Cessna 185 Skywagon

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 floats, 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 rudimentary, remote airstrips, lakes and snowfields, primarily in Canada and Alaska.

Variants

Civil variants

Cessna has historically used model years similar to U.S. auto manufacturers, with sales of new models typically starting a few months prior to the actual calendar year.

185 Skywagon: 1961 model year powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F engine with six seats and a gross weight of 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) as a landplane. Certified on 31 January 1961. 238 built.
185A Skywagon: 1962 model year with new wingtips and position lights, two electric auxiliary fuel pumps, and vernier throttle/mixture controls. Certified on 20 September 1961. 275 built.
185B Skywagon: 1963 model year with an overhead light console, magnesium rudder pedals, and a single electric auxiliary fuel pump. Certified on 25 June 1962. 141 built.
185C Skywagon: 1964 model year with a 52A/12V alternator, a manual tailwheel lock, and dual brake linings. Certified on 19 July 1963. 124 built.
185D Skywagon: 1965 model year with open-view control wheels and a redesigned instrument panel with center-mounted instruments and an integrated engine instrument cluster. Certified on 17 June 1964. 191 built.
185E/A185E Skywagon: Introduced for the 1966 model year with an increased gross weight of 3,300 lb (1,497 kg). The A185E was also offered in 1966 with a 300 hp (224 kW) Continental IO-520-D engine and a gross weight of 3,350 lb (1,520 kg). The 185E was discontinued for the 1967 model year, while the A185E received a pointed propeller spinner, individual center passenger seats, a "split-bus" electrical system, and a 60A alternator. 1968 introduced a new automatic induction air system as well as new seat belts, a baggage door, and seat adjustment handles. 1969 introduced optional 300/400-series ARC avionics. 1970 introduces a side-loading door on the left side of the fuselage and conical camber wingtips. An agricultural aircraft version was introduced in 1972 as the AgCarryall with a 151 US gal (572 L) chemical tank, removable 30-nozzle spray booms with a wind-driven spray system, windshield wire cutters, and a cable deflector on the vertical stabilizer. Certified on 24 September 1965. 988 total built; 138 (1966 185E), 45 (1966 A185E), 450 (1967–1969), 347 (1970–1972 Skywagon), and 8 (1972 AgCarryall).
A185F Skywagon: Introduced for the 1973 model year with a "Camber-Lift" wing, dual nose-mounted landing/taxi lights, a redesigned instrument panel with a split-rocker master switch, and padded control wheels. The 1974 model year introduced optional cabin door bubble windows for improved downward visibility. 1976 introduced nylon seating fabric, airspeed indicators in knots, and optional polycarbonate heater outlets. 1977 introduced redesigned control wheels, an improved fuel selector valve, and a strengthened tailwheel. 1978 introduced a 28V electrical system, an avionics master power switch, and the Skywagon II with the preferred options package as standard, including IFR avionics. 1980 introduced a three-bladed propeller, replacing the two-bladed unit on previous model years. Certified on 16 October 1973. 2,272 total built; 196 (1973 Skywagon), 7 (1973 AgCarryall), 225 (1974 Skywagon), 15 (1974 AgCarryall), 211 (1975 Skywagon), 31 (1975 AgCarryall), 279 (1976 Skywagon), 18 (1976 AgCarryall), 288 (1977 Skywagon), 16 (1977 AgCarryall), 218 (1978 Skywagon), 7 (1978 AgCarryall), 255 (1979), 200 (1980), 185 (1981), 70 (1982), 20 (1983), 8 (1984), and 23 (1985).

Military variants

U-17A: 63 185Bs, 34 185Cs, 83 185Ds, 72 185Es, and 13 A185Es acquired by the USAF to supply to a number of countries under the Military Assistance Program.
U-17B: 201 A185Es and 10 A185Fs acquired by the USAF to supply to a number of countries under the Military Assistance Program.
U-37: Brazilian Air Force designation for the 185.

Operators

Civil operators

The Cessna 185 is popular with air charter companies and is operated by private individuals and companies.

Military operators

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.

