This 1975 Cessna 182P Is a Kenai-Conversion ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

STOL adaptation blends ultra-low airframe time with modern IO-550 muscle.

FLYING Staff

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

1975 Cessna 182P Skylane [Credit: Todd Peterson]

Key Takeaways:

This 1975 Cessna 182P Skylane has been extensively transformed into a high-performance STOL machine via the Peterson Kenai conversion.
It features a powerful 300 hp Continental IO-550 engine with low hours since new, significantly upgrading its climb and cruise profiles.
The aircraft underwent a comprehensive 2017 rejuvenation, including a premium interior and a modern Garmin avionics suite (GTN 750Txi, GFC 500 autopilot).
With only 2,035 total airframe hours, this highly modernized and low-time aircraft is listed for $580,000.

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Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1975 Cessna 182P Skylane.

While the Cessna 182 has earned a global reputation as the “SUV of the skies,” some owners find the factory specifications to be merely a starting point. This particular airframe, located in El Dorado, Kansas—the birthplace of the Peterson Kenai conversion—represents a total evolution of the species.

It’s no longer just a Skylane but a high-performance STOL machine designed to bridge the gap between heavy hauling and backcountry brawn.

Finding a 1970s-era airframe with only 2,035 total hours is a rarity, but this aircraft offers more than just low time. In 2017, it underwent a comprehensive rejuvenation that effectively reset the clock on its aesthetic and mechanical life. The result is the ramp presence of a brand-new aircraft, benefiting from a legacy of meticulous upkeep and the specific engineering expertise of Peterson Performance Plus.

The defining characteristic of this 182P is the massive jump in power living under the cowl. Replacing the standard 230 hp engine is a 300 hp Continental IO-550, which transforms the aircraft’s climb and cruise profiles. With only 518 hours since it was installed factory-new, this fuel-injected powerhouse is supported by GAMIjectors and a Reiff engine preheater, ensuring the Kenai conversion delivers maximum torque whether you are departing a short grass strip or cruising at altitude.

Inside, the cabin has been reimagined as a modern flight deck rather than a vintage relic. The 2017 restoration introduced a premium leather interior, leather-wrapped control wheels, and extended baggage area for long-distance utility.

1975 Cessna 182P Skylane [Credit: Todd Peterson]

The avionics suite is anchored by a Garmin GTN 750Txi touchscreen, providing a massive interface for navigation and fuel flow data. This nerve center is paired with a GFC 500 autopilot featuring altitude preselect and a GI 275 standby indicator, giving the pilot a level of automation and redundancy usually reserved for late-model turbines.

Navigating modern, high-traffic environments is made effortless by a Garmin GTX 345 transponder, which pipes ADS-B In weather and traffic directly onto the glass displays. Meanwhile, a JPI EDM 800 allows for surgical monitoring of the IO-550’s temperatures.

Listed at $580,000, this 1975 Cessna 182P Kenai is a turnkey solution for the pilot who wants the reliability of a Cessna with the uncompromising performance of a modern STOL custom.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.