N900JB 1981 185 Skywagon CE-A185F Floatplane Ser ...
CESSNA 185 · Weight And Balance
Overview
This document serves as a Weight & Balance reference for the Cessna 185F Skywagon, specifically for the 1981 model. It provides essential information regarding the aircraft's performance, limitations, and operational procedures. The document is intended for pilots and aviation enthusiasts who require detailed specifications for safe and efficient flight operations. Key data includes weight limits, fuel capacity, and performance metrics for takeoff and landing, as well as guidance on weight distribution and cargo loading.
- Max Weight: 3,320 lbs
- Useful Load: 1,334 lbs
- Fuel Capacity: 88 gallons (84 usable)
- Takeoff Distance (max weight): 1,510 ft
- Best Glide Speed (max weight): 75 KIAS
- Stall Speed (flaps 0, aft CG): 55 KIAS
- Max Passenger Load (full fuel): 806 lbs
Document
Source
Originally published by static1.squarespace.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Weight And Balance
- Year
- 1981
- Pages
- 2
- File size
- 522 KB
- Publisher
- static1.squarespace.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Engine (hp)
- 300
- Propeller
- Hartzell 80´ 3blade
- Engine model
- Continental IO-520D
- Fuel capacity (gal)
- 84
- Max takeoff weight (lb)
- 3,320
Performance
- Fuel burn (gph)
- 16
- Landing over 50ft
- 845
- Max crosswind (kt)
- 13
- Takeoff over 50ft
- 1,510
- Landing distance (ft)
- 845
- Takeoff distance (ft)
- 1,510
- Best glide speed (kt)
- 75
- Stall speed clean (kt)
- 55
- Stall speed landing (kt)
- 50
V-speeds
- VR
- 70
- VX
- 63
- VY
- 83
- VS1
- 55
- VSO
- 50
Weight & balance
- Useful load (lb)
- 1,334
- Baggage allowance (lb)
- 120
- Max takeoff weight (lb)
- 3,320
Common. Rarer than 1% of the aircraft models we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the CESSNA 185.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
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In this document
Weight Limitations
The maximum weight for the Cessna 185F Skywagon is 3,320 lbs. The useful load is 1,334 lbs, with a maximum passenger load of 806 lbs when full fuel is taken into account. The baggage area has specific limits: 120 lbs for Area 1 and 50 lbs for Area 2.
Fuel Capacity and Planning
The aircraft has a total fuel capacity of 88 gallons, with 4 gallons considered unusable, resulting in 84 gallons of usable fuel. For training purposes, fuel consumption is approximately 16 gallons per hour when flying below 1,500 feet.
Performance Metrics
Takeoff distance at maximum weight (3,320 lbs) is 1,510 feet at sea level and 68°F, with a landing distance of 845 feet under the same conditions. The best glide speed at maximum weight is 75 KIAS.
Stall Speeds
Stall speeds vary based on center of gravity (CG) and flap settings. For an aft CG with flaps at 0°, the stall speed is 55 KIAS, while with flaps at 20°, it is 50 KIAS. For a forward CG, the stall speeds are 57 KIAS and 52 KIAS respectively.
Operational Procedures
The document outlines specific operational procedures for takeoff and landing, including configurations for normal and rough water takeoffs. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a proper pitch attitude during takeoff and landing phases.
Safety notes
- Avoid slips with flaps extended.
- Be prepared to add power if flare is high during landing.
