Category Archives: Cessna 182

Cessna 182, good for low time pilot?

Posted on by

Cessna 182, good for low time pilot?

cessna 182

Recently I had a call asking “should a low time pilot buy a Cessna 182”?  The caller was concerned because they only had 75 hours total time and all of that was in a Cessna 172. On top of that, they had a chance to buy a Cessna 182 that has very low time and is a clean airplane, should they be concerned about their low total time when moving up to a 182?

My quick thoughts. The Cessna 182 is a great aircraft. It offers an excellent platform for instrument (IFR) training, is a respectable cross country aircraft and is reasonably cost effective to operate. As a private pilot, your first year will be a little more expensive to insure because of your low hours, but that’s about it.  Yes, it does cost slightly more to maintain than a Cessna 172, but the difference is slight, mainly in the fuel burn and engine costs.  The Continental six-cylinder, 470 engine (or the Lycoming 540 in the new models) are very reliable engines.  Parts are in supply, aftermarket items and service is available almost anywhere you can fly to.

About the only thing that seems to bother the 182 are the fuel bladders in the pre-1979 aircraft and the nose gear impacts that low time pilots inflict during training. The 182 gets quite a few hard landings on the nose, typically when they are full of fuel and lightly loaded with passengers and baggage.  A pilot tends to run out of elevator in the flare a little higher than they should and drop them on the nose.  Nothing that cannot be corrected with a good dose of training at different loads.

As with any other aircraft, a good pre-buy inspection for damage history, corrosion and maintenance should be done before the purchase.  Also line up an instructor that has a fair amount of time in the Cessna 182 and they can show you how well the aircraft can really perform. Oh, and if you are used to the Cessna 172, the 182 will just require more arm muscles in the flare.  The heavy control pressure will be notable for the first few hours, after that, it’s a typical Cessna!

Don’t let your aviation insurance lapse!

Posted on by

Aviation insurance lapse?

Don’t let your aviation insurance lapse or expire just because you are not flying or the cost of your insurance. With the corona virus issues in the country, many pilots have parked their aircraft.  Which is fine in some cases, but it might not be the best for everyone.

There have been changes happening daily in aviation insurance underwriting for the last year or so.  One of which is the aviation insurance premiums are increasing.  We have see 10% to even 100% premium increases (depending on the plane and pilot).

But it’s not just the premiums increasing, the underwriting requirements are also changing.  Depending on your aircraft and your age, if you let your coverage lapse, you might not get quoted again. Aviation insurance is not an automatic renewal, you need to start over each year.

If you have a unique or low production aircraft you might have difficulty getting a company to quote the aircraft.

This is also especially important if you are close to 65 years old or older!  Make sure you contact us (or your broker) before you let your insurance expire.  There are aviation underwriters that will not quote new business for pilots older than 65.  Once you cancel or let a policy expire, you become “new” business. At that point, the insurance underwriter that you let expire does not have to take you back.

There are options to keep the coverage in place even if you are not flying.  You could keep ground not-in-motion coverage on the hull to protect it from fire theft and storms.  Or you can reduce the coverage to liability only.

The idea is to keep the policy in place and not have the risk of not being able to get coverage in the future.

Questions, contact SkySmith at – ins@skysmith.com or 515-289-1439

insurance lapse

FORWARD VISION ANNOUNCES CESSNA STC/AML FOR 100/200 SERIES AIRCRAFT

Posted on by

This is a great system that adds safety to every flight. You don’t need to be in bad weather to appreciate it. Forward Vision, check it out.

FORWARD VISION ANNOUNCES CESSNA STC/AML FOR 100/200 SERIES AIRCRAFT

Russell, PA., June 15, 2009: Forward Vision Systems, Inc announced today the issuance of a Supplemental Type Certificate (“STC”) for installation of its Enhanced Vision Systems on most single-engine Cessna model aircraft.

“Our team is thrilled to offer safer skies to upward of 40,000 Cessna aircraft owners”, noted Patrick Farrell, CEO and Founder. “With this STC, Forward Vision affirms its position as the industry leader in making this safety technology available to GA pilots around the world-and we welcome Cessna operators to our family.” Farrell noted that this latest STC includes all 158 models of Cessna 100 and 200 series models except the 208 and P210 models, the latter being handled under separate STC initiatives to be completed soon.

EVS systems -commonly known as infrared or thermal imaging cameras-turn night into day for the pilot and help to penetrate haze, fog, smoke and precipitation 8 to 10 times further than the human eye. Easily installed (like an antenna) and intuitive to use, Forward Vision’s EVS 100/600 systems utilize military-grade infrared detectors, are “sunlight safe,” and offer excellent gray scale for remarkable detail and sensitivity. Though EVS has been available in business jets for some time, the Forward. Vision.® EVS-100/600 systems are designed specifically for use in light general aviation aircraft.

The Cessna STC follows the success of a Company announcement earlier this year for an STC on Cirrus models. At Sun N Fun, world-renowned airshow performer Patty Wagstaff announced her support of the Forward Vision EVS-100, which she is installing on her personal SR22 Cirrus. “The reason I am still here doing what I love to do, besides the constant practicing”, said Wagstaff, “is I have taken time to investigate and then equip my aircraft to the safest possible standards. The Forward-Vision EVS-100, like the parachute on my Cirrus, gives me one additional level of safety”.

The Cessna STC for the Forward Vision EVS-100 was developed in conjunction with One Sky Aviation. The Company anticipates STC kit availability to be imminent, and noted that installation can be done by virtually any qualified aircraft maintenance facility in approximately one day.

“See What You’ve Been Missing!” ™

About Forward. Vision.®
Forward Vision continues as the industry leader in the integration of affordable EVS technology into the general aviation cockpit. These systems help to prevent spatial disorientation, inadvertent entry into IMC when VFR, CFIT, midairs, runway incursions and airport accidents.

Forward Vision is the exclusive distributor/integrator of the EVS-100 and EVS-600 product line designed, certified and manufactured by Max-Viz, Inc. and refined to Forward Vision specifications under a private label agreement. Forward Vision provides product sales, airframe certifications (STC’s) and installation/operational support for EVS applications in the General Aviation fleet. For more information about Forward Vision and it’s products, please go to www.forward-vision.net .