The term working airplane has an unmistakable connotation. Theyre the workhorses of the GA fleet, doing yeomans service in hauling freight, towing gliders and banners and spraying crops.
Most manufacturers have a working airplane or two in their model line-ups but Cessna has been especially successful in the piston single realm with the 180, 185 and 206/207, each of which has carved its own market niche.Among that distinguished group, the Cessna 185 is perhaps unique for its reputation as an airborne pick-up truck easily able to haul heavy loads into and out of short, unimproved strips. And as a taildragger with plenty of power, its also a prized towplane.
History of the Line
Like most manufacturers who found success in the post-World War II GA boom, Cessnas original big sellers were tailwheel airplanes. The 185 came along in 1961, a follow-on product to the Cessna 180, which enjoyed considerable sales success. And for a taildragger in a world of trikes, the 185 held its own until 1985, the last year of production.
Outwardly, the 180 and 185 are similar, with comparable overall dimensions and major parts. The primary difference, of course, is the engine. The 180 had a 230 HP Continental which was adequate but didnt elevate it to the status of a super load hauler.
When the 185 debuted in 1961, it had a 260-HP Continental IO-470F and 84-gallon fuel tanks and could perform the rather remarkable feat of lifting more than its own weight: The useful load of 1680 pounds is about 200 pounds more than its standard empty weight, something bush operators prized.
Locked securely in the utility market, the 185 was spared some of the cosmetic improvements that some say larded up other Cessnas. It never got the swept back tail, for example, or the rear window that was added to the 172/182 line.
Instead, you could order a new 185 with Edo floats, a massive belly cargo pod that could accommodate 300 pounds or a spray application rig, to name a few options. Towing set-ups and flip-up doors for skydiving operations were also available.
Anyone who hauls stuff for a living always wants more power so in 1966, Cessna replaced the IO-470F with a 300 HP Continental IO-520D as an option. The 300 HP Skywagons are called A185s.
The bigger engine improved the 185s already exceptional performance. For a mere 10-pound increase in empty weight, the airplane gained a 100-pound increase in gross, five extra knots of cruise speed and some 200 feet was shaved off the takeoff ground roll, a boon for back-country operators. The engine was such a hit that it was made standard in 1967.
Also new that year was the addition of an aft baggage compartment, along with an optional stretcher door, both of which make loading bulky objects easier. In 1973, a new wing profile was added to the 185. The so-called camber lift wing was created by Robertson as part of a STOL kit for the Cessna line and it reduces stall speed slightly, improving roll control at low speeds. Since its a leading edge mod, Robertson can retrofit it to earlier 185s.
The re-winged 185 became the A185F, which is by far the most numerous flavor, accounting for more than half of all airframes. A185s as a group account for 74 percent of all 185s built.
More work-related options came along in 1975, including bubble side windows for photography and skylights. In 1976, flap-extension speed (Vfe) went from 96 to 120 knots and the fuel selector was changed to Cessnas all but idiot-proof left-right-both arrangement.
Lift handles were added to the tail to give ground handlers a safe means to muscle the airplane on the ramp without damaging the stab. One improvement that was a mixed blessing was the reduction in usable fuel from 81 to 74 gallons, which cut into the airplanes range.
1979 models had a new wet wing fuel system with 88 gallons, 84 of which is usable. The older bladder-style tanks were optional. While the bladders had less potential for leakage, they had other problems, as well note in the maintenance section.
Skywagons have had both two and three-blade props, with the three-blade surfacing as an option in 1978 but soon becoming standard in 1980. The three-blade can be retrofitted and although it may cost a knot or two in cruise speed, it reduces vibration and noise or at least changes the vibe signature. Climb is said to be better with the three blader.
The 185 enjoyed brisk if not spectacular production numbers until 1981, when only 389 were built. By 1984 and 1985, only 34 Skywagons were made.Although no one knew it, GA was headed for the Big Slump and the fact that the average equipped price of a new 185 nearly doubled, from $55,670 in 1979 to $108,090 in 1985 probably didnt help.
Performance, Handling
Given the performance of retracts equipped with the IO-520, the Skywagon wont set any speed records. But if youve got the cash to pay the fuel bill, its no slouch, either, and will do something many airplanes cant: Fly with full tanks and full seats.
Load a Skywagon with full fuel, four 220-pound people and perhaps 50 pounds of bags and the airplane will take off in just over 800 feet, climb at better than 1000 FPM and then fly 800 miles at 140 knots, outdistancing a handful of retracts and twins. Even at higher altitudes, the IO-520 has plenty left: Climb rates of 500 FPM at 10,000 feet are easily achieved.
