Cessna 180 Skywagon weight and balance & performance calculator
The Cessna 180 Skywagon is a tailwheel utility and backcountry aircraft with fixed tailwheel gear and piston engine. BriefingPal has 2 models of the Cessna 180 Skywagon on file – 180H Skywagon (1970) and 180K Skywagon (1979) – with data from the Pilot's Operating Handbook for weight and balance, takeoff and landing distances, climb and cruise. Free, no sign-up.
* 180K Skywagon (1979), MTOW, sea level / 6,500 ft, ISA – details below
Cessna 180 Skywagon weight and balance and performance calculator
Your own empty mass (weighing report, optional)
The POH has no standard empty moment for this model – enter the empty mass CG from your weighing report to get the CG.
Leave empty to use the typical POH empty mass. Your aircraft's weighing report is what counts.
Calculated on the BriefingPal server from the POH data. Nothing is stored, no cookie. Planning aid only – the POH/AFM and your weighing report are authoritative.
Cessna 180 Skywagon weight and balance calculator per model
Cessna 180 Skywagon key figures by model
| Model | Built | MTOW | Empty mass¹ | Usable fuel | Max. baggage | Useful load with full fuel¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180H Skywagon (1970) | 1970 | 1,270 kg (2,800 lb) | 749 kg (1,651 lb) | 60 US gal (227 L) | 181 kg (400 lb) | 358 kg (789 lb) |
| 180K Skywagon (1979) | 1979 | 1,270 kg (2,800 lb) | 785 kg (1,731 lb) | 84 US gal (318 L) | 77 kg (170 lb) | 256 kg (565 lb) |
¹ Typical empty mass from the POH sample loading; your aircraft's current weighing report applies. Useful load = MTOW − empty mass − usable fuel (people, baggage, oil if not included).
Cessna 180 Skywagon takeoff and landing distance
BriefingPal result at MTOW, sea level, 15 °C, no wind, dry paved runway, normal takeoff and landing per POH with the app's default flap setting, without safety factor:
| Model | Takeoff ground roll | Takeoff over 50 ft | Landing over 50 ft | Landing ground roll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180H Skywagon (1970) | 195 m (640 ft) | 375 m (1,230 ft) | 420 m (1,380 ft) | 145 m (480 ft) |
| 180K Skywagon (1979) | 190 m (630 ft) | 370 m (1,210 ft) | 415 m (1,370 ft) | 145 m (480 ft) |
Hot and high: at 5,000 ft and 25 °C (density altitude about 7,300 ft) the 180K Skywagon (1979) needs about 640 m (2,100 ft) to clear 50 ft – 74 % more than at sea level. Calculate density altitude →
In BriefingPal you enter your actual weight, airfield, temperature and wind. The app reads the POH charts for these conditions, compares the result with TORA/LDA of the selected runway and can add a 1.15 safety factor.
Cessna 180 Skywagon climb and cruise performance
| Model | Rate of climb at sea level | Time / fuel to 6,500 ft | Cruise TAS at 6,500 ft | Fuel flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180H Skywagon (1970) | 1,090 fpm | 7 min / 2.2 US gal | 135 kt | 12.8 US gal/h (48 L/h) |
| 180K Skywagon (1979) | 1,100 fpm | 7 min / 1.9 US gal | 131 kt | 11.1 US gal/h (42 L/h) |
MTOW, ISA, default power setting of the POH cruise table. Values change with weight, temperature and the power you choose in the app.
Cessna 180 Skywagon weight and balance in BriefingPal
Loading stations: 4 seat rows, baggage area 1, baggage area 2, baggage area 3, baggage area 4, baggage area 5, combined baggage limit, fuel. Maximum baggage: 77–181 kg. Demonstrated crosswind: 12 kt. Best rate of climb speed Vy: 81 KIAS. Service ceiling: 17,700 ft. Fuel: AVGAS.
Crosswind calculator with the demonstrated crosswind of the Cessna 180 Skywagon →
How to calculate Cessna 180 Skywagon weight and balance
- Choose the Cessna 180 SkywagonType the registration or pick Cessna → Cessna 180 Skywagon → your model. Stored weighing data of the registration are used automatically.
- Enter people, baggage and fuelWeights in kg or lb, fuel in US gallons or litres. MTOW and every station limit are checked instantly.
- Check the CG envelopeTakeoff, zero-fuel and landing points are drawn into the Cessna 180 Skywagon envelope from the POH.
- Add airfields and routeTakeoff and landing distances, climb, cruise and fuel follow from the same weight – then print the briefing PDF.
Cessna 180 Skywagon – frequently asked questions
What is the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of the Cessna 180 Skywagon?
Depending on the model, 180H Skywagon (1970): 1,270 kg (2,800 lb); 180K Skywagon (1979): 1,270 kg (2,800 lb).
How much usable fuel does the Cessna 180 Skywagon carry?
Usable fuel per POH: 180H Skywagon (1970): 60 US gal (227 L); 180K Skywagon (1979): 84 US gal (318 L).
What is the useful load of the Cessna 180 Skywagon with full fuel?
With the typical POH empty mass and full usable fuel: 180H Skywagon (1970): 358 kg (789 lb); 180K Skywagon (1979): 256 kg (565 lb). Your aircraft's real empty mass is in its weighing report – BriefingPal can store it per registration.
How long is the Cessna 180 Skywagon takeoff distance?
180K Skywagon (1979) at MTOW, sea level, 15 °C, no wind: ground roll about 190 m (630 ft), over 50 ft about 370 m (1,210 ft). At 5,000 ft and 25 °C it grows to about 640 m (2,100 ft). Always check the POH for your exact conditions.
Is there a free Cessna 180 Skywagon weight and balance calculator?
Yes. BriefingPal is free and needs no account. It covers 2 models of the Cessna 180 Skywagon, draws the CG envelope from the POH and also computes takeoff and landing distances, climb, cruise and fuel – with a briefing PDF.
Data source
All figures come from the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook / Airplane Flight Manual of each model (weight and balance section and performance section) and are computed with the BriefingPal engine. BriefingPal is a planning aid; the original POH/AFM of your aircraft and its weighing report remain authoritative.
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Calculators
Open the Cessna 180 Skywagon calculator
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