Plane & Pilot 2021 Buyer‘s Guide: Single-Engine Piston Planes

Newcomers, upgrades, and old favorites: 20 piston singles for 2017.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The piston single aircraft market offers a diverse range of options, from advanced pressurized models like the Piper M350 to versatile trainers such as the Piper Archer and Tecnam P2010.
  • Many leading aircraft feature significant updates, prominently integrating advanced avionics like Garmin's G1000 NXi and G3000 suites for enhanced safety and functionality.
  • Key models highlighted include the perennial best-seller Cirrus SR22 G6 (with its recovery parachute), the high-performance Cessna TTx, and updated Mooney M20 Acclaim/Ovation Ultra models known for speed and comfort.
  • Despite relatively low overall sales, the industry continues to innovate, offering various niches catering to pilots seeking premium personal transport, utility, or modern training platforms.
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Cessna 182 Skylane
Cessna 182 Skylane

Cessna 182 Skylane

One of the most popular airplanes of all time, the 182 Skylane is arguably the best-executed compromise in aviation history, with good speed (145 knots), simple operation (fixed gear, low landing speeds), great useful load and rugged reliability. No wonder Cessna has built around 25,000 182s since its introduction in 1956. Today’s Skylane features a 230 hp Lycoming IO-540 and is a far cry from that early bird. While still the same basic airframe, in most regards today’s model is far more technologically advanced, with Garmin G1000 avionics with synthetic vision, safer, with better seats, flap configuration and fuel management (and electronic enhancements), much quieter inside and more comfortable. This airplane is for people who want to go moderate distances, carry an impressive load and enjoy the view that only a high-wing airplane can provide.

Niche: Fixed-gear utility

Base Price: $470,000

Competitors: Tecnam P2010, Diamond DA40, Maule M7-235

Read our latest Cessna 182 pilot report on the Skylane NXi. You can also check out our review of Used Cessna 182 Skylanes or visit the flight levels with our Turbo Skylane pilot report.

Cessna 182 Skylane Specifications

Learn more at Cessna.

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