182 v 172

[VWGhiaBob]

Rethinking my leaning to Cirrus, I'm looking once again at Cessna's. So much easier to fly, better safety record, more resistant to loss of control in the pattern...

Question for all you Cessna experts out there...

Is the cockpit roomier in a 182 than a 172? People weigh more today than they did when the 172 was designed, and I do get a bit tired of rubbing legs with the person in the co-pilot seat.

Is the 182 wider, or is it just a 172 with a bigger engine?

Thanks, all!

 

[Jim Logajan]

Besides cabin width, what are your minimum requirements or desires, prioritized?
Minimum acceptable cruise speed?
Maximum acceptable stall speed (or maximum acceptable takeoff distance)?
Minimum acceptable range?
Minimum number of bodies and payload?
Maximum acceptable upfront acquisition cost?
Maximum acceptable per hour operating and maintenance costs?

The reason I ask is because if "easier to fly, better safety record, more resistant to loss of control in the pattern" and having the comfortable elbow room of a C-182 was all that mattered, a Zenith CH-750 would work. Or even an ultralight that has no cockpit walls!