But its not exactly miserly at the fuel pit. Fuel flows range around 14.5 GPH, depending on power setting so 10 nautical miles per gallon is about as good as it gets with this airplane, without some effort.
Add a set of GAMIjectors and run it lean of peak and you can improve fuel economy for a minor loss in speed. Then again, if youre being paid to haul stuff, the fuel economy isnt your chief worry.
But if gas is a concern, climb to 12,000 feet, where a power setting of 2400 RPM and 18 inches MP will yield 130 knots TAS, burning 10.8 GPH. Not bad.
In stock form, the 185 is nearly a STOL airplane. With those big barn door flaps at 40 degrees, stall speed is under 45 knots so 55-knot approach speeds are doable. Weve been told of skilled bush pilots plunking the Skywagon down in as little as 300 feet in a rough clearing or river sandbar.
As with any airplane, the technique is a high-alpha approach with flaps and power at a speed between 50 and 55 knots, followed by a full-stall three-pointer. Watch the aggressive braking, however, since the airplane can nose over with locked wheels.
Although the airplane handles well in the air, some owners say its not easy to land and wont tolerate lazy feet on the rudder, especially in crosswinds and hard pavement. Yet as taildraggers go, its not overly twitchy and the deck angle allows seeing over the nose so S-turns arent necessary.
Wheel landings, while doable, require finesse due to the 185s spring-steel landing gear legs, which will coil-up a good bounce if the touchdown on two isnt a kisser. If the pilot doesnt convert a botched wheelie into a three-pointer, loss of control may follow. Indeed, thats the typical accident the 185 is involved in, according to our review of the Cessna 185s accident history.
Most owners seem to prefer three pointers, which are aided and abetted by the locking tailwheel, which also helps in crosswinds. Just dont forget to unlock it before taxi turning, otherwise you risk tire damage.
In the air, handling of a Skywagon is similar to another Cessna product, the Skylane. Trim, unlike that on most Cessnas, is through a jackscrew in the tail rather than via a trim tab and the systems low gearing means you move the wheel a bit before noticing the effect.
Cessna didnt offer electric trim, but some autopilot installations include it and pilots who have it like it better than the manual system. Cessna never offered electric flaps in the 185, either, a real blessing in our view. Manual flaps are simply superior for ease of use-get them down or up quickly with no question of flap position. Theyre also more maintenance reliable.
Like most Cessnas, the 185 is susceptible to a trim-tab stall, which is what happens when you apply full power with flaps fully deployed. If the nose-up moment isnt dealt with with forward stick and trim, the airplanes angle of attack will exceed the stall value. Its better to apply partial power, arrest the sink, then lose the flaps before applying full climb power.
Payload, Cabin
A 185 can haul just about anything you can get into it. But if the cargo isnt dense, the volume may not be all that great compared to a Cherokee Six or Cessna 206. A Piper sales brochure once showed a piano, of all things, going into a Cherokee Six.
No way anything that large will go through the 18 by 20 inch baggage door or the two cabin doors of a 185. On the other hand, the right front door can be removed easily, as can the back seat, but that still doesnt leave much maneuvering room in the cabin for large objects.
The optional fiberglass belly pod is 9 feet long and 14 inches deep and while huge objects still cant be loaded, the pod is ideal for awkward cargo such as chainsaws, tool, skis and fishing gear. (Not to mention the smelly fish.)
Interior, Maintenance
Cessna interior photos show sixseats and the airplane was billedas a six-placer. As is typical of suchmarketing claims, thats a gross exaggeration.
Calling the third row seating is generous, except perhaps for a child. The seat is limited to 120 pounds and most owners leave it in the hangar, opening more space for baggage.
An option on later 185s was a pair of articulating seats for the front row, with adjustable height and reclining seat backs. The back on the rear seat was split and it too could recline.
The seating position is quite upright, with good head and legroom but not generous shoulder room in a cabin measuring 41 inches in width.
Cessna singles have a reputation for being maintainable if not exceptionally durable. Thats the 185 in spades. Its a derivative airplane, being based on the 180, which was, in turn, a bigger version of the 170.
Therefore, Cessna got the flaws hammered out in what was a good airplane from the beginning. Owners tell us to watch these troublespots: Tailwheel shimmy can be caused by wear of the bolt that holds the fork to the tailwheel spring. Airplanes with McCauley wheels and brakes arent as desirable as those with Clevelands, which can be retrofitted.