Full document text
N900JB 1981 185 Skywagon CE-A185F Floatplane Ser. # 18504188 ENGINE: Continental IO-520D Oil: 9-12 qts, 9-10 Normal local flights 300BHP @ 2850, 5min. limit 285BHP@2700, Unlimited PROP: Hartzell 80´ 3blade (by STC) FLOATS: PK 3000 FUEL: ³Bladder extended range´ supplement 88 Gal/ 4 unuseable = 84 Useable 44 Gal per tank/ 34.5 reduced fuel to filler neck. Fuel Planning: Approx 16 Gal/Hr for training below 1500¶ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 28 VDC, 24V Battery, 60 Amp alternator, Primary Bus & Avionics Bus Ammeter: shows charge to batterty, or discharge to systems Alt/regulator, High& Low Voltage Control Unit: shuts down alternator if overvoltage condition red light indicates system voltage is low. Can be reset by recycling master switch. Test by disabling alternator (master switch) & loading with landing light. STANDARD AVIONICS: Engine driven vacuum pump Stall warn: pneumatic type LIMITATIONS: Max Weight 3320 lbs POH numbers: JBros. num- bers: Max Dock Wt. 3332lbs Max Dock Wt. 3332lbs Useful Load 1334lbs Max Pax Load, full fuel 806 lbs 700lbs max. Bag. Area 1 120 lbs Bag. area 2 50 lbs Normal Climb 70Kias 80Kias Max Perf Climb, Flaps 20, @50¶ 63Kias Vy sea level: 83Kias Vx sea level: 63Kias Max demonstrated Xwind: 13 Kias ?!? No way! Stall Speeds: Aft CG. Flaps 0: 55Kias Flaps 20: 50Kias FWD CG: Flaps 0: 57Kias Flaps 20: 52Kias *Note: Avoid slips with flaps extended Water Rudder System: PK 3050A (Amphibious) N900JB 1981 Cessna 185F Skywagon Amphib Ser. # 18504188 Performance: Takeoff Distance: 3320lbs (68F/20C, Sea Level) = 1510¶, 2235 W/ 50¶ Obst. 3000lbs (68F/20C, Sea Level) = 1060¶, 1620 W/ 50¶ Obst. Landing Distance: 3320lbs (68F/20C, Sea Level) = 845¶, 1590 W/ 50¶ Obst. Weight & Balance: Max Cargo; 200PSF, 120lbs Max in Bag. Area 1, 50lbs in Bag area 2 Best Glide: Max 3,320lbs =75KIAS, Min. 2,320lbs = 63KIAS (use 80KIAS in pattern E.out for additional energy on flare) Glide Range: 2000¶AGL => 2.25 NM, 1000¶AGL => 1NM Jones Brothers Profiles: Normal T.O. = FTCARS, Rudders up, 20° Flaps, 2 rises then push fwd. for nearly level Step/ TO attitude, Liftoff & control pitch to accelerate toward 80KIAS while configuring, keeping eyes outside the cockpit: Flaps 10°, reduce Power to approx.26´ MP, Flaps 0°, dial Prop to 2500rpm, then fine tune power to 24 Squared. Level at 500¶ AGL and set 23 squared for cruise. Normal Landing = Approx. 21´ MP to slow to flap speed, study wind and landing area. Keep eyes outside as much as possible and don¶t fixate while configuring (approximate settings, then fine tune as needed). Abeam intended touchdown set 10° Flaps, start base & reduce MP by 5´ and lower nose for 700fpm rate down, turn base leg and set 20° Flaps, trim for 70KIAS in descent with steep ( 5-6°) glide path, study touchdown area again on base leg, turn final at 200¶AGL or higher with glide path steep enough to see everything over the cowl (swimmers, kayakers, water debris, boats, -everything). Push prop control in for max rpm when power is low, preparing for possible go-around. At 50¶ begin slow transition and at 20¶ begin flare with normal slight addition of power for smooth touch- down with the nose raised to at least level pitch, - or slightly higher. FLY the plane down to 2¶ above water Be prepared to add power if flare is high, and always anticipate more back pressure on contact with water. Note: Extra speed or sink rate will increase the normal sudden drag on floats and cause even more sudden nose pitch-down on touch down. Do not let the nose pitch down on contact with the water! Power all the way to idle and full back ele- vator to slow to idle taxi. If performing a touch and go, smoothly bring power back in to maximum. while maintin- ing outside scan and holding T.O. pitch attitude. Rough Water T.O. = FTCARS, Rudders up, 30° Flaps, Liftoff early in slightly nose high step pitch attitude as soon as possible (approx. 36 KIAS!), then fly in ground effect (12´ off water), accelerating to white arc speed then reduce to Flaps 20 ° and continue on like a normal T.O. : Flaps 10°, reduce Power to 26´MP, Flaps 0°, reduce Prop to 2500rpm. Level at 500¶ AGL and set 23squared for cruise.
What's in the CESSNA 185 TCDS
A Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) is the FAA's record of what an aircraft type was approved as. It is the source of truth for weights, seating, fuel and the rules the design was certified against. Expand any line to see what it means.
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