Cessna 180 Skywagon

Cessna · United States · first flew 1952 · light aircraft

The Cessna 180 Skywagon is a four-seat, single-engine high-wing utility aircraft prized for its performance from unprepared strips. It became a staple of bush operators and private owners seeking more capability than the Cessna 170 it evolved from.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.85 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

High-wing taildragger with large cargo door
Strutted wings and fixed undercarriage
Robust bush-flying utility airframe

Distinguished from the similar 172 by its conventional (taildragger) undercarriage and more powerful engine cowling. The high wing with parallel lift struts and a prominent cargo door on the rear fuselage are key identifiers.

Specifications

The Cessna 180 Skywagon has a length of 7.85 m (26 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.92 m (36 ft).
Its maximum speed is 274 km/h (170 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot + 3 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1952, the 180 was developed as a more powerful companion to the 170, using a Continental O-470 engine. Production ran until 1981 with over 6,000 examples built. Its taildragger configuration and robust construction made it popular in remote areas of Alaska, Canada, and Australia.

Variants

The 180 spawned the Cessna 185 Skywagon with a larger engine and greater payload. Float and ski variants were widely used by bush operators.

Where you'll see it

Widely used by private owners, flight training organisations, and utility operators worldwide; particularly prominent in Alaskan bush flying and remote-area operations in Canada and Australia.

Related aircraft

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