Cessna 182S

Cessna 182S Skylane
Type	Civil aircraft, Civil utility aircraft, Glider tug
Configuration	High wing aircraft, Fixed gear aircraft
Propulsion	Propeller aircraft, Single-engine aircraft
Manufacturer	Cessna
Author(s)	Heiko Schulz; Gilberto Agostinho; Benedikt Hallinger; Wayne Bragg (wlbragg); onox; Ron Jensen (jentron); Daniel Dubreuil (Dany93); Stuart Buchanan; David Megginson; Sascha Reiszner; Joshua Davidson;
FDM	JSBSim
--aircraft=	c182s
Status	Advanced production
FDM
Systems
Cockpit
Model
Supports
Development
Website
Repository
Download
Forum
License	GPLv2+
	v; t; e;

The Cessna 182S Skylane is an American four-seat, single-engine, light airplane, built by Cessna between 1996 and 2001. It uses a fuel-injected Textron Lycoming IO-540 AB1A5 with 230 HP at 2,400 RPM.

Features

The Cessna 182S is one of the high-quality aircraft models in FlightGear.

The new Cessna 182S has a very detailed 3D model and a cockpit with highly detailed textures. Most of the switches in the cockpit are already clickable and working. It has a very realistic FDM based on real aerodynamic coefficients and the pilot operating handbook; engine power, EGT and fuel performance are tuned according the pilot operating handbook, the weight and balance behaves like written in the POH. Fly by the book - a link to real POH is given at the end of this page.

There are currently several liveries available: default Cessna livery, Blank, D-ELFP, HB-CZV, N182PJ, N321HW and some Custom registration Liveries.

The aircraft has a simulation of the Bendix/King KAP140 Autopilot. The cockpit can be illuminated at night by using the glareshield lighting, pedestal lighting and instruments/ radio lighting, controlled by two knobs. Dome lights which illuminates the cabin in a realistic way are in work. The knobs have two modes each, which can be used by clicking and dragging horizontally or vertically.

Also, if the user has enabled ALS (Atmospheric light scattering) in the Rendering Options, some effects are activated such as cockpit shadows, visible landing lights from the cockpit and rain effect on the windshield.

The Cessna 182S comes with static objects which can be activated via the Ground Equipment dialog in the aircraft menu. These include a fuel tank trailer, ladders to access the fuel caps (and which the walker can climb(only in FG Versions before 2017.3.1 !!), ground power unit and a Dragon Engine Pre-Heater. Security cones are also available. Special Feature: The ground equipment will stay on ground where placed, independent from the movement of the aircraft! The aircraft can also go through a pre-flight check: wheel chocks, tie-downs and the pitot tube cover can now be added or removed.

Feature-List:

For details and usage hints, please also read the documentation.

accurate flight model based on real test aerodynamic coefficients and POH
accurate fuel flow numbers, engine power, airspeed and climbrate in nearly all pressure altitudes and temperatures with less than 5% difference from POH
realistic stall behavior
calculation of real KIAS based on KCAS, based on POH
accurate weight and balance behavior

New Start-up States: aircraft can be initialized in cruise, landing, takeoff and more states
autostart for beginners

fully simulated fuel system: fuel flow by gravity, engine pump and fuel pump simulated for each of the two tanks,; engine needs correct priming procedure according POH, fuel contamination simulated
realistic electrical system, battery charge state depending on temperature, working circuit breakers
fully simulated oil management (temperature, ....)
simulation of cabin heat and defrost
simulation of icing to wings, propellers and engines in icing conditions
detailed damage and failure simulation