Mufflers tend to crack after a few hundred hours so inspect them carefully. Airplanes built before 1981 had trouble with the trim because in cruise, the jack screw needs 300 foot-pounds of torque to move.
This stresses roll pins connecting the trim wheel to the chain drive sprocket. If the pins shear, the trim is stuck. Later airplanes replaced the pins with rivets.
As Continental engines go, the O-470 and O-520 series have delivered decent service, although they dont have the robust reputation of the Lycoming large displacement engines.
We continue to hear from owners complaining about soft cylinders at a few hundred hours into a TBO run. Still, the big TCMs run much smoother than the Lycomings.
In many models, the engine installation is at the root of short engine life but that doesnt seem to be the case in the 185. It has a roomy cowl and large cowl flaps, so overheating isnt an issue, although rapid cooling might be.
Advertised TBO is 1700 hours, which is realistic if the owner is prepared to do a mid-time top overhaul. If the top isnt needed, consider it gravy.Give Cessna credit for one thing: It has delivered on parts and support, even in the lean years when no piston production was alive. If flown often and worked hard, expect to replace landing gear boxes now and again, plus tailwheel parts.
The Skywagon is a typical Cessna single, so there are plenty of mechanics around qualified to examine one for pre-purchase and to maintain it afterwards. Of particular note, however, is the possibility of corrosion if the airplane has ever been on floats, as many 185s have. Check the logs for this history. Like any corrosion, it can be expensive to repair and its likely to be there in some form on any aircraft operated on salt water.
ADs
Most of the ADs that affect the 185are of the shotgun variety and most are one-shot deals. Here are few worth noting:
AD 84-10-1, the notorious rock-n-roll AD. This one is most famous for its association with the Skylane but it also applies to the 185. Some of the Cessna bladder tanks had a diagonal wrinkle in the bottom that acted as a dam, potentially trapping water so it couldnt reach the sump where it could be easily drained.
When sampling the gas, youd get a good clean cup full but after takeoff rotation, the water would spill over the wrinkle and choke the engine after takeoff. There were a handful of accidents because of this.
The almost comical response to this called for the pilot to grab the wingtip and shove it up and down during preflight in an effort to dislodge the water and drive it toward the sump.
Passengers, were sure, love seeing this and with an amphibian on a beach or dog, forget it. A better plan is replacement fuel cells, which are available.
ADs 97-26-17 calls for ultrasonic inspection and possible replacement of the crankshaft; 96-12-22, recurrent inspection of the oil filter adapter; 86-13-4, cylinder pressure check; 91-15-4 and 82-27-2, prop inspections.Mods, Clubs
Being a bush and utility favorite, lots of mods are available for the Cessna 185, some of them also found on other Cessna singles.
STOL kits are available from Horton and Sierra; engine and prop upgrades-including the IO-550-from Bonaire and long-range fuel tanks can be bought from Flint Aero. From Tornado Alley Turbo, a turbo normalizing system will allow the 185 to operate in the flight levels.
Contact Bonaire at 217-965-3493; Horton at 800-835-2051; Sierra at 830-278-4481; Flint Aero at 619-448-1551; Tornado Alley at 580-436-4833.Prospective purchasers should join two organizations: The Cessna Pilots Association is worthwhile for anyone who owns or regularly flies Cessnas and the International 180/185 Club.
The latter is more focused on the 185 than the CPA and is worth the modest cost of dues, in our view, Cessna Pilots Association is at 805-922-2580/www.cessna.org. The International 180/185 Club is at P.O. Box 639, Castlewood, Virginia 24224, phone 540-738-8134. www.skywagons.com.
Owner Feedback
I bought a 1967 Cessna 185 in 1996 from a private owner in Vancouver. It had been delivered directly to Canada from the factory when new and therefore had no U.S. airworthiness certificate.
The seller flew the airplane to my home base in the U.S. before the ownership was transferred. Obtaining the C of A required a days work by a designated inspector, who checked the records and physically inspected the aircraft to check compliance with the manufacturers specifications.
I flew the engine another 250 hours to its 1700-hour TBO without problems, then replaced it with a factory remanufactured engine. Since the first engine had last been overhauled in 1973, it did not have the VAR crankshaft now required in the IO-520D and it had an early generation (light) crankcase.
After checking with several field overhaulers, I determined that a factory engine cost less than a field rebuild, since the factory didnt charge extra for replacing the crankshaft and crankcase with the latest versions.
While the engine was removed, I installed a late-series engine mount, with beefed-up engine isolation, designed by Cessna to cure a vibration problem associated with three-blade props. This has probably contributed to an vibration-free set-up.
