Cessna 180

Cessna ads proclaimed 1953 as the "Golden Year of Flying" (50 years since the Wright brothers made their first flight). Amidst all the fanfare, a new model was proudly introduced, called the 180.

Basically a beefed-up 170 with 80 more horses, it was an exciting new airplane from the nose’s new spinner to the new square tail. The 180 was originally heralded by Cessna's marketing folks as "the businessman's airplane," but the airplane quickly gained a reputation for solid dependability and utility in the back country. Over the years, Cessna built 6,193 of them.

Production of the 180 began in 1953 and lasted until 1981. With a square tail, paralift flaps, spring steel landing gear, steerable tailwheel, and all-metal construction, Cessna 180 airplanes all look the same from the outside. The most significant changes over the years were in gross weight and engine. Gross weight increased from 2,550 pounds to 2,800 pounds, and the original Continental O-470-A 225-hp engine was upgraded over time to the Continental O-470-R 230 hp. The 1952 prototype was a modified 170B, with a new engine, a rectangular fin with a dorsal fairing, and reshaped side windows. Other changes include improvements to the steering, cowling, optional wheel fairings, and new wing tip design. Over the years, models A through K were produced, totaling 6,192 Cessna 180s. A complete detailed history is found in Edward Phillips' book Wings of Cessna.

Pilots uniformly report good handling of the 180 in the air, but on the ground, they sing a different tune. Visibility during taxi calls for S-turns, which is expected in a tailwheel. Ground loop avoidance, particularly in gusty conditions, calls for the utmost attention and tap dancing on the rudder pedals. According to Aviation Safety’s 1980-1981 study, 42% of all Cessna 180 accidents are due to ground loops during takeoff or landing.

Buz Landry, president of the International 180/185 Club, a group of 1,480 owners in 23 countries (you have to own one of the two types to join), calls the 180 "the most versatile aircraft ever designed. It flies fairly quickly, carries a good load, and can operate out of most rough and short strips."

In Alaska, where livelihoods and lives depend on airplanes, the 180's reliability and utility made it about as common as long winters. On wheels, floats, or skis, there are more Model 180s in Alaska than in any other state. "You always make it back in a 180," says Bud Morrison, of Woodland, Washington, who figures he has 10,000 hours in 180s and 185s. "It's got manual flaps, a simple carburetor — not fuel injection — and no fussy electronics or systems to break down in the boonies."

The 180 isn't perfect. Without soundproofing, the 180 is a bit noisy. There are airplanes that will fly faster, others that will haul more, and a few that will get in and out of shorter runways. But the 180 does all these things pretty well. Airplanes that do several things well, the "jacks of all trades," endear themselves to people who use them for recreation and business. Others that quickly come to mind are the 172 Skyhawk, Piper's Cubs, and Beech's Bonanzas. Each of these airplanes does several things well, and they're all perennial bestsellers.
For more information, see Cessna 180: Jack of All Trades and Cessna 180

The 180 is an all metal, four to six seat, high wing, single-engine airplane equipped with conventional landing gear.

This airplane is certified in the normal category. Spins and aerobatic maneuvers are not permitted in normal category airplanes. The aircraft is equipped for day and night VFR flight and with additional equipment, for day or night IFR flight.

The aircraft is powered by a six cylinder, horizontally opposed, normally aspirated, direct drive, air cooled, carburetor equipped engine. The engine is a Continental Model O-470-R and is rated at 230 hp.

Fuel is supplied to the engine from two tanks, one in each wing. From these tanks, fuel flows by gravity through the selector valve to the fuel strainer and carburetor. Total fuel capacity is 65 gallons. This can be increased to 84 gallons total capacity with the optional long-range system.

Electrical energy is supplied by a 14-volt, direct-current system powered by an engine-driven alternator and a 12-volt storage battery.