182 Skylane vs PA-18 Super Cub
The 182 Skylane leads, topping 4 of 7 compared metrics.
Put the Cessna / Textron Aviation 182 Skylane (introduced 1956) beside the Piper Aircraft PA-18 Super Cub (introduced 1949) and the trade-offs sharpen fast. Both are piston singles, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is range, where the 182 Skylane has the advantage. Below we compare them spec by spec, then break down which aircraft suits which mission.
6 more specs per aircraft — ceiling, climb, cabin, dimensions and more — are free with an account.
182 Skylane vs PA-18 Super Cub: the key differences
- The 182 Skylane delivers 133% more range (182 Skylane: 915 nm; PA-18 Super Cub: 392 nm).
- The 182 Skylane delivers 45% more cruise speed (182 Skylane: 145 kt; PA-18 Super Cub: 100 kt).
- The 182 Skylane delivers 100% more passenger capacity (182 Skylane: 4 seats; PA-18 Super Cub: 2 seats).
- The 182 Skylane is the newer design (introduced 1956 versus 1949 for the PA-18 Super Cub), a gap of 7 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The 182 Skylane is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (3,100 lbs versus 1,750 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for short-haul and regional hops, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the 182 Skylane seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the 182 Skylane leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The PA-18 Super Cub can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
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182 Skylane vs PA-18 Super Cub: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the 182 Skylane or the PA-18 Super Cub?
The 182 Skylane has the longer published range — 915 nm versus 392 nm for the PA-18 Super Cub.
Does the 182 Skylane or PA-18 Super Cub seat more passengers?
The 182 Skylane carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 4 seats, compared with 2 on the PA-18 Super Cub.
Which is faster, the 182 Skylane or the PA-18 Super Cub?
The 182 Skylane cruises faster, at 145 kt versus 100 kt for the PA-18 Super Cub.
Which is newer, the 182 Skylane or the PA-18 Super Cub?
The 182 Skylane is the newer design, introduced in 1956 versus 1949 for the PA-18 Super Cub.
Is the 182 Skylane or the PA-18 Super Cub the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the 182 Skylane is the larger aircraft — 3,100 lbs versus 1,750 lbs for the PA-18 Super Cub.
Should I buy the 182 Skylane or the PA-18 Super Cub?
On published specifications the 182 Skylane leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The PA-18 Super Cub can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the 182 Skylane vs PA-18 Super Cub?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.