Cessna 185 Skywagon

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.

File:C-FFXO Cessna Skywagon II 185 (C185) 03.JPG, Nunavut, Canada]]

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).

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.

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 {{convert|260|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Continental IO-470-F engine with six seats and a gross weight of {{convert|3200|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} as a landplane. Certified on 31 January 1961. 238 built.{{cite web|url = http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/37377ef4b5f2ca218625756e006e0b64/$FILE/3A24%20Rev%2039.pdf|title = TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. 3A24 Revision 39|access-date = 2010-03-10|last = Federal Aviation Administration|author-link = Federal Aviation Administration|date = February 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100307013644/http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/37377ef4b5f2ca218625756e006e0b64/$FILE/3A24%20Rev%2039.pdf|archive-date = 2010-03-07|url-status = live}}Phillips, Edward H: Wings of Cessna, Model 120 to the Citation III, Flying Books, 1986. {{ISBN|0-911139-05-2}}

;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.

;{{Visible anchor|185E/A185E Skywagon}}

:Introduced for the 1966 model year with an increased gross weight of {{convert|3300|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The A185E was also offered in 1966 with a {{convert|300|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Continental IO-520-D engine and a gross weight of {{convert|3350|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. 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 {{convert|151|gal|L|0|abbr=on}} 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).

;{{Visible anchor|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).

;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.{{Cite web |title=Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/brazil.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=designation-systems.net}}

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

File:U-17A VNAF NhaTrang.jpg (RVNAF) at Nha Trang Air Base.]]

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.

;{{ARG}}

• Argentine Army Aviation{{cite web |url=http://www.ejercito.mil.ar/sitio/2015/noticias/noticia.asp?Id=2621 |title=Se distinguió al Tcnl aviador de Ejército Pedro Acosta |language=es |publisher=Ejército Argentino |date=2 December 2015 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423181043/http://www.ejercito.mil.ar/sitio/2015/noticias/noticia.asp?Id=2621 |archive-date=23 April 2016 |url-status=live }}

;{{BOL}}

• Bolivian Air Force 7 x A185E, 8 x A185F * 5 x U-17AAndrade 1982, Page 27

;{{CRC}}

• Guardia Civil 3 x U-17AAndrade 1982, Page 50

;{{ECU}}

• Ecuadorian Army 2 x 185DAndrade 1982, Page 58

;{{GRE}}

• Hellenic Army 9+ x U-17AAndrade 1982, Page 94

;{{HND}}

• Honduran Air Force received a Cessna 185B in 1962, a U-17A in 1963 and a 185D in 1965.Hagedorn 1986, p. 67.

;{{IDN}}

• Indonesian Air Force{{cite web|url= http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=Peace Research Institute |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|year=1965|access-date=11 February 2021}}

;{{IRN}}

• Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force 185AAndrade 1982, Page 107 – no longer in service
• Islamic Revolutionary Army Aviation 185AAndrade 1982, Page 109 – no longer in service

;{{ISR}}

• Israel Air Force 185Andrade 1982, Page 113

;{{JAM}}

• Jamaica Defence Force – 4 x 185 from 1963 to 1985{{Cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/user/fleet/jamaica-df-cessna-185-skywagon.htm|title = Cessna 185 Skywagon | Jamaican Defence Force| date=April 17, 2016 }}

;22px Laos

• Royal Lao Air Force – U-17s used as reconnaissance and observation aircraft for Nokateng Forward Air Controllers during the Laotian Civil WarChurchill 1997, Page 121

;{{NIC}}

• Nicaraguan Air Force 3 x U-17BAndrade 1982, Page 166

;{{PAN}}

• Panamanian Public Forces 3 x U-17AAndrade 1982, Page 174

;{{PAR}}

• Paraguayan Air Force 5 x U-17AAndrade 1982, Page 176

;{{PER}}

• Peruvian Air Force 9 x 185Andrade 1982, Page 177

;{{PHI}}

• Philippine Air Force 8 x U-17A, 9 x U-17BAndrade 1982, Page 181

;{{POR}}

• Portuguese Air Force 5 x 185A operated 1968 to 1974.Niccoli 1998, p. 38.

;{{flag|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.

;{{SLV}}

• Air Force of El Salvador 1 x 185Andrade 1982, Page 188

;{{RSA}}

• South African Air Force 24 x 185A, 12 x 185D, 9 x 185EAndrade 1982, Page 195

;{{flag|South Vietnam}}

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

;{{THA}}

• Royal Thai Army Aviation U-17BAndrade 1982, Page 224
• Royal Thai Navy{{citation|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/thailand/thl.html|title=World Air Forces – Historical Listings Thailand (THL)|access-date=30 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125054737/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/thailand/thl.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}}

;{{TUR}}

• Turkish Army Aviation U-17BAndrade 1982, Page 229

;{{URU}}

• Uruguayan Air Force 12 x U-17AAndrade 1982, Page 335

• 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.{{cite web|title=The Devil in the Details, and the Seat Rails...|url=http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/N95KW-Cessna-Seat-Rails-1989.htm|publisher=Check-Six.com|access-date=21 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816091526/http://check-six.com/Crash_Sites/N95KW-Cessna-Seat-Rails-1989.htm|archive-date=16 August 2013|url-status=live}} This accident also brought about a series of airworthiness directives that affected all small Cessnas ever built.

File:Cessna U-17A 3-view line drawing.png

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=CessnaCessna Aircraft Company: 1978 Cessna Skywagons 180 & 185, page 11. Cessna Aircraft, Wichita, Kansas 1978. SPA 78009-15

|prime units?=kts

|genhide=

|crew=one

|capacity=five passengers

|length m=

|length ft=25

|length in=9

|span m=

|span ft=35

|span in=10

|height m=

|height ft=7

|height in=9

|wing area sqm=

|wing area sqft=174

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=1748

|gross weight kg=

|gross weight lb=3350

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Continental IO-520-D

|eng1 type=

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=300

|eng1 kn=

|eng1 lbf=

|eng1 kn-ab=

|eng1 lbf-ab=

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=constant speed

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=6

|prop dia in=10

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=

|max speed mph=

|max speed kts=155

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed mph=

|cruise speed kts=145

|stall speed kmh=

|stall speed mph=

|stall speed kts=49

|range km=

|range miles=

|range nmi=720

|ceiling m=

|ceiling ft=17150

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=1010

|wing loading lb/sqft=19.3

|more performance=

|avionics=

}}

{{aircontent|

|related=

• Cessna 180

|similar aircraft=

|lists=

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

• 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.
• {{cite magazine|last=Niccoli|first=Riccardo|title=Portuguese Numerology: Serial systems used by the Aeronautica Militar and the Força Aerea Portuguesa|magazine=Air Enthusiast |issue=75|date=May–June 1998|pages=33–45|issn=0143-5450}}

{{Commons category-inline|Cessna 185}}

{{Cessna 140 family}}

{{Cessna}}

{{US utility aircraft}}

{{FAB aircraft designations}}

{{Authority control}}

185

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