American Champion Decathlon vs Cessna 182
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
American Champion Decathlon
No active listings right now.
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 167
- Source marketplaces
- 21
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
American Champion Decathlon — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 209 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 82 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 49 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 165 |
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | American Champion Decathlon | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 2779 |
| Serious | — | 249 |
| Fatal | — | 529 |
| Fatalities | — | 1000 |
| % Fatal | — | 19% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | American Champion Decathlon | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | — | $104,725 – $564,768 |
| Category | — | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 180 HP | 230–235 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 117 kts (217 km/h) | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) |
| Range | 475 nm (880 km) | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 16,000 ft (4,877 m) | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) |
| Useful Load | 590 lbs (268 kg) | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 10.0 GPH (38 L/h) | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $160 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateAmerican Champion Decathlon
Fuel$55/hr
Cessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: American Champion Decathlon or Cessna 182?
Pick the Decathlon if…
Pick the 182 if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 117 kts.
- Longer range — 640 nm vs 475 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, American Champion Decathlon or Cessna 182?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Decathlon cruises at 117 kts with 475 nm range.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $110,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between American Champion Decathlon and Cessna 182?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 117 vs 140 kts.
Range: 475 vs 640 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Decathlon: 2 seats / 590 lb useful load.
182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data