High quality 3d-model, textures and animations
Realistic exterior reflection shaders with fresnel effect and normalmap
selectable chromed spinner and wheel fairings
Very detailed 3d-interior
moveable sun-visors
all cockpit switches are working
fully working audio panel
fully simulated Bendix/King_KAP140_Autopilot
fully simulated Davtron M803 digital clock
fully simulated Bendix King avionics stack (two KX-165 VHF COM/NAV radios, KN-62A DME, KT-67C Transponder, KR-87 ADF)
Realistic interior light effects in ALS-Renderer
Interior shadows in ALS-Renderer
interior glass frost and fog effects in ALS-Renderer
Exterior 3d-shadow in ALS-Renderer
selectable and fully simulated Winterization kit
External equipement like ladders, safety cones, tie ups, pitot cover, wheel chocks, external power source, simulated external engine pre-heater with sound - they keep their position on ground!
aircraft can be preflight checked outside (free movement check of flight control surfaces; oil, fuel, pitot heat, ....)
Walker - can be used to follow the Checklist outside
Towbar connecting to the nosewheel for ground handling
Save states: aircraft remembers last switch, systems and configuration state
Many liveries

Aerotowing gliders

The C182S and C182T are capable of aerotowing over multiplayer by the glider pilot pressing Ctrl+o while behind the Cessna. The Cessna pilot can release the hook anytime by pressing ⇧ Shift+O

Dual control

The plane supports Dual control where a copilot can ride along in another multiplayer plane. The copilot needs to start the C182 copilot variant and then select the pilots plane from the multiplayer dialog. The pilot also need to select the copilot this way.

Currently the copilot is view-only and cannot take over controls.

Parachuters

Via the aircraft options menu you can remove the right cabin door and seats, to haul parachuters. When clicking on your passengers, they will climb out to the strut and jump off. The parachuters are even visible to other multiplayer aircraft (for that to work they need the C182s/t model installed)!

Note: The climb out procedure is modeled in regards to weight shift and drag, but not yet animated (see FR issue ticket #515).

Extended failures / surprise mode

The plane features a very detailed failure simulation and optionally can surprise you on the fly (if you wish, without notifying you). The failures dialog can be accessed by the aircraft menu, but you can also configure this for startup in your launcher by adding configuration options there. Please see the documentation for details.

Handling The Aircraft (beginner version)

You can activate more realistic handling at any time in the aircraft dialog, like fuel contamination, engine oil management and priming needs.

The full checklists are available ingame in the checklists dialog.

Pre-Flight Inspection

Cessna 182S ready for take off

It's recommended to use any exterior view or activate the walker for these procedures.

Cockpit: remove wind gust lock
Check fuel quantity on both tanks (click on the red caps top of the wings)
Left wing: remove pitot tube cover
Left wing: remove tie-down
Left wing: check for fuel contamination by clicking under the wing and take a fuel sample. If the sample is light blue, the fuel is not contaminated and can be returned to the tank. If the sample is transparent or partially transparent, you must discard it and take new samples until they are completely light blue
Left main wheel: remove chocks
Tail: remove tie-down
Right wing: remove tie-down
Right wing: check water contamination
Right main wheel: remove chocks
Right nose: check water contamination of fuel selector (below plane) and fuel strainer (right nose)
Nose: remove wheel chocks
Nose: check oil level (more than 6.0 quarts)
Nose: remove chocks

Engine Start (manual and complex startup)

Mixture: Idle cut-off (red lever full out)
Propeller: High RPM (blue lever full in)
Throttle: Open 1/4 inch (black lever ~5%-8% setting inSim)
Parking Brake: Applied (⇧ Shift+B)
Prop Area: Clear
Master switch: ON (both)
Auxiliary Fuel Pump Switch: ON
Advance mixture to full rich, keep it 3-5sec
Then Idle Cutoff
Auxiliary Fuel Pump Switch: Off
Magnetos: Both (Press } three times)
Ignition: crank engine (S until engine fires)

If the engine was warm already, it usually starts without priming by just setting Mixture to rich and cranking.

If engine floods, then set mixture to idle cut off and throttle to 1/2 to full open and crank. When engine fires, set mixture to full rich and throttle to idle.

