Backcountry Pilot • What are your "must-haves" for a 185?

What are your "must-haves" for a 185?

Technical and practical discussion about specific aircraft types such as Cessna 180, Maule M7, et al. Please read and search carefully before posting, as many popular topics have already been discussed.
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Re: What are your "must-haves" for a 185?

I have a question on the Cessna seat restrainer if I may.
I have one installed in my 185 but the release cable that is attached to the seat fore and aft handle broke so I had to unbolt the an4 from the floor to move the seat. Does Cessna offer parts for this kit which was free?

Tom
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Re: What are your "must-haves" for a 185?

Been thinking more about this "must haves" business.
IMHO shoulder harnesses, good brakes, and secure front seats are the must haves--
everything else is wanna have and/or mission=dependent (like a must for you but not me).
FWIW I think if the seat rails, claws, & pins are all ship-shape, per the AD, rail-locks and/or the seat-belt-style restraints aren't necessary.
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Re: What are your "must-haves" for a 185?

I haven't flown my 185 yet but I would consider these as a must have.

Cleveland 2 piece wheels
GAMI Injectors
New fuel caps
Late style Cessna rudder pedal - this is a personal preference because of my height
BAS tail pull handle
BAS sholder harness
Battery firewall - this takes some weight out of the tail and puts less than what it takes out on the nose. Helps with starting.
I heard a story that some guys like to have their CG close to the forward limit so when the airplane gets filled with fuel and people it won't bust the aft limit. Probably a bunch of BS...

Depending on how much you have to spend these are my wants

Sportsman - it's a must
VGs
LEDs
PPonk gear legs
29" Alaskan Bushwheels
Baby Bush tailwheel
Engine Monitor

You can't go wrong with a Skywagon!
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Re: What are your "must-haves" for a 185?

a3holerman wrote:I have a question on the Cessna seat restrainer if I may.
I have one installed in my 185 but the release cable that is attached to the seat fore and aft handle broke so I had to unbolt the an4 from the floor to move the seat. Does Cessna offer parts for this kit which was free?

Tom


I'd suggest contacting Yingling. They would have the parts if anyone does, since they are one of Cessna's depots for other dealers to source the kit. It's the same kit, whether Cessna paid for it or you pay for it.

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Re: What are your "must-haves" for a 185?

Hey StampCreek,
The question "what are you gonna use it for" is spot on.

I bought a 180 7 years ago and I knew going in that I mostly wanted an IFR-capable cross country airplane with some backcountry capability. So, I opted for a 1980 180 with 88 gal of fuel, a floatplane kit, and a standard 6-pack instrument panel that I promptly dropped an Aspen PFD into. Since then, I've added BAS harnesses, done the PPonk gear mod, added a Reiff preheat kit, redone the interior, boosted the gross weight to 3190, and a few other things that meet my mission requirements.

I read all the big tire threads but I am still running 8.00s because that works for me. I also have stock wings, engine, and prop. I'd like to add an engine monitor and a few other bells and whistles but money is an object so I haven't done that yet. In 7 years, I've been as far west as Las Vegas/Johnson Creek and as far east as a Bar Harbor/Ocracoke/Orlando line. Alaska is on the schedule for June 2018.

I live just west of you in Abilene. If you want to see my 180 let me know and we'll figure out how to get together.

Joe
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Re: What are your "must-haves" for a 185?

slowmover wrote:Hey StampCreek,
The question "what are you gonna use it for" is spot on.

I bought a 180 7 years ago and I knew going in that I mostly wanted an IFR-capable cross country airplane with some backcountry capability. So, I opted for a 1980 180 with 88 gal of fuel, a floatplane kit, and a standard 6-pack instrument panel that I promptly dropped an Aspen PFD into. Since then, I've added BAS harnesses, done the PPonk gear mod, added a Reiff preheat kit, redone the interior, boosted the gross weight to 3190, and a few other things that meet my mission requirements.

I read all the big tire threads but I am still running 8.00s because that works for me. I also have stock wings, engine, and prop. I'd like to add an engine monitor and a few other bells and whistles but money is an object so I haven't done that yet. In 7 years, I've been as far west as Las Vegas/Johnson Creek and as far east as a Bar Harbor/Ocracoke/Orlando line. Alaska is on the schedule for June 2018.

I live just west of you in Abilene. If you want to see my 180 let me know and we'll figure out how to get together.

Joe


Copy that, thanks!
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