lido and Pantelleria in Italy and Siracusa in Sicily,

magnificent lake. Headphones are necessary on board this class

avoiding the high costs and red tape associated with large

of aircraft, but without active noise-cancelling phones it was even

international airports. It can cope with holdalls and golf clubs,

possible to enjoy some classical music, which mostly occupies

and our companions will be all the happier when they can take

the mid-range rather than the concentration in the high and bass

along that extra pair of shoes!

registers typical of rock music.

www.cessna.com

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