Steve Pierce
SJ will give me a questionable reference as a person, and even less of a reference as a Pilot, I recently did some Commercial training with SJ here in KC....
I am a KMKC based 1977 IO-550 C182Q Owner Operator, I’m not as hands on maintenance and engineering-wise as seemingly a lot of folks here, and other Aviation Forums often are, but I’ve studied the C182 hard - I designed and “had my aircraft rebuilt” for traveling, not the Back Country per se
Some thoughts
1) Email me at
McBobKC@gmail.com and I can send you some meaningful info
2) BeechTalk has a Forum “Brand X” that has some very good C182 discussions / Threads at
www.BeechTalk.com - you have to register, then be accepted before you can Post or Search, not a big deal, just a process
3) Cessna Pilots Society aka CPS /
www.Cessna-Pilots.net is also a very good source, same drill to have to register, then be accepted
4) Cessna Pilots Association aka CPA /
www.Cessna.org / John Frank’s old organization (now deceased) 4 years ago “was” THE DEFINITIVE Cessna website / Forum group - a “paid admission” website, sadly, a website crash in early 2017 started a cascade of events that has left CPA a shadow of its former self, but still lots of great technical information available for maybe $75 a year ?
Some quick personal thoughts
1) AVOID Wet Wing C182s / 1979 and beyond have Wet Wings / Integral Fuel Tanks - the sealing of the integral fuel tanks is failing and a real struggle to ever really get fixed - maybe for a “Guy like Steve Pierce,” it wouldn’t be a big deal, but for the Common Man paying someone else to repair, I’ve heard numbers such as $15,000 per wing, 4 to 6 months, and NO Guarantees
2) Bladder Fuel tanks are a GOOD THING in the 1978 and earlier models
3) P and Q Models are The Sweet Spot, IMO
4) Given what I assume are your Back Country desires a Stock 230 carbureted engine is very good, added horsepower via a P Ponk, Air Plains IO-520 or IO-550 Conversion is GREAT - I’m personally not as much of a fan of the Texas Skyways O-550 Conversion, as Texas Skyways takes off the induction system and adds a carburetor, I personally prefer an injected engine, albeit all at a cost...
I took my aircraft to an illogical extreme towards serious cross country travel and IFR Operations, only since meeting SJ and Laura am I just now considering taking my pants off ( Wheel Pants ) and exploring and learning some Back Country flying
Really too much to type, SJ, feel free to give out my contact info, toward a call, etc