The Bücker Bü 182 Kornett was a specialized, small-scale trainer project developed in Germany during the late 1930s. Designed to function as a single-seat advanced trainer, the Bü 182 was created as a compact alternative and experimental companion to the two-seat Bücker Bü 181, which served as the primary beginner trainer for German aviation. While the Bü 181 achieved widespread production and use, the Bü 182 remained a niche concept focused on a more streamlined, single-pilot training configuration.
Production of the Bü 182 was handled by Bücker Flugzeugbau, a company that specialized in the development of sport and training aircraft. The manufacturer had originally been established in 1933 in Berlin-Johannisthal, but by 1935, the company had relocated its operations to a new factory in Rangsdorf, near Berlin. Consequently, the development and assembly of the Bü 182 were associated with the Rangsdorf works. The aircraft's development culminated in its first flight, which took place on 10 November 1938.
Technical details regarding the Bü 182 are limited due to its low production volume. The aircraft was powered by a Walter Mikron engine capable of producing 60 hp. While some references to a "Bü 182 C" kit suggest the possibility of different engine installations, the Walter Mikron remains the only reliably documented powerplant for the known examples. Because the aircraft was produced in such small numbers, a comprehensive set of performance specifications—such as maximum speed, range, or service ceiling—was not formally documented in the available records.
The Bü 182 never entered mass production or saw operational combat service. It did not serve in wartime squadrons, nor was it utilized in regular commercial or civil airline roles. Its historical significance is primarily as a prototype and a light training concept. Production figures are sparse; however, reported data suggests that at most four examples of the aircraft were ever built or started. Due to its rarity and the lack of archival factory records, the Bü 182 remains a little-known footnote in the broader history of Bücker's aviation contributions.