Cessna 182 vs Piper Arrow
The Cessna 182 Skylane and the Piper Arrow are two four-seat singles with different layouts — the high-wing, fixed-gear 182 and the low-wing, retractable-gear Arrow. The 182 is the powerful, simple high-wing tourer; the Arrow is a complex retractable, a popular step into retractable-gear flying. Where each trades now is below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
- For sale now
- 196
- Median asking
- $134,945
- Range
- $79,053–$243,250
- Model years available
- 1967–2015
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
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 217 |
| 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 |
Piper Arrow — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For 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 182 | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | — |
| Serious | 249 | — |
| Fatal | 529 | — |
| Fatalities | 1000 | — |
| % Fatal | 19% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $79,053 – $243,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 720 nm (1,333 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 15,400 ft (4,694 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 940 lbs (426 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 72.0 gal (273 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $145 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Piper Arrow
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Piper Arrow?
Bottom line: Choose the 182 Skylane for simple, capable four-seat travel — more power, fixed-gear simplicity and a big useful load. Choose the Arrow for retractable-gear flying — a slippery, efficient complex single and a classic way to build retractable time. On safety both are benign, proven four-seaters; the Arrow adds retractable-gear discipline and complex-aircraft handling, while the 182 stays simple — a handling and complexity difference, not a safety gap. Simple high-wing hauler, or retractable complex single.
Pick the 182 if…
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 135 kts.
Pick the Arrow if…
- Budget matters — from $79,053 vs $104,725, you save ~$25,672.
- Lower operating cost — ~$145/hr vs $160/hr.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1967 vs 1956.
- More inventory — 218 listings vs 104.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.