These narrow body aircraft are essentially the same fuselage as a Cessna 180 or 185. With an average stock empty weight of 1540lb, these models are significantly lighter than later 182 models and are very attractive to many for this reason as a floatplane. This STC incorporates a complete fuselage conversion package including reinforced firewall, heavy duty float style engine mount, and updated Acorn Welding Exhaust. The cost to modify a 182 aircraft today is a fraction of what it would take to install AK-180-1 on a 180.
EDO 2870 or EDO 2960 straight floats are approved for installation via this STC. It is also possible to install Aerocet 3500L seaplane floats or EDO Amphibious floats via one off field approvals. EDO floats are only available used and typically come equipped with rigging for Cessna 180 or 185 aircraft. Some of these parts can be re-machined and adapted to use on the 182. If the existing rigging is damage or cannot be used we can supply new built rigging for these aircraft. It is very important to note that the 182 rigging should be attached to STA0(Firewall) and to the main landing gear. Aircraft modified from tricycle gear to tailwheel gear cannot use this STC with Cessna 180 Rigging.
Seaplanes West has developed a reinforced firewall design with doublers, and tripplers that extend all the way from the bottom corners of the cowling where the float fittings eventually are attached. These larger doublers tie into the diagonal reinforcement braces that go from the main landing gear casting all the way to the upper firewall. To further reinforce the structure, steel ‘hockey sticks’ sandwich everything together and tie the upper gear casting to the tunnel. Adding these large doublers, hockey sticks, and Float Style mount to aircraft on conventional wheel gear strengthens the firewall and prevents the riveted nose gear casting from separating from the main tunnel structure. This reinforcement is recommended for operators using the aircraft in a demanding environment such as flight training, skydiving, or soft field operations with oversized landing gear. For those ‘less fortunate’ aircraft that have already experienced damage to the lower firewall this kit can be easily installed during firewall replacement and turn a negative damage history on your aircraft into a positive selling feature.
This kit is now standard on all Seaplanes West Float STC’s for the wide body 182. This is a great starting point for getting your aircraft ready for float operations. It can be installed at any point when the engine is removed, and work is being performed without the large up-front expense associated with the rest of the float kit. Once the Firewall is reinforced with this kit, you can install a Seaplanes West Float engine mount and flying cabin wires to tie everything from the gear to the wing spar together. At this point, the aircraft is ready to accept the remaining float related parts once you have decided which floats you wish to go with. The kit normally requires no additional exterior painting as all the work is done on the firewall. However, as an added option, you can order the exterior fuselage doublers, fueling assist steps, handles and forward float fittings on their own if you plan on painting the aircraft before committing to floats.
Starting in 1962 with the 182E model, Cessna increased the size of the fuselage of the aircraft. The aircraft is 2” wider at the floor, 4” wider at the lower window line, 2.5” higher cabin at the middle of the door and 1” higher at the aft door post. While it may not seem like a lot on paper, in reality this is a significant increase in volume. Not only does this increase in volume provide more internal room and comfort for the passengers, it makes the aircraft more maneuverable on floats. Starting in 1965 with the 182H model, the horizontal stabilizer and elevator span was increased by 10” providing even more stability and performance.
The first step in converting one of these aircraft to a float plane is the installation of the STA0 Firewall Reinforcement kit. It is recommended that the aircraft be up to date with Cessna firewall enhancements such as upper diagonal bracing and tunnel reinforcements prior to installing the STA0 kit. Customers can reference Cessna SK182-44C or later revision for additional information.
The in-aircraft portion of the modifications is compatible with all the various floats available for this aircraft. You are able to reinforce the aircraft today and be able to choose which floats you want to use in the future. It is quite common for customers to start with one set of floats and then upgrade to another. Please keep in mind that only Aerocet and Wipline floats are available new at this time and that most used sets of floats have rigging configured for the Cessna 180 or 185 series of aircraft. This serial range is presently not compatible with our gross weight increase STC due to the limitations of the flat landing gear configuration. It is possible to upgrade the landing gear boxes however; this is economically not practical at this time. These aircraft have a typical average stock empty weight of 1630lb.
Customers that choose to use 3rd party gross weight increases are advised to evaluate the cross compatibility of these STC’s before using and applying them to their aircraft.
The 182 aircraft in this serial number range can be equipped with:
In 1972, The main landing gear, the gear boxes and other structural elements were updated by Cessna. These along with many additional options and updates make these aircraft prime candidates for float conversion. These aircraft have most of the Cessna structural updates completed at the factor making the actual modification of the aircraft simpler, faster, and more economical. The typical average empty weight of the 182P is 1707lb, 182Q is 1717lb, while the 182 R is 1733lb. The 182P, 182Q, and 182R are eligible for our gross weight increase when equipped with Aerocet 3500 Seaplane and Aerocet 3400 Amphibious floats and corresponding engine combinations.
Riems Built aircraft, and those built by Cessna that were initially destined for customers in high corrosion environment, were internally primed for corrosion proofing. The extent and effectiveness of this corrosion proofing can vary depending on the maintenance history of these aircraft. Since the application of the primer was done after assembly of the aircraft, the edges and lap joints are not protected. The new production aircraft are manufactured and primed prior to final assembly then primed before exterior painting. Regardless if the aircraft is factory primed back in the day or in present times, it should be inspected for and treated with a corrosion inhibiting compound regularly when on float operations.
The 182R can only be equipped with Aerocet 3400 Amphibious floats. The 182P and 182Q aircraft in this serial number range can be equipped with:
In 1997 Cessna resumed production of the 182. These aircraft are newer and consist of parts that are primed prior to assembly. These aircraft are factory equipped with Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 engine developing 230hp. These aircraft have a stock empty weight of 1925lb for the early re-start aircraft and 2000lb for the newer glass cockpit versions. This 150lb Difference in weight can be attributed to additional reinforcements added to the aircraft, improvements to the seating and ventilation system, and refinements to some parts. Many of these improvements are available to the older aircraft via STC and are commonly incorporated on the older aircraft.
At the present time we do not offer a float kit for these aircraft. We do however offer the STA0 Fuselage reinforcement kit and in theory you could get the aircraft float ready if you ever need to repair the firewall. The primary reason why we have not developed a float kit for this series was the need for additional useful load. In order to increase this useful load, additional engine power and modifications are required. The only practical way to achieve this at the present time is to upgrade to the IO-580-B1A engine Via the Wipaire 182 Boss conversion as it is certified for float operations. Changing everything firewall forward out to an IO-550-N is also possible but has not been tested or certified on floats at this time. This series is available on Wipline 3000 and 3450 Series Seaplane and Amphibious floats under US STC SA03323CH as well as Aerocet 3500 Seaplane and 3400 Amphibious Floats via one off approvals.