Argentina

Argentine Army Aviation

Bolivia

Bolivian Air Force 7 x A185E, 8 x A185F * 5 x U-17A

Costa Rica

Guardia Civil 3 x U-17A

Ecuador

Ecuadorian Army 2 x 185D

Greece

Hellenic Army 9 x U-17A

Honduras

Honduran Air Force received a Cessna 185B in 1962, a U-17A in 1963 and a 185D in 1965.

Indonesia

Indonesian Air Force

Iran

Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force 185A – no longer in service
Islamic Revolutionary Army Aviation 185A – no longer in service

Israel

Israel Air Force 185

Jamaica

Jamaica Defence Force – 4 x 185 from 1963 to 1985

Laos

Royal Lao Air Force – U-17s used as reconnaissance and observation aircraft for Nokateng Forward Air Controllers during the Laotian Civil War

Nicaragua

Nicaraguan Air Force 3 x U-17B

Panama

Panamanian Public Forces 3 x U-17A

Paraguay

Paraguayan Air Force 5 x U-17A

Peru

Peruvian Air Force 9 x 185

Philippines

Philippine Air Force 8 x U-17A, 9 x U-17B

Portugal

Portuguese Air Force 5 x 185A operated 1968 to 1974.

Rhodesia

Rhodesian Air Force – Two civil aircraft impressed into service, about 17 aircraft on loan from the South African Air Force, in service during the 1970s.

El Salvador

Air Force of El Salvador 1 x 185

South Africa

South African Air Force 24 x 185A, 12 x 185D, 9 x 185E

South Vietnam

Republic of Vietnam Air Force – About 100 U-17As and U-17Bs were used by the VNAF. No longer in service.

Thailand

Royal Thai Army Aviation U-17B
Royal Thai Navy

Turkey

Turkish Army Aviation U-17B

Uruguay

Uruguayan Air Force 12 x U-17A

Accidents and incidents

On August 14, 1989, a Cessna A185E Skywagon registered N95KW crashed shortly after a balked landing at Coastal Airport, located near Myrtle Grove, Florida. The pilot's seat latch slipped on the railing, causing the pilot to unintentionally stall the aircraft. The pilot and the two passengers on board were all severely injured. The resulting product liability trial, concluding twelve years later, resulted in a $480 million judgment against Cessna. The case was later settled out-of-court for an undisclosed sum. This accident also brought about a series of airworthiness directives that affected all small Cessnas ever built.

Specifications (1978 Cessna 185 II landplane)

Data from Cessna

General characteristics

Crew: one
Capacity: five passengers
Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 10 in (10.92 m)
Height: 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m)
Wing area: 174 sq ft (16.2 m²)
Empty weight: 1,748 lb (793 kg)
Gross weight: 3,350 lb (1,520 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Continental IO-520-D , 300 hp (220 kW)
Propellers: 2-bladed constant speed, 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) diameter

Performance

Maximum speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h)
Cruise speed: 145 kn (167 mph, 269 km/h)
Stall speed: 49 kn (56 mph, 91 km/h)
Range: 720 nmi (830 mi, 1,330 km)
Service ceiling: 17,150 ft (5,230 m)
Rate of climb: 1,010 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
Wing loading: 19.3 lb/sq ft (94 kg/m²)

Specification for differing configurations

Notes

References

Andrade, John. Militair 1982, Aviation Press Limited, London 1982. ISBN 0-907898-01-7.
Churchill, Jan. Hit My Smoke: Forward Air Controllers in Southeast Asia, Sunflower University Press, Manhattan KS, 1997. ISBN 0-89745-215-1
Hagedorn, Daniel P. "From Caudillos to COIN". Air Enthusiast, Thirty-three, July–November 1986. pp. 55–70.
Niccoli, Riccardo (May–June 1998). "Portuguese Numerology: Serial systems used by the Aeronautica Militar and the Força Aerea Portuguesa". Air Enthusiast. No. 75. pp. 33–45. ISSN 0143-5450.33-45&rft.date=1998-05/1998-06&rft.issn=0143-5450&rft.aulast=Niccoli&rft.aufirst=Riccardo&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Cessna 185 Skywagon">