This 1962 Cessna 182E Skylane Is an Honest ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1962 Cessna 182E Skylane.

Standing as one of general aviation’s most legendary workhorses, the Cessna 182 Skylane is revered for its stellar dispatch reliability and rugged capabilities. It strikes a rare balance in the owner-flown market, delivering ample payload and cross-country performance while remaining incredibly docile and forgiving to fly.

Averaging just over 60 hours of flight time a year, this continuously hangared 1962 airframe shows 4,000 hours total time and boasts no damage history. The exterior wears an original 1970s-era cream paint scheme with brown-and-gold striping, offering a presentable, classic aesthetic that functions perfectly for a dedicated operator.

Pilots stepping into the cabin will be greeted by a surprisingly sophisticated IFR platform, anchored by a touchscreen Garmin GTN 750 WAAS navigator and an RC Allen digital backup attitude indicator. The panel is further modernized with a Garmin GTX 327 transponder, GDL 88 dual-link ADS-B transceiver, and Flight Stream 210 for seamless wireless iPad integration. 

Passengers relax on clean, tan corduroy seats, though the door jambs and lower plastics present an opportunity for cosmetic refurbishment.

Providing the muscle for this cross-country machine is a 230 hp Continental O-470-R engine with 1,200 hours since major overhaul. Attached to the nose is a recently installed Hartzell three-blade scimitar Top Prop with a mere 205 hours since new, yielding superior climb performance and smoother ride. Additionally, a Reiff SL6 engine preheat system and STC’d 82-gallon, extended-range tanks make it highly capable for cold-weather mountain operations and long endurance legs.

Offered at $129,500, this well-equipped Cessna 182E Skylane is based in Truckee, California, and comes with complete logbooks back to new. With an annual inspection current through November 2026, it represents a stellar IFR aircraft with room for a new owner’s personal touches.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.