Cessna 182 vs Cessna TTx

The Cessna 182 Skylane is the four-seat touring standard — a high-wing fixed-gear airplane with a reputation for stability, good useful load, and honest handling at every phase of flight. The TTx is the fastest turbocharged piston Cessna ever offered, with a composite airframe and retractable gear that the Skylane crowd finds either exciting or intimidating depending on their background. The cross-shop happens when a Skylane owner asks whether it's time to step up to something faster, and ends up comparing cruise logs.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 182
For sale now
489
Median asking
$218,897
Range
$104,725–$564,768
Model years available
1956–2026
Cessna TTx
For sale now
20
Median asking
$599,000
Range
$364,600–$684,540
Model years available
2013–2017

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.

Cessna 182 — 4 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
182 Continental (early) 1956–1976 O-470-L/R 2650 140 640 218
182 Continental (late) 1977–1986 O-470-U 3100 142 700 86
T182 Turbo 1981–1986 TIO-540-AK1A 3100 158 970 50
182 Lycoming 1997–now IO-540-AB1A5 3100 145 930 163

Cessna TTx — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale

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)Cessna 182Cessna TTx
All events2779—
Serious249—
Fatal529—
Fatalities1000—
% Fatal19%—
View full Cessna 182 NTSB record →View full Cessna TTx NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 182 Cessna TTx
Cessna 182
View 104 listings →
Median $218,897
 Cessna TTx
View 24 listings →
Median $599,000
Price Range $104,725 – $564,768 $364,600 – $684,540
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 4
Horsepower 230–235 HP 310 HP
Cruise Speed 140–158 kts (293 km/h) 235 kts (435 km/h)
Range 640–970 nm (1,796 km) 1,250 nm (2,315 km)
Service Ceiling 18,100 ft (5,517 m) 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Max Gross Weight 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg)
Useful Load 1,110 lbs (503 kg) 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
Fuel Capacity 92.0 gal (348 L) 92.0 gal (348 L)
Fuel Burn 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) 17.0 GPH (64 L/h)
TBO 1,700 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $32,000 $36,000
Annual Fixed $20,000 $25,000
Hourly Variable $160 $195
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 182

Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $52,000/yr

Cessna TTx

Fuel$94/hr
Variable$195/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $64,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Cessna TTx?

Bottom line: Choose the 182 Skylane for versatility across varied terrain and conditions, especially if you operate from shorter or grass strips, value the high-wing for loading and camping trips, or want an airplane the full family can step into comfortably. The 182's fixed gear and docile handling make it a go-anywhere, forgive-anything touring platform. Choose the TTx if you're regularly flying 600+ nm legs and the 45-knot speed advantage matters in real dollars and time. The TTx demands discipline: retractable gear, turbocharged induction, and high-altitude cruise all add to the cockpit workload. On safety: the 182's fixed gear eliminates the gear-up risk that occasionally catches TTx pilots in degraded situations. The TTx counters with better autopilot integration and Garmin ESP, but again — no CAPS parachute.

Pick the 182 if…

  • Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $364,600, you save ~$259,875.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $195/hr.
  • More inventory — 104 listings vs 24.

Pick the TTx if…

  • Faster cruise — 235 kts vs 140 kts.
  • Longer range — 1250 nm vs 640 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 2013 vs 1956.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much faster is the TTx than the Cessna 182?
At cruise altitude, the TTx is approximately 80–90 kt faster. A normally-aspirated 182T cruises around 145–150 kt at 8,000 ft; the turbocharged TTx is rated at 235 kt true airspeed at FL200 under optimum conditions, though real-world numbers typically land closer to 215–220 kt with realistic fuel planning. That gap translates to 90 minutes shaved off a 600 nm leg — meaningful for a working pilot, less so for weekend recreationals.
Can the Cessna 182 be flown off grass or backcountry strips?
Yes, and it excels there. The 182's fixed tricycle gear, wide track, and high-wing configuration make it a natural fit for grass, gravel, and unimproved strips. With a good engine and appropriate tires, many 182 owners use it for camping and remote access that the TTx — with its low-wing composite structure and retractable gear — would not suit. If backcountry access matters, the 182 is the clear choice between these two.
Is the Cessna TTx certified for known-icing operations?
The TTx is IFR-certified and commonly equipped for solid IMC operations. TKS fluid-based de-icing systems are available as an optional upgrade, but the TTx was not certified for flight into known icing conditions as a standard baseline feature. Compare any specific aircraft's actual equipment before making IFR/icing assumptions.
Which is better, Cessna 182 or Cessna TTx?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range. The TTx cruises at 235 kts with 1,250 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $104,000. Cessna TTx: from $664,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Cessna TTx?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp). TTx engine: CONTINENTAL TSIO-550-C (310 hp). Cruise: 140 vs 235 kts. Range: 640 vs 1250 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost. TTx: about $195/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?
182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load. TTx: 4 seats / 1,000 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. TTx: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$36,000. 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