Cessna is bringing back one of its most popular niche aircraft in a modernized form that should endear it to a new generation of accomplished GA pilots. Textron, which owns Cessna, announced this week that the T182T Turbo Skylane has been brought back into the fold. “The Cessna Skylane is a remarkable instinctive aircraft to operate, and the turbocharged engine provides even greater performance that enhances the overall flying experience,” said Ron Draper, president & CEO of Textron Aviation.
Production was paused in 2013 due to a priority shift at the company but demand for the aircraft apparently caused another shift. During the pause, Textron had time to assess the product and make some update tweaks. “The single-engine Turbo Skylane will feature the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite, a heated propeller, and an in-cabin oxygen system,” the company said. “It is powered by the Lycoming TIO-540 engine and is equipped with a Hartzell turbocharger, giving the aircraft 235 horsepower at up to 20,000 feet.”