Cessna 185 Skywagon
Single engine piston aircraft with fixed landing gear built from 1961 through 1985 serial numbers 1 through 4448. The Cessna 185A Skywagon seats up to 5 passengers and 1 pilot.
Specifications (1961-1966 Models 185A-185E)
Exterior Dimensions
Wing span: 35ft 10in
Length: 25ft 8in
Height: 7ft 9in
Weights
Gross Weight: 3,200 LBS
Empty Weight: 1,520 LBS
Maximum Payload: 1,080 LBS
Fuel capacity: 65 GAL
Performance Specifications
| Horsepower: 260.00 | Gross Weight: 3,200 |
| Top Speed: 153 | Empty Weight: 1,520 |
| Cruise Speed: 145 | Fuel Capacity: 65 |
| Stall Speed (dirty): 54 | Range: 561 |
| Rate of Climb: 1,000 | Rate of Climb (One Engine): |
| Service Ceiling: 17,300 | Ceiling (One Engine): |
| Takeoff | Landing |
| Ground Roll: 650 | Ground Roll 610 |
| Takeoff Roll Over 50 ft: 1,510 | Landing Roll Over 50 ft: 1,265 |
Engine
Manufacturer: Cont Motor
Model: IO-470 Series
Horsepower: 260 HP
Overhaul (HT): 1,700 Hrs
Years before overhaul: 12
Specifications (1967-1985 Models A185E and A185F)
Exterior Dimensions
Wing span: 35ft 10in
Length: 25ft 8in
Height: 7ft 9in
Weights
Gross Weight: 3,350 LBS
Empty Weight: 1,565 LBS
Maximum Payload: 1,785 LBS
Fuel capacity: 65 GAL
Performance Specifications
Horsepower: 1 x 300 HP
Best Cruise Speed: 147 KIAS
Best Range (i): 470 NM
Fuel Burn @ 75%: 16.5 GPH
Stall Speed: 51 KIAS
Rate of climb: 1,040 FPM
Ceiling: 17,500 FT
Takeoff distance: 745 FT
Landing distance: 480 FT
Takeoff distance over 50ft obstacle: 1,330 FT
Landing distance over 50ft obstacle: 1,400 FT
Engine
Manufacturer: Cont Motor
Model: IO-520-D Series
Horsepower: 300 HP
Overhaul (HT): 1,900 Hrs
Years before overhaul: 12
View Specifications for other Model 185 Cessna
History
The Cessna 185 Skywagon is a six-seat, single-engined, general aviation light aircraft manufactured by Cessna. It first flew as a prototype in July 1960, with the first production model completed in March 1961. The Cessna 185 is a high-winged aircraft with non-retractable conventional landing gear and a tailwheel.
Over 4,400 were built with production ceasing in 1985. When Cessna re-introduced some of its most popular models in the 1990s, the tailwheel equipped Cessna 180 and 185 were not put back into production.
Design and development
The aircraft is basically a Cessna 180 with a strengthened fuselage. The main difference between the two aircraft is the larger vertical fin on the 185 and the 300 hp (224 kW) Continental IO-520-D engine as opposed to the 230 hp (172 kW) Continental O-470-S fitted to the Cessna 180. The exception was that a Continental Motors IO-470-F engine of 260 hp (194 kW) was initially fitted until midway through the 1966 production year. The later model Skywagon II has a factory fitted avionics package.
The Skywagon can also be fitted with floats, amphibious float, or skis. The AgCarryall variant of the 185 adds a 151-gallon belly chemical tank and removable spray booms for aerial application. It is also possible to fit a cargo pod under the fuselage that can carry an extra 300 lb (136 kg).
Operational history
The 180 and 185 are widely used in bush flying, the commercial transport of passengers and freight to remote, austere airstrips, lakes and snowfields, primarily in Canada and Alaska.
Variants
Civil variants
Cessna 185 Skywagon (1961) sn 1-237
Six seat high wing light aircraft powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F, landplane gross weight 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) and first certified on 31 January 1961.
Cessna 185A Skywagon (1962) sn 238-512
Six seat high wing light aircraft powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F, landplane gross weight 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) and first certified on 20 September 1961.
Cessna 185B Skywagon (1963) sn 513-653
Six seat high wing light aircraft powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F, landplane gross weight 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) and first certified on 25 June 1962.
Cessna 185C Skywagon (1964) sn 654-776
Six seat high wing light aircraft powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F, landplane gross weight 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) and first certified on 19 July 1963.
Cessna 185D Skywagon (1965) sn 777-967
Six seat high wing light aircraft powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F, landplane gross weight 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) and first certified on 17 June 1964.
Cessna 185E Skywagon (1966) sn 968-1149
Six seat high wing light aircraft powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F, landplane gross weight 3,300 lb (1,497 kg) and first certified on 24 September 1965.
During 1966, change to 300hp IO-520. Max continuous HP is 285.
Cessna A185E Skywagon and AgCarryall (1967-1972) sn 1150-2090
Six seat high wing light aircraft and agricultural aircraft powered by a 300 hp (224 kW) Continental IO-520-D, landplane gross weight 3,350 lb (1,520 kg) and first certified on 24 September 1965.
Cessna A185F Skywagon and AgCarryall (1973-1985) sn 2091-4448
Six seat high wing light aircraft and agricultural aircraft powered by a 300 hp (224 kW) Continental IO-520-D, landplane gross weight 3,350 lb (1,520 kg) and first certified on 16 October 1973.
Military variants
U-17A
Military version of the Cessna 185E, powered by a 260-hp (194-kW) Continental IO-470-F piston engine. Supplied by the USAF to a number of countries under the Military Assistance Program.
U-17B
Military version of the Cessna A185E, powered by a 300-hp (224-kW) Continental IO-520-D piston engine. Supplied by the USAF to a number countries under the Military Assistance Programme.
U-17C
Four-seat light utility aircraft, powered by a Continental IO-470-L piston engine.
