C-182 Handbook

Cessna Skylane: Taxiing

Taxiing the Cessna Skylane is relatively easy, because the airplane has a steerable nosewheel and is more stable on the ground than a taildragger like the Extra 300S. Keep the following points in mind as you maneuver the Cessna Skylane on the ground:

	Watch your speed. A good rule of thumb is to taxi no faster than a brisk walk. A power setting of about 1,000 RPM should keep you moving at the appropriate speed.
	Don't "ride the brakes." Use the brakes sparingly. To slow down or stop, reduce power, then apply brakes only as necessary to reduce speed or stop.
	Stay on the taxiway centerline. Wandering left or right of the center is not only bad form, you could hit a wing tip.
	If you've turned the Auto-coordination option off, you must use the rudder to turn the airplane on the ground. Moving the joystick or control yoke left and right won't help you change direction.

Cessna Skylane: Takeoffs

Watch a video on wake turbulance

The Cessna Skylane will take off practically on its own—if you let it. The most important thing to remember during a takeoff in the Cessna Skylane is to use smooth, small control inputs—good advice in any aircraft.Here's some basic advice to help you take off successfully:

	After you complete the pre-takeoff checklist, review the takeoff checklist.
	When you're ready to take off, line up on the runway. Make note of a point in the distance that's aligned with the runway centerline (for example, a tall building). Use that point as a reference to help you stay aligned with the runway during and after takeoff.
	Release the brakes and smoothly apply full power.
	Make small corrections to stay on the centerline. Unless there's a strong crosswind, you won't need to do much to keep the Cessna rolling straight down the runway.
	If you've turned the Auto-coordination option off, you must use the rudder to control the airplane on the ground. Moving the joystick or control yoke left and right won't help you change direction. You'll need to add right rudder to compensate for the airplane's left-turning tendency, especially when the airplane is traveling at low speed.
	As the airspeed indicator approaches 60 knots, ease back on the stick slightly. The airplane will lift off and start to climb. Don't pull back too hard. A small, smooth, steady pull on the stick is all it takes.
	Adjust the aircraft's pitch attitude to maintain about 80 knots. Use the trim to relieve any forward or back pressure you're holding to maintain the proper pitch attitude.
	In the Skylane RG, retract the landing gear after you confirm that you're climbing and that there's no more runway ahead to land on if the engine fails.

Cessna Skylane: Climbs

The Cessna Skylane delivers a good rate of climb—more than 1000 feet per minute at sea level under standard weather conditions. But to get the best performance out of the Cessna Skylane, you must fly the airplane smoothly and precisely. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

	After takeoff, complete the climb checklist.
	Adjust the aircraft's pitch attitude to maintain the best climb speed and a good view out the front window. About 10 degrees nose up works pretty well. You'll find that the Cessna Skylane climbs most efficiently at about 80 knots indicated airspeed.
	If you've turned the Auto-coordination option off, you must use the rudder to maintain coordinated flight. When the airplane is traveling at low speed with a high power setting, as in a climb, you need to add right rudder to compensate for the airplane's left-turning tendency.
	If airspeed gets a little fast, ease the nose up slightly. If speed starts to drop, lower the nose slightly.
	To see the effect of changing pitch attitude on airspeed and rate of climb, experiment a little. Raise and lower the nose slightly and check the airspeed indicator and vertical speed indicator. You'll find that a change of just a few degrees in pitch attitude can cause big changes in airspeed and rate of climb.

Cessna Skylane: Cruising Flight

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Like most piston-engine aircraft, the Cessna Skylane is most efficient at a cruise altitude of 8,000–10,000 ft MSL. To transition from climbing to cruising flight, follow this procedure, known as the "pitch, power, trim" rule:

	Start to level off 50–75 ft below your intended cruising altitude.
	Apply smooth, forward pressure on the stick to lower the nose so that it's about level with the horizon. You won't need much pressure, so don't overdo it.
	Hold the nose level and let the airspeed increase. You'll probably need to hold forward pressure on the stick to keep the nose from pitching up. To relieve that pressure, add nose-down trim.
	When the airspeed stops increasing, check the power setting. Adjust the throttle until the manifold pressure gauge reads 19–21 inches. If you've clicked the Manual option under Prop Advance on the Engines tab of the Realism and Reliability dialog box (Aircraft menu), you can also adjust the propeller control to set the tachometer to read 2,200–2,300 RPM.
	After about 20 seconds, use the elevator trim to relieve any pressure you're holding on the stick.
	If you've clicked Mixture Control on the Engines tab of the Realism and Reliability dialog box (Aircraft menu), adjust the mixture control to make the engine run efficiently and save fuel.

Cessna Skylane: Descents

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To descend, lower the nose and reduce power. Follow the "pitch, power, trim" rule again.

	Apply forward pressure on the stick to lower the nose slightly—just two or three degrees below the horizon should do it.
	As you establish that pitch attitude, reduce power (hold down F2) until the manifold pressure gauge shows about 18.0.
	Hold the nose at the proper descent attitude and wait a few seconds. Then use trim to relieve pressure on the stick. If you're holding forward pressure to keep the nose down, press KEYPAD 1; if you're holding back pressure, press KEYPAD 7.
	After a few small adjustments, you should have the airplane flying "hands off" in a gradual descent at about 700 feet per minute.
	If you've turned Auto-coordination off, you'll need to add some left rudder in the descent to keep the ball in the turn coordinator centered.

Cessna Skylane: Landings

Click to watch a video on the traffic pattern

For most pilots, landing is the most challenging part of flying. The secret to a soft, smooth landing, odd as it sounds, is to try to keep the airplane from touching down. Easier said than done, but here are a few tips for bringing the Cessna Skylane softly back to earth:Q Descend to about 1,000 ft above airport elevation (the altimeter will show 1,600 ft if you're flying into Chicago's Miegs Field).

	Review the landing checklist, then extend the landing gear if you’re flying the Skylane.
	Fly a standard traffic pattern. Following this procedure helps you establish good habits, and makes it easier to achieve smooth, consistent landings.
	When you're on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern opposite your intended touchdown point, reduce the throttle until the manifold pressure gauge shows about 10.
	Hold the nose about level with the horizon.
	Slowly extend 30 degrees of flaps in 10-degree increments as you fly around the traffic pattern. If you hold the nose slightly below the horizon, the airspeed should settle at about 65 knots.
	Use nose-up or nose-down trim to relieve any pressure you're holding on the stick to maintain pitch attitude.
	If you’re flying the Skylane RG, as you fly the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, make sure the landing gear is down and locked.
	As you approach the end of the runway, smoothly reduce power to idle and smoothly raise the nose until it's slightly above the horizon.
	Hold that attitude and let the airplane settle onto the runway. Don't worry if you don't get it right the first few times, just keep practicing.
	After you land, taxi off the runway to the ramp and complete the shut down checklist.

TIP: To get an idea of what a good landing should look like, click Land Me on the Aircraft menu. Use this command until you've had more practice flying.