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| STANDARD DATA: ((RG) Seats 4. Gross wt. 3,100. Empty wt. 1,750. Fuel capacity 92. Engine 235-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 184. Cruise mph 180. Stall mph 58. Initial climb rate 1,140. Ceiling 14,300. Range 972. Takeoff distance (50') 1,570. Landing distance (50') 1,320. STANDARD DATA: (Turbo RG) Seats 4. Gross wt. 3,100. Empty wt. 1,797. Fuel capacity 92. Engine 235-hp turbocharged Lycoming. |
The Skylane RG is the most recent addition to Cessna's high-performance retractable single-engine lineup. It retains all the features that have made the Skylane the most popular 200-hp plus single-engine airplane ever built. Without the drag of nonretractable gear, speed and climb performance have been greatly improved. The Skylane RG has a maximum speed of 184 mph and a climb speed of 1,140 fpm that puts the airplane at 7,500 feet in less than 10 minutes. Despite the addition of retractable gear, the useful load has actually been increased by 145 pounds. The retractable gear has been designed with simplicity in mind. Retraction time is seven seconds, with the main gear retracting into the wheel wells in the fuselage and the nose gear rotating forward.
In 1979, Cessna added a turbocharged version of the Skylane RG to its line. The turbocharged model provides sea-level performance at altitude. Its rate of climb at 10,000 feet is 890 fpm, while at 20,000 feet it's 660 fpm. Above 10,000 feet, the Turbo RG will climb twice as fast as the normally aspirated model. The only noticeable external difference between the two is the one exhaust pipe instead of the two pipes on the nonturbocharged version. In 1980, both Skylane RG models added air conditioning as an option. Although not certified for flight into known icing, an optional antiice system includes propeller anti-ice, windshield antiice, heated pitot and stall warning, plus an ice detection light. Also, 1981 and later models can be fitted with three-blade propellers and an autopilot as options.
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