I just bought a Cessna 182 a couple of weeks back. Years ago I used to be a member of the Cessna Pilots Association, and it was a good resource of information with an active forum. However I have heard that it is not that way any longer after John Frank passed away.

Now there are also the Cessna Flyer Association, and the Cessna Owner Organization. Does anyone have any opinions for any of these organizations? I would like to hear some before I plunk down the $40 or so member fee. Or is the "Brand X Talk" here on Beechtalk a better resource?

Thanks for the help,
Aaron Boulais
1982 Cessna 182R
KCCB

I am shopping the 182RG market myself and interested in the responses.

Which one did you buy? BT rules require pictures

https://www.cessna-pilots.net/forums/ub ... um_summary
CPS is where all the CPA folks went.

Cessna-pilots.net

It’s free. No glossy magazine but a lot of knowledge.

John Frank was the best, his CPA Website, the TechNotes, his seminars, etc.
We miss him!
RIP

Cessna-pilots.net it is! Thanks for the replies guys! I will see you all over there.

Rick, my buddy and I bought an ex-CAP bird through John Calhoun at Fresh Aircraft Sales. He is an awesome broker, that seemed to bend over backward to help us get the transaction accomplished, especially during COVID! I have nothing but good things to say about John and his team.

Sorry I don’t have any good pictures yet. Right now 3022E is disassembled to fix some issues I found after it was brought to its new home. But it should be back in the air after the 1st of the year.

But she will be a flying project for the next couple of years....new panel, new paint, new fairings, and an engine overhaul in 300 hours. The interior was just redone by Fresh Aircraft Sales prior to delivery.

Aaron Boulais
1982 Cessna 182R
KCCB

Thanks, Good to know, they are representing an RG in NY that I have considered, but it's a bit rough.

In my humble opinion, I would say that most if not all of the ex-CAP aircraft should be considered either projects or flying projects. They are fleet aircraft, generally un-hangared, and don't get pampered like most of the owner flown planes do.

However they are reasonably priced for what they are. In my case 182R's are going for $150,000 right now. We didn't even pay $90,000 for ours, and when we are done with the restoration, we should not have more than $175,000 in it for a really nicely outfitted aircraft (I'm an A&P with an IA by the way, so my labor is free, am I'm a regular hunter of used avionics).

If you give John a call, and ask him to keep an eye out for 182RG's for you, something might turn up.

CPS is the Cessna version of BT but predates it. Not many rules other than be nice but the culture there really does live that phrase.

It is free, been running a bit more than 14 years now, and if it is a single Cessna you have a question about someone there will either know or know where to find.

RAS

PS, even tho he will likely not toot his own horn, Phil Sprang is one of the resident 182 experts over there.

I'd agree with this, with the caveat that the are pretty well-maintained as far as airworthiness goes. USAF has historically had a generous budget for maintenance and if it gets squawked, it gets fixed (mostly). When I was active, I rarely saw an airplane that gave me any doubts about its safety.

On the other hand, they have a relatively thin budget for paint and interiors. They have a relatively high number of flights with 3 or 4 people in them and relatively short legs. With all those people shuffling in and out (often wearing combat boots), it puts wear on the interior relatively quickly. And I can't imagine who'd want a paint job like that.

Corrosion is something to watch out for. USAF and CAP HQ pushed the responsibility for corrosion treatment down to the wings (states), and many wings are not particularly well-funded or well-run. About 20 years ago NY wing learned that none of the planes had any corrosion treatment in over a decade, and didn't know how they were going to pay for it. (I don't remember how that one got resolved.)

Bent firewalls are another thing to watch out for. A few years ago they started letting the 172 fleet diminish by attrition and are using 182s more for primary instruction with cadets.