An Insight six-cylinder GEM monitors individual cylinder head and exhaust gas temps, which facilitates precise leaning. To enhance engine cooling, I installed lower cowl louvers (under an STC) identical to those used in the later C182, C206 and C210 aircraft.
This modification doesnt greatly lower cylinder head temperatures but does lower the oil temperature, which rarely goes above the middle of the green.
A common C185 option is the factory float kit, which includes structural beef-ups, extensive use of zinc chromate primer and stainless steel control cables.
My aircraft had spent a fair amount of time on floats and the trip logs showed lots of flights to alpine lakes in the Canadian Rockies.
The plane also landed regularly in the Vancouver River, but the logs didnt reflect any salt water usage. The fact that the airplane had not been recently repainted made it somewhat easier to check for exterior corrosion.
My aircraft was the first serial number to have a gross weight increase to 3350 pounds and the first to have an extended baggage compartment, three-foot long area behind the removable rear cabin bulkhead where light, bulky items may be stowed.
With an empty weight of 1800 pounds, the airplane can hold a full 84 gallons of fuel (six hours of cruise flight) plus an additional half ton of passengers and cargo. This is one of the outstanding features of the Skywagon.
My airplane came equipped with an STCd three-blade McCauley propeller. The standard two-blade probably offers faster cruise performance, but the three-blade prop may climb faster.
The airplane had several additional modifications when purchased, including flap and aileron gap seals, bubble windows in the doors and Sportsman STOL wing cuffs. It has STOL performance even without the wing mod. Vx is 65 MPH at light weights and 300 HP produces over 1000 FPM in climb near sea level, thus airplane feels comfortable on unpaved strips less than 1000 feet long.
I prefer wheel landings, especially when theres a substantial crosswind. If you bounce when touching down on the mains, you can stabilize things with a touch of power before throttling back for a three-pointer. The C185 wants immediate use of the rudder and sometimes a brake if it starts to point even a little bit away from the direction you want it to go.
I purchased an Aeropod cargo pod which mounts to the belly. Its about 10 feet long, weighs 40 pounds and can hold 300 pounds. It cuts cruise speed by about 8 MPH and makes the airplane a little more susceptible to crosswinds when landing.
For six months I owned a 1955 Cessna C180 simultaneously with the C185. The C180 is lighter on the controls and less ponderous on the ground. The two handle similarly at 70 MPH landing speeds, perhaps because the C185s STOL kit provides greater lift to offset the weight advantage of the much lighter C180. The C185 is quieter, a little faster and has less engine vibration.
My C185 burns about 14 GPH full throttle at 2400 RPM at altitudes from 8000 to 10,000 feet compared to 11 GPH at 2300 RPM by the O-470 engine in the Cessna 180 under the same conditions.
Operating costs are similar to those for a Cessna 182, except for higher fuel and insurance costs and slightly more expensive engine overhauls.
However, the C185 is appreciating in value more rapidly than many other aircraft of similar vintage, sharply reducing the ultimate cost of ownership. Ive enjoyed operating it throughout Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, parts of Canada and the U.S. Its a keeper.
-Charles Curtis
Tucson, Arizona
Im chief pilot for a parachute club and weve been using C185s for 25 years. Weve put 20,000 to 30,000 hours on C185s over the last quarter century, with as many as three takeoffs and landings per hour andalmost always on a rough grass runway. This is a good honest airplane, with very few (if any) unexpected traits. Of course, its still a 300HP taildragger.
Trouble spots: We replace the gear boxes on a regular basis, maybe once every 2000 hours. This is the box structure where the landing gear ties into the fuselage.
Theres an STC for a beefier box but it damages more when it has to be replaced. Flaps are also a trouble spot for us, but only because of hard usage. Worn bushings and cracked flap brackets come to mind.
The elevator trim uses two jackscrews, which is an unusual arrangement. Weve replaced the jackscrews often.If they were lubricated regularly, they would last longer.
The electrical systems appear to have poor wiring. Were frequently having trouble with loose and corroded connections, causing batteries to go dead and various radio problems.
The airplane we still have is a 1980 version with original Cessna radios. The radios are not great, but, frankly, theyve been reliable.
Theres a tailwheel lock, which the airplane doesnt need. If you use it for landing and forget to unlock it, you get a flat tire the first time you turn. The tailwheel tire needs to be kept up to recommended pressure; otherwise, it will go flat.
