What is it about the C180/185
 

Looking at some of the PNG threads, the C180/185 keeps popping up and after looking at the photos I'm of the opinion that the series was the best looking Cessnas made.

Probably IMHO the best looking aircraft series ever.

The aircraft has a presence that few others seem to have

Do others agree, disagree and why.



http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac...cl/VH-FIE1.jpg

Zeebee
It was a joy to fly, but at the same time there was always reminders that if you let your concentration lapse, or start to take it for granted it would bite hard. It was both a lion and pussycat.
Flown with skill it would take good loads in and out of marginal strips.

ZeeBee,
Big heaps of horses in a light airframe.
185.

Yep, thanks for the inputs.

Having flown both, I fully agree with the sentiments, they fly like a big Cessna single, but there's always the anticipation of the interesting times ahead when you've gotta land them.
I got reasonably OK at parking them but there was still the odd landing that had the fire-tenders on their way out.

However, I was more interested in why they look so good.
I mean, they're the same fuselage as the 182 (early series) but somehow they look light years ahead of any of the Cessna singles.
Even the lovely little 170B never quite had the charisma.

ZeeBee,
I just think the proportions are right. They look even better in the air.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/cwhlakedunn.JPG
I am biased of course.
180 at YBCV the other day.
http://www.skywagon.info/webshots/wcvweb.JPG

Probably best to put these up on the More photos site.

Why do we love them?

Because they reward careful handling with superior performance. Plus they put d!ckheads in their place fairly smartly. :rolleyes:

Chimbu
 

Well put :D:D
Couldn't have said it any better.

Chimbu......you ready to test that theory?.........I may regret this :uhoh:

Ohhhh and courtesy of our resident 185 guru! crank up the volume and enjoy!! :)

They are hard enough to fly that when 'mastered' there is a VERY real (and temporary) sense of accomplishment but they don't present impossible hurdles - They reward a skilled touch with fantastic performance and give the odd love bit when you're having an off day - and they will eat a hamfisted moron alive.

They are an aircraft that demands to be loved or left alone - if you don't love the aircraft unquestioningly then walk away and don't bother further or you will end up hating it/afraid of it.

My first job was flying P2-BAF, a 1963 A that had been converted to an F by MAF in the 70s. She was a bit tatty around the edges, had a barrel DG and ground pointer A/H, 1 VHF and a HF and not a lot more. When I saw her the first time at Chimbu the hair stood up on the back of my neck - what a purposeful stance - when I flew her the first time I was love struck - even though my first landing could best be described as mediocre. When I walked away from her that first time and looked back it was almost as if she was smiling at me and thinking to herself "I will teach you to fly and then we will have LOTS of fun adventures together".

And she did - but every once in a while she would give a firm, if playful, slap when she thought I wasn't paying close enough attention :ok:

After near 20 years spending time at airports, it has only recently that I have 're-discovered the beauty of the tail dragger. Of all the cessna's the 180/185 have been the more commonly familar around Oz, but I have to say that the 195/196 is the best of the dragers, the Radial engine just top's it off.

Tried to post a picture, but I've yet to master the skill.

Sorry.:sad:

Have owned a very nice Cessna 180 Sportsman complete with wheel spats, unfortunately it was a 1/48th scale Monogram model.

Man's aeroplane, had a few rides in the C180/185 over the years and a few flies from the right hand seat.

Zeebee that photo is great photo with lot's of history

Now you really will get Chuckles all fired up......... watch this space!:ok:

Better than that Jabawocky somebody e-mailed me a photo of a C195 modified with a PT-6 for parachute dropping in South America.

I can't get enough of the 185. If you fly it well, then it is an absolute joy. One of my all time favorites!

The 180/185 have got the small wheel on the right end:)
My first was DFO from memory at Cudal endorsed by one Nigel Johnson followed by 25 years of various 180/185's luvin' every minute but at times pinchin' the buttons off the seat. Wouldn't change a thing:ok:

Frothy

My dad got quite excited when he saw that first photo as it brought back memories of his SPL training days. Who else knows where this photo was taken?

ZEEBEE, you got to admit you're not being completely honest here. Remember "Silver City Air Taxis"? The 180 (RFD, RFE, RFF) was the first after Auster KBH. Was there any comparison? You got the needle (inoculation) early in life. ;)

Would you believe that once-upon-a-time, (back in the 60's), DCA, (the grandparent of CASA), had the endorsements for C180 and C185 grouped with C182? True. And many innocent souls received the chastening of their flying career when they were invited to use their extensive 182 experience on a taildragger.

Happened to me on 6th December,1963, when I fronted up to the then Aero Club of Papua at Jacksons, and did some dual with Maurie(?) Butler. Made the towers' day to see VH-KER, (a C180A), heading off into the grass with regularity. Not surprising, as I had 68 hrs TT, and had yet to really appreciate the wonders of rudder. I came back to complete my 'conversion' with Ross Smith, in the same aircraft, in Feb 1964. My next step was a C185, VH-STP, and that wasn't until I had a CPL and 200 hrs in November,1965.

Now, after many years of pleasurable flying both 180's and 185's, and owning a 180, I realise that they are a real challenge, and I look forward to endorsements as a way to pass on some of the skills needed to fly them safely.

happy days,

Was hooked on aviation by the Mount Cook Airlines 185s on skis way back in the seventies when living there (Mt Cook). Was about 2 1/2 years old. First flight ever was in a 185 aged about three, still remember to this day!

Have flown both in my career, early model ones are the best, power to weight ratio better as they are made of lighter aluminium.

They perform well, look cool, sound great and teach pilots what to do with their feet!

