Date: 201703
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Parked; Taxi
ATC / advisory: CTAF ZZZ; Tower ZZZ
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Private
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Dispatch; Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I called dispatch to have a solo flight scheduled for the following day at around XA00 in a C172. They said that I would be scheduled accordingly. I checked the online scheduling program that night and noticed that I had a morning flight at XA36 the next day. I did not notice whether or not flight was in a 172 since I was just checking the time of flight under the assumption that I was scheduled in the right aircraft. When I arrived at the airport; I told dispatch my name and they gave me an aircraft. I checked the hours to make sure that it had not overflown its 100 hour inspection and proceeded out to the flight line. During preflight; I had noticed some things were different than what I was used to; eg. Retractable gear; Fuel sampling port placement; cockpit configuration and a few other minor things. I attributed the slight differences to the older age of the aircraft (since I had grown used to flying relatively newer aircraft for the past few months) and was still under the impression that I was flying a C172 that might have been configured differently. I had trouble getting the aircraft started after a few attempts; so I went inside and asked for an instructor's assistance. When said instructor came out and starting the aircraft for me I continued my preflight. I took off from runway 21L and flew to a nearby airport where I attempted 2 landings; but had to go-around both times due to being too high on final. It was at this point where I realized I should fly back to home base and try for one more at a familiar airport. After being cleared for 21L I was on 5 mile final and was given a runway change to 21R. After a successful touch and go on 21R I then asked for a full stop on 21L; which resulted in a safe landing and taxi back to the FBO's ramp.When returning the book to dispatch; I mentioned that the engine RPM felt a little different on short final. Carb heat was mentioned and I was unaware of it being in the aircraft since the 172's that I've flown thus far have all been fuel injected. Shortly thereafter; we came to the conclusion that I had flown in a C182; which I am not endorsed for. I understand that the responsibility falls on me as PIC and I am fully aware of the possible consequences that could ensue. That being said; I would like to add that I am relatively new to fixed wing aircraft due to the fact that I've flown rotary for the past 2 years and could not determine the difference between a 172 and a 182 prior to this incident.




Synopsis: GA pilot reported unknowingly flying a C182RG without a checkout. After his flight and commenting about performance differences; he became aware that he had flown a C182RG when only qualified to fly the C172.