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.

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 Continental IO-470-F engine with six seats and a gross weight of 3200 lb 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.


 * Introduced for the 1966 model year with an increased gross weight of 3300 lb. The A185E was also offered in 1966 with a 300 hp Continental IO-520-D engine and a gross weight of 3350 lb.  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 gal 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).
 * Introduced for the 1966 model year with an increased gross weight of 3300 lb. The A185E was also offered in 1966 with a 300 hp Continental IO-520-D engine and a gross weight of 3350 lb.  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 gal 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).


 * 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).
 * 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.

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.


 * Argentine Army Aviation
 * Bolivian Air Force 7 x A185E, 8 x A185F * 5 x U-17A
 * Guardia Civil 3 x U-17A
 * Ecuadorian Army 2 x 185D
 * Hellenic Army 9+ x U-17A
 * Honduran Air Force received a Cessna 185B in 1962, a U-17A in 1963 and a 185D in 1965.
 * Indonesian Air Force
 * Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force 185A – no longer in service
 * Islamic Revolutionary Army Aviation 185A – no longer in service
 * Israel Air Force 185
 * Jamaica Defence Force – 4 x 185 from 1963 to 1985
 * Flag of Laos (1952-1975).svg Laos
 * Royal Lao Air Force – U-17s used as reconnaissance and observation aircraft for Nokateng Forward Air Controllers during the Laotian Civil War
 * Nicaraguan Air Force 3 x U-17B
 * Panamanian Public Forces 3 x U-17A
 * Paraguayan Air Force 5 x U-17A
 * Peruvian Air Force 9 x 185
 * $\phi$
 * Philippine Air Force 8 x U-17A, 9 x U-17B
 * 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.
 * Air Force of El Salvador 1 x 185
 * 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.
 * Royal Thai Army Aviation U-17B
 * Royal Thai Navy
 * Turkish Army Aviation U-17B
 * Uruguayan Air Force 12 x U-17A
 * Peruvian Air Force 9 x 185
 * $\phi$
 * Philippine Air Force 8 x U-17A, 9 x U-17B
 * 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.
 * Air Force of El Salvador 1 x 185
 * 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.
 * Royal Thai Army Aviation U-17B
 * Royal Thai Navy
 * Turkish Army Aviation U-17B
 * Uruguayan Air Force 12 x U-17A
 * Royal Thai Army Aviation U-17B
 * Royal Thai Navy
 * Turkish Army Aviation U-17B
 * Uruguayan Air Force 12 x U-17A
 * Uruguayan Air Force 12 x U-17A
 * 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.