The aircraft performs well. It climbs well to any reasonable altitude with a full load. Weve had it to 15,000 feet at maximum gross weight and it was still climbing well. It takes off easily at or slightly above maximum gross on the hottest day.
Landings are always short, especially if 40 degrees of flaps are used. However, it cruises slowly for such a powerful airplane.
If I wanted to use one for personal transportation, Id put a turbo in it and cruise in the flight levels.
Over the years, half of our pilots have preferred wheel landings and half have preferred three-point landings.
Our aircraft are kept light; the interiors are stripped out. When trying to learn the three-point landing, pilots have trouble accepting how slow the airplane will go and still fly.
The airplane is a little skittish on pavement in a crosswind. But notenough to be a cause of accidents, if the pilot is proficient and understands the issues. When I train a new C185 pilot, I start out on grass, because its more forgiving. Landing on pavement comes with more experience. In the air, its a pussycat. Our engines have always gotten to TBO or beyond, even with the hard usage.
Shock cooling must be a myth, because all we do is prolonged climbs with a full load and the high-speed descents (after closing the cowl flaps). We do train our pilots to make that transition slowly and gently. Well replace acylinder or two once during a run to TBO.
Eight years ago, I did a study of operating costs. At that time we were figuring $110 per hour,with commercial insurance.
Weve had a few accidents but they are such typical tailwheel type accidents that they are not worth mentioning.
-Mike McNamara
Camden, New Jersey
I have operated a Cessna A185F a total of 5755 hours since purchasing it new in 1973, more than half in forestry observation work, low and slow.
I am now retired and use it as a personal airplane all around the country. The airplane has been professionally maintained on a schedule of 50-hour checks-oil and filter change, oil analysis, brakes, batteries and so on.
It was last painted and fitted with a high quality interior by Air Mod four years ago, with their Wemac air vents, Rosen sun visors and BAS seaplane inertia-reel shoulder harnesses. It looks and feels new despite its age and service.
The Skywagon is a handsome, classic design, one of the good ole ones, as Louis Armstrong used to say about his favorite tunes. Its fairly fast, very rugged and powerful and a good load carrier with reliable systems.
It flies as good as it looks and will reward a pilot who understands it with predictable good handling throughout all phases of flight, including takeoffs and landings. We use 20 degrees of flaps and lock the tailwheel-it has 24 degrees of steering either side of center-for takeoff. The flaps keep the airplane from loping along on the spring-steel gear when the tail comes up and it will fly off cleanly after a short run.
Full flaps-40 degrees-and a locked tailwheel are used for all landings. My personal crosswind limit is a 20-knot component. The airplane prefers three-point landings with the flaps retracted on touchdown and my experience with this technique is that its more predictable and safe than a wheel landing.Over the years, the airplane has benefited from these upgrades:
Metal instrument panel
Heavy engine mount required for the three-blade prop
12-volt electrical system changed to 24-volt with a 95 amp alternator
Monarch long-range tanks and caps
P. Ponk gear mod
Continental IO-550D engine with Hartzell three-blade prop
I like this engine/prop combination very much. Its smooth, quiet and provides good altitude performance for airways flying throughout the Rockies without the complexities of turbocharging. It runs cool and I see a TAS of 159 knots at altitude in standard air.
GAMIjectors even out the fuel flow and seem to be a good investment. Used with an Insight engine monitor and fuel-flow information from a Shadin air data box, they save me enough fuel to pay for themselves in a year.
We run 50 degrees rich-of-peak and average 14 GPH at 65 percent power. My original 550 ran 25 hours before Continental found a problem during the first oil change and replaced the entire engine.
This started the big cylinder mess caused by an improper phosphate treatment and their excellent shop at Fairhope, Alabama was entirely pleasant and helpful to deal with during the event and subsequently.
I fly a lot of instruments and consider the 185 to be a professional airplane in all respects. Its the airplane of choice by bush pilots and all over the world, the state bird of Alaska, at home landing on glacier and in swamps, on skis, floats and a working military aircraft as the U-17 in various foreign air forces.
Our total owning and operating costs run a little more that $150 per hour. Maintenance and parts are readily available but expensive. What else is new in aviation? I wish Cessna had made the cabin 4 inches winder like they did in the 182. This is my only complaint.
The 185 is my pick, along with the Bonanza and Baron, as one of the three best flying, safest and most reliable small airplanes.
-Floyd McGowin Jr.
Chapman, Alabama
Also With This Article
Click here to view charts for Price Comparison, Resale Value and Payload.
Click here to view “Skywagon Accidents: Groundloops and Gear Failures.”
