Civil Air Patrol buys gas engine Cessna 182s

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) ordered 17 Cessna 182T aircraft in April, marking the first return of the gasoline-powered Skylane to the product lineup since production stopped to await the certification of the diesel-fueled Skylane 182 JT-A.

Cessna confirmed that Lycoming-powered 182s will be available starting the second half of the year. In a statement the company said the diesel JT-A program timeline remains undefined, and that it is "committed to offering customers options for their aircraft needs across the Textron Aviation family."

Development of the 182 JT-A continues although dealers have lost many sales and have returned deposits as delays mounted. Many of the aircraft on the production line that were intended to be powered by the 227-horsepower SMA SR305 will instead receive the fuel-injected 230-hp Lycoming IO-540. The aircraft had been built in anticipation of certification of the diesel model but many emerged from the factory partially completed. Those will receive new seals, tires, and if needed a console planned for the diesel engine, said Gary Schneider, Civil Air Patrol director of logistics.

The 182Ts are also available to other customers. Deliveries of those aircraft are expected to occur in late July or August.

Pricing and specification information distributed to Cessna’s shrinking list of dealers indicate the base price of the 182T is $470,000. The Garmin G1000 avionics suite is listed under options as “no charge.” Other options include a $14,000 Garmin traffic advisory system, a $10,000 Garmin terrain awareness and warning system, a $24,000 enhanced vision system, and a $34,500 air conditioning system. The aircraft has a useful load of 1,142 pounds, and carries 87 gallons of useable fuel out of a total tank capacity of 92 gallons. It has a service ceiling of 18,100 feet.

The Civil Air Patrol is also getting six turbocharged Cessna Skylanes at no charge. The aircraft were rescued from the Afghan Air Force that had planned to destroy them, Schneider said. Cessna technicians on the scene literally saved them, and are shipping them to Ankara, Turkey. From there they will go to Wichita, Kansas, to have markings removed and be prepared for the Civil Air Patrol. Those aircraft most likely will go to Civil Air Patrol operations in Colorado where turbocharged engines are essential, Schneider said.

The expected certification date for the Skylane JT-A has been delayed several times as developmental problems are worked out. The SMA engine has operated successfully in Africa for decades, and has been used in this country by flying clubs and traffic reporters.