Takeoff

no flaps or flaps 10deg
cowl flaps open (⇧ Shift+F several times)
full throttle
rotate at 50-60 KIAS

Climbout

no flaps
cowl flaps open
full throttle
80 KIAS
Reduce power to stay in the green arcs as soon as obstacles are clear
- Fuel flow: max 15Gph
- Throttle: max 23 in.Hg

Cruise

Cessna 182S in the air

2000-2400 RPM
18-23 mp
mixture rich of peak as recommended lean mixture setting for cruise or 125°F rich for best power
speed between 120-140 knots depending on the power settings
cowl flaps closed (f as appropriate -> watch CHT gauge)

Landing

flaps 20deg or full flaps
60-70 KIAS

Airspeeds

See also Aircraft speed#V speeds

Airspeed	IAS
Stall speed, landing configuration, V_S₀	36 kt
Stall speed, clean, V_S₁	43 kt
Rotation speed, V_R	55 kt
Best angle of climb speed, V_X	63 kt
Best rate of climb speed, V_Y	80 kt
Maximum flap extended speed, V_FE	100 kt
Manoeuvring speed, V_A	110 kt
Maximum structural cruising speed, V_NO	140 kt
Never exceed speed, V_NE	175 kt
Max. Crosswind at landing	15 kt

Performance

Cruise, 80% power, 6,000 ft	140 kt
Cruise, 65% power, 8,000 ft	130 kt
Cruise, 55% power, 10,000 ft	121 kt

Range, 75% power, 6,000 ft	820 nm
Range, 65% power, 8,000 ft	910 nm
Range, 55% power, 10,000 ft	968 nm

Best Climb^[1]	924fpm
Service Ceiling	18,100ft
Takeoff ground roll: 795ft (242m) over 50ft obstacle	1,514ft
Landing ground roll: 590ft (180m) over 50ft obstacle	1,390ft

FAQ

I wonder why would the 182s be easier to fly than the c172p?

Is it? If you think the fdm is wrong: A fdm is only so good as the datas available. The c182s-fdm uses real coefficient data where available, but not all needed coeeficients could be found. Where not available, pilot reports had been used. And they are from a subjective view of the pilot.

According to google, most pilots agree that the 182s is actually harder to fly than the 172p

Not because of its flight characteristics. Though many pilot bends their firewalls on touchdown, due the nose heaviness of that aircraft. But a lot pilot likes the C182 more because of more power, more speed, higher possible altitudes, constant speed propeller, cowl-flaps and the IFR-equipement. And that`s the reason - due to that all it is much more challenging to fly than the Cessna 172. So FAA counts the Cessna 182 to the high perfomace aircraft. Imagine beeing in a crowded area like KLAX, approaching the airport while listening to Radio calls every few seconds, watching speed, altitude, manage the engine and prop speed, chasing VOR-needles and watching the traffic around at the same time in bad weather condition - challenging! You might wanna read this: Stepping Up to a C182

Is the C182S made easier to fly, instead of more realistic to fly?

No. The authors uses real numbers, datas, coefficients and more where available, aiming to get everything realistic as it can be. As an example it matches all the numbers given in the POH, and uses real aerodynamic coeffcients for the fdm where available. If it doesn`t fly as you expect, you might be used to FSX? Just kidding... Anyway, if encounter something you think it isn`t right, file an Issue-report here, and we will find out.

Why do I always make bouncy landings?

The C182 is quite nose heavy, especially compared to a 172. This makes it harder to flare correctly, and you actually need a high pitch attitude to not touchdown too early. Also airspeed is a critical factor, don't try to land too fast (aim for 60-70 KIAS, depending on flaps and wind). Most importantly: Don't try to force the plane down with the elevator and never land on the nose gear first. You had a perfect landing, when you hear the stall horn shortly before the main wheels gently touch the runway, and when you managed to lower the nose wheel gently afterwards.

At 3,000 ft, I can't get over 110 knots. MP: 23 RPM: 2450 FF: 14. What am I missing?

The checklist! If it doesn`t get the speed as you expect, check: Mixture, prop rpm, cowl flaps, oil temp, icing, engine damaged or cold,... Probably you simply forget to close the cowl flaps. Another reason could be that you mistake KTAS (Knots True AirSpeed) with KIAS (Knots Indicated AirSpeed). The tables and many publications gives the speeds in KTAS. So you have to read the KTAS-values from your instruments, not the KIAS. How to?- just read below.

