Cessna 185 Skywagon

Single Piston

The Cessna 185 Skywagon is one of general aviation's most capable and beloved utility aircraft, purpose-built for backcountry operations where paved runways are a luxury and payload capacity matters more than speed. Introduced in 1961 as a more powerful evolution of the Cessna 180, the 185 paired a 300-horsepower Continental IO-520 engine with rugged conventional landing gear, oversized tires, and a reinforced airframe designed to handle rough strips, floats, and skis with equal aplomb. Production ran until 1985, yielding over 4,400 airframes that remain workhorses across Alaska, Canada, and remote regions worldwide. The Skywagon's defining trait is its exceptional useful load—typically 1,400 to 1,500 pounds depending on configuration—allowing it to haul passengers, cargo, or a combination into places larger aircraft cannot reach. Its high-wing design provides excellent visibility and ground clearance, while the tailwheel configuration and robust gear absorb the punishment of gravel bars, tundra, and improvised airstrips. Cruise speed is modest at around 145 knots, but operators prize reliability and versatility over velocity. The 185 excels on floats, where its power-to-weight ratio and short-field performance make it a favorite for remote lodges, fishing camps, and search-and-rescue missions. Decades after the last factory-built example rolled off the line, the type remains in high demand, with well-maintained airframes commanding premium prices and a thriving aftermarket supporting everything from STOL modifications to modern avionics upgrades. SkyMeter has tracked 1 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with FERRETTI JAMES L III the largest observed operator.