Cessna 185
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The Cessna 185, also known as the 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 being completed in March of 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. Production ceased in large part in 1985 due to two factors: the demise of the general aviation boom that characterized the post WWII years in the United States, and the growing awareness by insurance companies that tail wheel aircraft were harder to insure due to their handling characteristics during take off and landing. When Cessna re-introduced some of its most popular models in the 1990's, the tailwheel equipped Cessna 180 and 185 were left to the history books and not resurrected.
The aircraft is basically a Cessna 180 with a strengthened fuselage. The main difference between the two aircraft is the 300 hp (224 kW) Continental Motors IO-520-D engine as opposed to the 230 hp (172 kW) Continental Motors O-470-S fitted in 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 aircraft can be modified for crop dusting by the addition of spray gear. It is also possible to fit a cargo pod under the fuselage that can carry an extra 300 lb (136 kg).
As part of the United States Military Assistance Program, Cessna received a contract to supply the United States Air Force with the Skywagon. These were intended for delivery overseas and were designated U-17A and U-17B.
The 180 and 185 have become deeply entrentched in bush flying, the rugged tradition of wilderness flying primarily done in Canada and Alaska.
The ICAO designator as used in flight plans for the Cessna 185 is C185.
Specifications Landplane (C185)
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: 5 passengers
- Length: 7.85 m (25 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 10.92 m (35 ft 10 in)
- Height: 2.36 m (7 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 16.16 m² (174 ft²)
- Empty: 725 kg (1,600 lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 1,520 kg (3,350 lb)
- Powerplant: 1x Continental Motors IO-520-D, 300 hp (224 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 155 knots (287 km/h) at sea level
- Range: 573 nautical miles (1,061 km) at maximum cruising speed with standard tanks and no reserve
- Service ceiling: 17,150 ft (5,230 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,010 ft/min (5.1 m/s) at sea level
- Wing loading: 19.3 lb/ft² (94.2 kg/m²)
Specification Notes
- Length is 8.23 m (27 ft 0 in) for the floatplane and 8.38 m (27 ft 6 in) for the amphibian.
- Height is 3.71 m (12 ft 2 in) for the floatplane and 3.86 m (12 ft 8 in) for the amphibian.
- Empty weight is 1,745 lb (792 kg) for the skiplane, 1,910 lb (866 kg) for the floatplane and 2,165 lb (982 kg) for the amphibian.
- Maximum takeoff is 3,320 lb (1,506 kg) for the floatplane, 3,265 lb (1,481 kg) for the amphibian on land and 3,100 lb (1,406 kg) for the amphibian on water.
- Maximum speed is 252 km/h (136 knots) for the skiplane, 261 km/h (141 knots) for the floatplane and 251 km/h (135 knots) for the amphibian.
- Range is 957 km (516 nautical miles) for the skiplane, 933 km (503 nautical miles) for the floatplane and 893 km (482 nautical miles) for the amphibian.
- Service ceiling is 16,400 ft (5,000 m) for the floatplane and 15,300 ft (4,700 m) for the amphibian.
- Rate of climb is 293 m/min (960 ft/min) for the floatplane and 296 m/min (970 ft/min) for the amphibian.
- Wing loading is 93.3 kg/m² (19.1 lb/ft²) for the floatplane and 91.8 kg/m² (18.8 lb/ft²) for the amphibian.
Military Operators
- Bolivia, Greece, Iran, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay.
Related Content
Related Development
Cessna 182
Designation Sequence
177 - 180 - 182 - 185 - 190 - 195 - 205
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