The difference in tip height between a Bonanza and 182 is like 2 feet, maybe less. A roll like that close to the ground is going to be dicey no matter what plane you fly.

As I came to appreciate this weekend, the 182 is a lot roomier than a Bonanza. I'm 6'2" and wear a size 50L, so my perspective may be different than more average-sized people, but I'm not sure I'd want to spend very long riding next to another adult in a Bonanza.

No wonder the Bonanza is faster than the 182RG. More horsepower and a narrower cockpit.

Bonanzas are prettier, though.

Cardinal RG is still one of the best looking singles ever.

A friend and I owned a De Havilland Beaver, which had so many of the great things mentioned here going for it: four doors plus a baggage door (where the rear battery had been prior to moving it forward to the firewall); high-wing visibility; unbelievable short/soft-field abilities; and - best of all: fuel in in the belly. The fillers (x3) were just aft of the pilot's door pillar. Wing fuel was an additional option, requiring fillers up top.

Brilliant design - I'm surprised that the convenience of belly fuel tanks hasn't been copied in some modern high-wing designs. The idea came from operating aircraft on floats in the bush, but I was thankful for the convenience of it on wheels as well.

Spoken like a charter a member of the Cessna Diamond Club McFarlane has a cure for this We install them on every Cessna corrugated skin flap we build, unless the customer prefers not. For $70 extra, I can't recall a single no answer yet.

As for the Beech v. Cessna...........I love them both. They have both helped me raise 6 great kids , and they support many other employees and their families

I was trained in Cessna's, but later flew all types of low winged airplanes as an instructor. As mentioned they both have their niches.

Self fueling my 182 is the biggest drawback I see to it versus a low winged airplane. A common means of demise for older folks is falling off a ladder. When available I take full service fuel to cut down my exposure.

At least for the legacy Cessnas I think Bonanzas have a better build quality, but there are many old models of both still flying.

The biggest drawbacks to Bonanzas and other low-winged airplanes to me is the entry and exit higher difficulty over a high wing. This is especially important to an aging pilot/passenger population. It's similar to trying to sell a two story house with stairs to an older couple. I carry a small plastic folding stool that I put down below the door of my 182, and my wife can step on that, then step right into her seat; better than using the gear leg mounted step.

As for handing characteristics the best single-engine plane I've flown for that is the Beech Debonair. We used that for our advanced trainer at the flight school, always a joy to fly, and certified for the commercial maneuvers.

My Cessna has a low wing.

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I had a '66 182J...very nice airplane.

Sometimes I miss it.

And I've owned 3 V tails.

My high wing Cessna only has one door.

Some might say the Beaver copied the Staggerwing’s “brilliant” design. Main tank and aux under pilots and pax’s buttox. Originally two more in lower wings making four. Some now, lucky enough to copy the Cezzna, have two more tanks in the top wing.. just funnin’

It's funny how they took the 170 airframe, with such gorgeous lines and a graceful look, and turned it into a jeep that looks lit the frame was broken once and welded back together crooked.

A few of my favorites I dont think I saw mentioned:

Wide CG envelope and forgiving wing

Lots of mentions of the high wing in general but besides the built in shade my favorites are wing root vents for all seats and visibility. I enjoy looking down.

Also lots of mentions of two doors but a big part of that (for me) is a big window to hang my arm out of. This is probably less important to a lot of people depending on where you fly but its very rare for me to be on the ground without the window open. I wish they put them on both doors from the factory.

Funny I never really considered fueling a huge hassle but thinking back to my fuel boy days it was nice to leave the ladder on the truck. Im lucky to be tall enough to at least check the fuel without a ladder.

At least its easier to tie down if that counts for anything?

Ive yet to meet an airplane I didnt like.

Dollar for dollar... a good ole 182 sure is hard to beat!

A Cessna 100 series airplane will land and T/O shorter, and haul more farther and faster than just about any other airplane with the same horsepower. (F/G vs F/G and R/G vs RG.)

There are some ragwing exceptions to that, but for the most part, the Cessnas win.

If you don't believe it, go check out Merrill Field in Alaska. Most of the Spam Cans are Cessnas.

Would you be willing to trade a ride with me in your Cessna 400 for a ride in my very pretty Cessna Skyhawk? Any chance...?


The other great thing about Cessnas is that Cessna owners typically have a good sense of humor.

And it’s SEXY