ntsb.gov

DEFINITELY talk to an insurer BEFORE you leap into a different airplane and put it on floats. Skis typically do not change the insurance rates, but floats definitely do. I wouldn't be surprised to see a $5000 a year bill, depending on the hull value of the plane.

MTV

The 182 I just got has EDO 2700 on it and I think you can also put 2790's on the early 182's with the red lakes seaplane kit.
Have heard that it is not as stout as the other but it is what's on mine.
GT

I've been considering (although not super seriously) selling my Maule M5 for a 182. (Insurance for my M5 by the way on floats, with me having 300 hours is $4K / year) I thought some people following this thread may be interested in the excerpt below. This was a response from Seaplanes West, a company specializing in 182 float conversions kits. You need to go to the bottom of the post to first read the email I sent to him.

"Hi Garth. Your figures are in the right direction. The IO-470 @ 260 HP should be avoided.

Yes, the 182 would bring you up a big notch, and load 4 bodies quite nicely. The P, Q or R models should be your target aircraft. They come stock with the 0-470 engines and a 2 blade prop. If you are fortunate enough to get one with an engine upgrade, you'll need the IO-520 or IO-550 AirPlains conversion (fuel-injected) to qualify for the upgross weight increase of 3350 pounds.

The 0-470 original engine I can get you up to 3200 with the addition of just a Hartzell 3 blade prop.

Upgross kit takes about 7 hours labor to install. All other numbers and dollars you have are good.

Kind regards,
Jim Schwerman Seaplanes West Inc.
288A Campion Street
Kelowna, B.C.
Canada V1X 7S8
Ph. 250-807-0305
Fax: 250-807-7622
----- Original Message -----

To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 6:19 PM
Subject: Cessna 182's

Hi Jim,

My name is Garth and I have a few questions for you. I bought a Maule M5-235 last spring on Edo 2440’s. It my first airplane and I only fly it on floats. I like the aircraft but have been tossing around in my mind a 182. My primary interest is float flying but would consider it for wheels in the winter. I learned on 172’s and got my rating on a 180 so I’m familiar with Cessna. My thought process is that I want a true 4 person float plane. Having said that, I’m thinking the best way to achieve that is a 182 with a Seaplanes west conversion, with your recently approved up gross kit as well. I would likely look for an IO-470 for the 260 HP. Reason for the larger engine I’m thinking is that having the useful load on paper is one thing, but getting it off the water is another. The reason why the 182 is that I like the wide body – particularly in the back seat. Is there any other advantages of the 182 over the 180? I’ve had people tell me not to get the 182 as electric flaps on floats are a no no – not sure why?

Am I thinking this out right? Am I on the right track? If so, I’m thinking there are a lot of 182’s out there but a lot less with the conversion. If I’m reading your website correctly, the float conversion kit is $10K and the labour is 100 hours. The Upgross kit is an additional $7.5K. What is the labour estimate on this?

I’m just in the budget stage right now so just trying to get a handle on costs and see if I’m looking at this correctly.

Any input would be appreciated."

Would like to find out why the 260 hp should be avoided?
Thanks GT

Pundy wrote:I know, I know, can you tell I need to talk things through?

Ok, one last question. Am I nuts to be looking at a 180 with 10,000 hours on the airframe? It has seen time on floats and skis.

Nope, not nuts. I know of a C185 with 25K hours, floats and skis. Flies every day in the summertime.

I think the trick to high time airframes is wreckage. I like to see damage history on one that's been used that hard, as most 180/185 have. I feel much better about one that has been torn apart and rebuilt as one that has 6000 hours on it and NDH in the logs.

180's are really easy to get spanked on when you go to buy, so be careful.

If I were you I'd keep the 182. Looks like you've already spent the money on it. There ain't a thing wrong with a nose wheel airplane. Floats are cool too, but the price to play goes way up.

gb

Just looked on Alaska List, I think there are 4 180's on it with floats wheels ski's for under 90k
Good luck
GT

There is no one perfect airplane for all occasions. If I were in your shoes I would fly the 182 for a while and become familiar with it's abilities, which are considerable, and would decide what things you would really use be it Floats or Amphib skiis, The favorite plane around here is the 185 for float and ski work, but there's a hefty price difference. A 180 has the smaller cabin, and if you like the room in the '2 you may find it tight. Don't bite off more than you can chew. A lot of guys would still be flying if they had stuck with the less expensive planes.

I am still getting tears at Shortfielder's answer to the question. ...........

Yes you did buy the wrong airplane, Please sign it over to me and I will come and get it and you can go find the airplane you really want.

one thing hasn't been mentioned here yet.... I started airplane ownership years ago with a PA 22 after 300 hrs renting various types... I flew the tripacer for years all over the west with my summer vacations in Idaho flying that beautiful back country landing at most of the strips in Idaho with 600x6's with never a problem... I moved up to my Maule because of the horsepower increase and got my taildragger endorsement... I practiced and practiced and got confident and flew for a couple years... and thennn ,,, and thennn,,,, along came Jones.... when landing at Columbia Cal one trip with a headwind I was rolling out and at a specific point on the runway I was hit with a quartering tail wind that whips around a small hill on the right side of the runway... well it was off the pavement to the right and I had my ground loop and over 20,000 worth of damage...which is why you pay all that extra for insurance...I have over 1100 hrs now and I still fly like I'm on eggs when landing... It will open your eyes I'll tell you ... and like they say... it's not IF you'll ground loop it's WHEN...now there are many who will tell you they've never ground looped but that's the reason for the insurance cost..you only have a few, relatively speaking, hours and not that many in taildraggers... Enjoy the 182 and forget the floats...you can go most anywhere with the 182 if you respect the nose gear and it's fragility..don't get me wrong, i'm not the least bit sorry for going to my Maule and I love it.. but it will and does need to be flown, so to speak till the prop stops...