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 Continental IO-520-D engine as opposed to the 230 hp Continental O-470-S fitted to the Cessna 180. The exception was that a Continental Motors IO-470-F engine of 260 hp 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.

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
;185A Skywagon
;185B Skywagon
;185C Skywagon
;185D Skywagon

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.
; Laos

Accidents and incidents