We often say that when looking for a plane, be ready to move quickly, because the good ones don't last.

This is a different story. Back when I started this thread more than a year ago,(viewtopic.php?f=7&t=129797&hilit=backcountry) a BTer contacted me about a Cessna 182 that might work. It belonged to his uncle, and it's a good one. But, it was tied up in the estate. Matt C. said it might take a few months. He has a Bonanza and a Twin Bonanza.

Well, it looked like a great plane, but not really what I was looking for to use in the backcountry. Too pretty.

But, we kept in touch. The few months turned in to more than a year. During that time, I got Fugly, put in a bunch of backcountry mods, and have been learning to fly to the strips in Idaho.

And, I made some changes in work which mean I would not be flying for work nearly as much. I decided to slow things down a bit, so I sold the P-Baron. But I can't be without a plane down here in Louisiana.

Pat (my wife) has a torn ACL and miniscus, so climbing up onto and especially getting down from the wing of a Bonanza or Baron are pretty much out. The 182 works well.

The plane was N44LL, but Matt wanted to keep his uncle's tail number in the family. Planning for that, he had a couple of other tail numbers at the ready, so I went with N44LU. Easy to change with a quick paint job.

So, I now have N44LU. Big Lu? Sweet Lu? Hmmmm.

"Speedy" and "Skylane" don't really go together, but this has a Texas Skyways engine and Knots 2 You nose pant and gap seals. Real world, it can cruise at 145 KTAS, which isn't shabby for a 182. Matt flew it down here today, and I took it up solo this afternoon. Really a sweet plane. Stalls at indicated 35 knots (full flaps). Has a 530W, STEC 50 with GPSS, and the mighty KNS80, when I want to rock thing in an old school sort of way.

It's a 1979 182Q. Wet wings. 92 gallons. 24 volt.

Yeah, yeah. Pix.

That's really nice. Good for you. Hope you have many safe flights together.
Dave

Tom,

Wow! Nice 182! I love those seats! Looks down right pretty. Will you use this plane to head North to the cabin?

Generally not. Southwest does it so well, and Fugly is waiting.

Nice Tom! Matt C is a great guy he made sure I didn’t buy a Lamborghini, this summer at a neat little grass strip fly at IL05 Shumway Intl. Glad he and his Gpa kept a 182 that hits all the needs.

It was a long trip from Gillespie to Hammond today, forecast headwinds of 8 knots were actually 25 plus. It was a good farewell flight, slow but smooth and clear.

I got my instrument rating in 44LL, she has taken me to Bar Harbor, Key West, Tucson, Brownsville, mainland Mexico, Baja Mexico (all the way to Cabo) and hundreds of points in between.

Farewell old friend.

Congrats Tom

Skylane, the original “can do” airplane. 35kt stall speed, poor man’s BRS parachute. Enjoy.

Good purchase Tom. As the flying population ages, more will find entry and exit a real factor, as with your wife, just as older folks don't want a house they have to climb stairs in, which of course elevates the price of planes like the 182 as time goes on. Of course I could be biased.

To make entry and exit even easier for wifey and other passengers, I board them from the right side and use a 10" high plastic folding stool, so they can just step into their seats without using the strut-mounted step. I get them all buckled in, and close the door , then they latch it (keeps people form slamming the door), and makes it easy for me to get them hooked into the BAS harnesses.

It's beautiful Tom. Call me when you're done with it.

I'm busy next week. I'll expect your call the week after next...

Congrats, looks good! Does it have the texas skyways 520? If so shouldnt it do 160kt?

It does have the 520. I was being conservative on top speed. Matt can tell us.

I love the 182 - the one plane to have, when you can have only one.

Or, in your case, the two planes to have, when... ummm... you want to have two planes?

In any event, nice bird!

AWESOME TOM!!!!

Plane looks great, sounds like it fits your mission perfect, what a catch!

It will cruise at 150 ktas with enough fuel poured on the fire. Of all the things I've ever taken out to see just how fast they will go this particular machine wasn't one of them. It might do 160 true but that would most likely be 2700 rpm WOT. I counted on 145 true. Getting off the ground quickly is where the 285hp really shines.