Would really like to have one of my own.

We need a few more pics of 180s and 185s on this thread.

First pic taken possibly Moorabbin in late 60's. Presumably Flinders Island Airlines B18 VH-FID parked behind. Certainly FIE later became another B18 and I think was the one restored for the Herald paper runs through country Victoria in mid to late 70's.

By the time I get through all the sign in bull**** these days I almost forget what it was I wanted to post.......
Oh yeah..pretty pretty...

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac...0%28999%29.JPG

And a worker

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac2/NZBA/ZK-BEH2.jpg

I first flew the 185 (had the pod and leg extensions) as a new CPL and fell in love with it at the first flight. Had many hours in the 188 Agwagon and love that bucket too. in my opinion, they fly almost identically, and from what I am lead to believe, they share the same wing, so I guess they would feel the same to fly. great load hauler and has good manners.

Did they get their $250k for this?
Im not even sure it was GKE however the paint was pretty right

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y15...H-GKELarge.jpg

Corkey spare us the retired airline pilots wank-toys :rolleyes:http://www.augk18.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/laughinggr.gif

Parrow200, spot on with your recognition and Beech 18 comments. Anyone remember the other classic a/c that used to park there?

Corkey - Glad to see Sarge and mine efforts at Alabaster were not wasted -even though it didn't rate a mention in the NZ CPA news letter:(:ok:

Does this mean I have ta post links to those vids again?

P2-AWM was the first aeroplane I ever owned - a 1961 C185.

http://www.fototime.com/{69C16792-E0...0of%20AWM2.jpg

Fella on the left is Tommy Emmanuel who I met at a Jazz festival in Moresby - he asked what I did in PNG - told him - turns out his Dad was a pilot in PNG in WW2 and was shot down (survived wounded) near Kokoda Gap - I suggested he might like to come for a fly along the Kokoda trail - we landed at Manari, Efogi and Kokoda - he met lots of villagers (he couldn't quite comprehend that they were SDA and music was against their religion) and we walked along the trail for an hour or so at each place. To say it blew him away would be a GROSS understatement, we have been friends ever since. fella on the right posts here as Taildragger and, until recently owned a beautiful 1956 C180 that now resides near Wanaka, ZK- TSM.

http://www.fototime.com/{5E56A1F8-EE...igpict/Awm.jpg

ZK-TSM when I was flying it from time to time on LHR layovers - before Taildragger sold it:{

http://www.fototime.com/{A1B67185-3D...ict/G-BTSM.jpg

I have almost forgiven you Taildragger:suspect:

Certainly not wasted at all :D

I believe it does :ok:

Its great to see all these pictures of the 180/185. Almost got 100 hours on them now and hopefully many more!

Corky it took HOURS with Sarge's busted arse Briggs and Stratton with 4 wheels pointing in 5 directions and a garden variety whipper snipper:ok:

This is what it looked like when WE landed.

I would LOVE to find a job in a 180/185 once my training is done. It has to be the tail wheel that makes it so attractive, coupled with the 225-300 horses and it just looks like it means business.

A shame commercial operational ones seem pretty rare from what I've seen

Love em
 

First job flying pax out of remote stations in the Kimberly.
VH-AGF the lizard machine, now retired in leongatha.
Everyone had mcir and twin endo,s with 200 hrs, i had a tailwhel endo and an ag rating. Got the job.
Too all the shirt lifters - I WON:D
Great old girl, just like mine unforgiving if you treat it rough, or forget a birthday, anniversary, when her nexit beauticians appointment is.
Landings not over till she,s tied down, the keys are in the office and your enjoying a cold one.
Get the point.
A pleasure to fly.
Multi

Guilty as charged, Brian :E....but in my defense they are a lovely looking aircraft, and whilst I have a soft spot for the Auster, the 180 was a spaceship in comparison.

They even look terrific married to floats..and that's saying something.

Bit of a long bow to draw isn't it? They may not have heard of Tommy Emmanuel, but music is certainly part of their life.

Great story though. What a claim to fame and a great way to form a friendship! It's a wonder his Dad survived. Imagine if he didn't - we wouldn't have Tommy's great music today... Probably one of the greatest guitar players Australia has produced.

Could partly be because there's so few pilots that can keep them the right way up.

Take poor old KPA as a case in point.....ground looped, written off and then resurrected five times in it's life. On one occasion it lasted no more than six days after a complete rebuild.

http://www.fototime.com/4C781ED4A7BFBD9/standard.jpg
(VH-SDA, C180, now in the Seventh Day Adventist Church museum in NSW)

Oh dear! Now I am doing it.

Dr :8

http://www.fototime.com/6C0A061E537BE88/standard.jpg
(VH-KGT, now in UnZud)

No he wasn't worried/surprised they had no idea who he was but he asked them about their music and they indicated they were not allowed music on religious grounds - I have no idea if that is widespread along the length of the Kokoda Trail but it was at whichever village it was - thinking on it might have been Kagi.

He is a great guy - very humble and funny fella - lives in the states now so haven't caught up in ages.

May have been a bit of a misunderstanding on their part. It's certainly not a widespread SDA view anyway. I met plenty who were involved and loved music when I was up there.

So I guess if Tommy is in the great US of A that would explain why we haven't seen a lot of new material from him lately?

Ah, old KPA. last time I saw her, she was in the red and white scheme. I heard she had seen a few rebuilds due to bad foot work.

Yeah Wiz...It did indeed, though one of them was just bad luck, a wheel casting fractured at Kalgoorlie.....back to the building board! :uhoh:

Crosswind kit made for some interesting footwork till you got used to it.
VH FDO I think.