Where I can see my True Airspeed (KTAS)? The Air Speed Indicator has a dial at the upper part of the instrument face. So you simply dial in the pressure altitude (=Altimeter set to 29.92) in ft via the knob, and align it with the temperature mark just below. Now you can read your true airspeed in the lower left window of your instrument. There is a screenshot showing an example of using the TAS disc.

I flew in cold weather, but suddenly crashed because the aircraft slowed down. Where is the carb heat?

The Cessna 182S uses an fuel-injected engine - like many modern cars. So there is no carburetor. But what you experienced is the icing of the prop and the aircraft body. Unfortunately there is indeed a bug: propeller icing of constant speed props can`t be simulated yet with JSBSim. The C182S-team tried to find a work-around, but might not have yet found the best solution....Not everything can be perfect! Anyway: with this type of aircraft you are not allowed to fly in known icing-conditions!

Cessna 182S refuses to start

The following might be happening:

you probably didn`t follow the checklist.
you might have flooded the engine. Follow this procedure: Pull back mixture to cut off, advance throttle to about about little more than 50-60%, then operate the starter again for a while. If the engine fires, promptly advance the mixture to full rich and return throttle to Idle.
you may encounter spark plug icing in cold environment after a misfired start. Preheat the engine, wait 5-10 (simulated) minutes and try again.
the engine might simply be too cold to be able to start. Preheat the engine.
you damaged the engine previously to a state where it won't start again (have you seen black smoke from the cowling?)

I always overheat my engine at takeoff/climbout!

Reduce power when you cleared all takeoff obstacles. Closely watch your CHT gauge: reduce at latest when approaching the upper CHT limit. See the "Normal enroute climb" checklist section for details on power settings (in short: keep manifold pressure and fuel flow in the greens, open cowl flaps).

Why I can`t see the wingtip and the cowl?

The eye level position has been carefully set comapring informations from pictures showing the Cessna 182S or Cessna 182T and pilot reports. If you compare, you can see that the eye level of the pilot is sitting at the level of the upper edge of the side window frame. The wing root sits much higher, the wingtip even more. So it is impossible to see the wingtip. The glareshield is quite high on the newer Cessna, and from you usual position you are not able to see the engine cowling in front of you. And the eye level position is also set to the fact that a good landing is provided why you flare just before the touchdown. Your flare will be correct, when the upper edge of the glareshiels is virtually touching the horizon.

Versions

Stable release

The Last official release for your matching FlightGear version can be downloaded from the Launcher (FGAddon default Hangar). There you can also easily update the plane, once updates get published.

Alternatively, GIT releases (and changelogs between versions) are here: https://github.com/HHS81/c182s/releases

These releases are usually also synced to FGAddons trunk hangar (used by fgfs next, which gets stable together with the next fgfs release and can be updated to from the launcher)

Development status/Issues/TODO

This aircraft is undergoing a constant development, which can be followed on its repository, where a list of issues and future enhancements can also be found. Worth a visit!

Damaged Gear in Multiplayer: The damage model was updated recently (5/2021 for 2020.4.0) to also simulate gear collapse. Older versions (2020.3 and before) do not simulate this and thus do not transmit the necessary MP packets. This makes the "gear-OK" Property constantly showing a damage gear, if you use a newer model. The solution is that the pilot using the version showing the "crippled" gear to update his flightgear and plane to the latest FGAddon version OR use the GitHub release 1.4.

Using the latest development/git version

Note This may not work properly with the current stable (and older) flightgear versions. Development usually targets the latest flightgear stable, but may use also fresh features of flightgears "next" version.

If you want to use the latest github versions, they can be obtained here (master-branch): https://github.com/HHS81/c182s/archive/refs/heads/master.zip

Make a new "Aircraft" folder (in case you don't already have one). Then add that directory to your launchers "Addons" tab as aircraft folder.
Download a zipped version you want to use (links below).
Extract the zipfile into your "Aircraft" folder.
Rename the extracted c182s-<version> folder to c182s.