Cessna 180 Skywagon Model Guide
Cessna 180 Skywagon · Model Guide
Overview
The Cessna 180 Skywagon is a four-seat, high-wing, tailwheel piston single built from 1953 to 1981. The first examples had a 225/230 hp Continental engine, a 36-foot wing and large flaps that gave a 54-knot stall. It is valued for short-field and bush work rather than speed, with a realistic cruise of about 135 knots.
- Built 1953-1981 as a four-seat tailwheel utility airplane, prized for short takeoffs and rough strips rather than speed (about 135 knots cruise).
- Low-time examples sold for $60,000 to $110,000 in 2009. The dealer rule of thumb is to add $10,000 to the model year (a 1970 would be about $80,000).
- There are 94 supplemental type certificates for the 180, so many used airplanes are heavily modified. Check the paperwork for every modification.
- Insurance: the best rates need 250 hours total, 50 tailwheel and 25 in make and model. Otherwise quotes can run up to 75 percent higher.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 50 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Wingspan (ft) ·
- 36
- Fuel capacity early (gal) ·
- 60
- Fuel capacity long range (gal) ·
- 79
Performance
- Range (nm) ·
- 300
- Fuel burn (gph) ·
- 13
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 135
- Landing roll (ft) ·
- 450
- Takeoff distance (ft) ·
- 610
- Stall speed flaps down (kt) ·
- 54
Weight & balance
- Cg aft limit (in) ·
- 43.9
- Cg light weight (lb) ·
- 2,125
- Float baggage each (lb) ·
- 100
- Cg forward limit light (in) ·
- 35
- Float max ramp weight (lb) ·
- 2,975
- Float max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,950
- Cg forward limit max weight (in) ·
- 40
How many seats does the Cessna 180 Skywagon have?
The Cessna 180 Skywagon is a four-seat airplane. It was approved for six people in three pairs if the weight was properly distributed. That eliminated the baggage compartment and greatly reduced allowable fuel, so most are used as four seats plus baggage.
What does a Cessna 180 Skywagon cost?
In 2009 a dealer put low-time Cessna 180 Skywagons at $60,000 to $110,000. Their rule of thumb was to add $10,000 to the model year. Insurance for a $75,000 180 was quoted at $2,200 a year, against $1,293 for a comparable 172.
What engine does the Cessna 180 Skywagon use?
The Cessna 180 Skywagon originally came with the 230-horsepower Continental O-470. The Cessna 185 step-up model offered an additional 55 hp. Modified engines exist under STCs, so confirm what is installed.
What is the Cessna 180 Skywagon Model Guide?
The Cessna 180 Skywagon Model Guide is a model guide for the Cessna 180 Skywagon, dated 2026.
What year was the Cessna 180 Skywagon Model Guide published?
The Cessna 180 Skywagon Model Guide — the Cessna 180 Skywagon model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Cessna 180 Skywagon.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More Cessna 180 Skywagonmanuals & documents
- Wipline® 3000 FloatsAvionics Manual
- SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE SA02821Supplemental Type Certificate
- Cessna 180 Supplemental Type CertificateSupplemental Type Certificate
- AAIB Bulletin No: 2/2004Service Bulletins
- Supplemental Airplane Flight ManualPilot's Operating Handbook
- Cessna 180: SkywagonAvionics Manual
In this document
Performance and range
Original 180 figures quoted: 610 ft takeoff distance, 450 ft landing run, 54-knot stall with flaps. Early tanks held 60 gallons. Later airplanes were typically fitted with 79-gallon long-range tanks. At 13 gallons per hour, out-and-back range at max cruise is just over 300 nm.
Floats, skis and weights
Floats and skis cost payload. Wipline 3000 float data lists gross weight at 2,850 lbs for the 180 to 180F and 2,950 lbs for the 180G to 180K. Kenmore STC SA649NW raises gross weight up to 3,190 lbs. Aerocet 3400 amphibian floats on the 180J-K allow 100 lbs in each float locker.
What to check when buying
Ask which STCs are installed, especially engine, engine mount and tail changes. One owner reported that adding horsepower without a stronger horizontal stabilizer brings cracking, and that early door latches were inadequate. A dealer reports no major ADs, only minor engine and cigarette-lighter fuse ADs.
Safety notes
- Amphibian floats: do not land on water unless the gear is fully retracted. Takeoff with a known hull leak or structural damage is prohibited.
- On floats or amphibians, retract flaps to 20° immediately after applying power for a balked landing, and avoid slips with flaps extended.
- It is a tailwheel airplane. One owner's seat slipped back on takeoff and caused a ground loop, so check the seat latches.
Full document text
Cessna 180 Skywagon Model Guide The Cessna 180 Skywagon is a four-seat, high-wing, tailwheel piston single built from 1953 to 1981. The first examples had a 225/230 hp Continental engine, a 36-foot wing and large flaps that gave a 54-knot stall. It is valued for short-field and bush work rather than speed, with a realistic cruise of about 135 knots. • Built 1953-1981 as a four-seat tailwheel utility airplane, prized for short takeoffs and rough strips rather than speed (about 135 knots cruise). • Low-time examples sold for $60,000 to $110,000 in 2009. The dealer rule of thumb is to add $10,000 to the model year (a 1970 would be about $80,000). • There are 94 supplemental type certificates for the 180, so many used airplanes are heavily modified. Check the paperwork for every modification. • Insurance: the best rates need 250 hours total, 50 tailwheel and 25 in make and model. Otherwise quotes can run up to 75 percent higher. Performance and range Original 180 figures quoted: 610 ft takeoff distance, 450 ft landing run, 54-knot stall with flaps. Early tanks held 60 gallons. Later airplanes were typically fitted with 79-gallon long-range tanks. At 13 gallons per hour, out-and-back range at max cruise is just over 300 nm. Floats, skis and weights Floats and skis cost payload. Wipline 3000 float data lists gross weight at 2,850 lbs for the 180 to 180F and 2,950 lbs for the 180G to 180K. Kenmore STC SA649NW raises gross weight up to 3,190 lbs. Aerocet 3400 amphibian floats on the 180J-K allow 100 lbs in each float locker. What to check when buying Ask which STCs are installed, especially engine, engine mount and tail changes. One owner reported that adding horsepower without a stronger horizontal stabilizer brings cracking, and that early door latches were inadequate. A dealer reports no major ADs, only minor engine and cigarette-lighter fuse ADs. Safety notes: • Amphibian floats: do not land on water unless the gear is fully retracted. Takeoff with a known hull leak or structural damage is prohibited. • On floats or amphibians, retract flaps to 20° immediately after applying power for a balked landing, and avoid slips with flaps extended. • It is a tailwheel airplane. One owner's seat slipped back on takeoff and caused a ground loop, so check the seat latches.