Going to look at a 182b this weekend 2200TT, 356 hrs on 470L done in 1989, new prop and oil pump in 2010, then engine gone through again in Dec 2015 - new cam and lifters due to corrosion. Plane only logged 25 hrs since 2010. Original serviceable interior, old radios that are functional. Nice paint. Very clean plane. Kept in an unheated hangar.

Specific things to look for different than my 172

I know who just did the engine - no real concerns there

trim able horizontal stab - jackscrew?


Any help would be appreciated

Not any different than a 172 but still worth mentioning. Get a hold of someone who has one of those USB plug-in inspection cameras, plug it into a laptop or iPad, and go down through all the inspection covers in the floor of the cabin and see what is living/breeding/reproducing/staining/corroding/eating the bottoms of the bulkheads and skins. Same with the rest of the airplane of course. Down where the jackscrew is bolted and riveted to the fuselage tailcone, up through the headliner and into the areas where the wing attach fittings are, inside the cover strip that covers the gap between wing and fuselage, etc. How much dirt and mud are in there, and can it be trapping water, or has water been seeping into the crevices in the airplane belly, etc.

What you're addressing is the annoying fact that gremlins leave their nasty little fingerprints in the airplane, but they never leave a note to identify themselves in the logbooks.

Thats a good plan. i have one of those fancy Milwaukee video inspection cams i will definatley bring with me.

Firewall and tunnel area for damage, outer main landing gear supports for cracks, battery box for corrosion, tail for corrosion, log books. Probably worth paying for a mechanic to do a prebuy if you like what you see after your initial look

Best 182 made! Light, straight tail, great straightforward airplane!

Is the 182 close enough to home base that your regular mechanic can go look at it, or do you need a referral to a guy closer to the airplane? PM me if you need someone in the Calgary or Medicine Hat area.

Thanks for the advice, heading to look tomorrow