Buying a Cessna 182 in Canada: a buyer's guide

MarketPlane.ca · July 18, 2026

The step up that actually carries four adults and bags. Why a nose-heavy 182 makes prop-strike and firewall history the first thing to check in the logs.

The 182 is the aircraft a 172 owner grows into

The Cessna 182 Skylane does what a 172 promises but can't always deliver: carry four real adults and their bags, off shorter and higher strips, on wheels or floats. It's the natural step up, and in Canada it's a staple of backcountry and float flying. This guide covers what to check and what to pay. For the live number, see current Canadian aircraft prices by make and model.

The variants, briefly

Early straight-tail (1956–1959): cheapest, classic looks, less useful load.
182 through 182P/Q (1960s–70s): the bulk of the fleet. Capable, affordable, well-supported.
182RG (retractable, 1978–1986): a bit faster, with more maintenance and cost, and a smaller buyer pool.
182R and restart 182T (1996–present): fuel-injected, modern panels, priciest to buy.

What to check before you buy

The 182 carries a heavy engine up front, so pay close attention to the firewall, nose gear and any prop-strike or hard-landing history, because a wrinkled firewall is expensive. Beyond that: corrosion (especially on floatplanes), spar and strut condition, exhaust, and logbook continuity with AD compliance. Confirm engine time against TBO, and always get an independent pre-purchase inspection.

What it costs to buy and to own

Expect higher fuel burn and a bigger overhaul bill than a 172 in exchange for the capability. See the live Canadian market for current 182 prices, and what used aircraft actually cost in Canada for the ownership side: annual, insurance, hangar and engine reserve.

Paperwork and next steps

You'll want complete logbooks, weight and balance, AD compliance and the Certificate of Registration, then a bill of sale and the Transport Canada registration transfer. Considering a US aircraft? Run it through the US-to-Canada import cost calculator first. When you're ready, browse Cessna 182s and other aircraft for sale in Canada.

Common questions

How much does a Cessna 182 cost in Canada?

More than a 172 and less than a Bonanza, across a broad band from older straight-tail Skylanes to low-time, IFR-equipped later models. Check current Canadian asking prices at /models and adjust for engine time, avionics and whether it's the fixed-gear 182 or the retractable RG.

Is the Cessna 182 a good step up from a 172?

It's the classic next aircraft: more power, more useful load, and it actually carries four adults and bags, which is the thing a loaded 172 struggles with. It costs more to buy and run, but for hauling people, floats or gear into backcountry strips it's in a different class.

What should a pre-purchase inspection focus on on a 182?

The 182 is famously nose-heavy, so firewall and nose-gear condition and any history of prop strikes or hard landings matter. Add the usual: corrosion, spar and strut condition, exhaust, complete logbooks and AD compliance, and engine time against TBO. On the retractable RG, budget for gear-system maintenance.

Fixed gear or retractable (RG)?

For most owners, fixed gear. The RG's speed gain is modest and it adds maintenance, insurance and complexity. The standard fixed-gear 182 is the one that resells easily and keeps ownership simple.

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