Cessna 185 Skywagon weight and balance & performance calculator
The Cessna 185 Skywagon is a tailwheel utility and backcountry aircraft with 6 seats, fixed tailwheel gear and piston engine. BriefingPal has 1 model of the Cessna 185 Skywagon on file – A185E Skywagon – with data from the Pilot's Operating Handbook for weight and balance, takeoff and landing distances, climb and cruise. Free, no sign-up.
* A185E Skywagon, MTOW, sea level / 6,500 ft, ISA – details below
Calculate the Cessna 185 Skywagon weight, CG and takeoff distance
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 185 Skywagon key figures by model
| Model | Built | MTOW | Empty mass¹ | Usable fuel | Max. baggage | Useful load with full fuel¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A185E Skywagon | – | 1,520 kg (3,350 lb) | 749 kg (1,652 lb) | 81 US gal (307 L) | 454 kg (1,000 lb) | 550 kg (1,212 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 185 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A185E Skywagon | 240 m (780 ft) | 420 m (1,390 ft) | 430 m (1,410 ft) | 145 m (480 ft) |
Hot and high: at 5,000 ft and 25 °C (density altitude about 7,300 ft) the A185E Skywagon needs about 645 m (2,110 ft) to clear 50 ft – 53 % 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 185 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A185E Skywagon | 1,010 fpm | 8 min / 2.6 US gal | 136 kt | 13.8 US gal/h (52 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 185 Skywagon weight and balance in BriefingPal
Loading stations: seat row 1, seat row 2, seat row 3, baggage area 1, baggage area 2, baggage area 3, baggage area 4, baggage area 5, fuel. Maximum baggage: 454 kg (1,000 lb). Demonstrated crosswind: – Best rate of climb speed Vy: 87 KIAS. Service ceiling: – Fuel: AVGAS.
How to calculate Cessna 185 Skywagon weight and balance
- Choose the Cessna 185 SkywagonType the registration or pick Cessna → Cessna 185 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 185 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 185 Skywagon – frequently asked questions
What is the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of the Cessna 185 Skywagon?
A185E Skywagon: 1,520 kg (3,350 lb).
How much usable fuel does the Cessna 185 Skywagon carry?
A185E Skywagon: 81 US gal (307 L).
What is the useful load of the Cessna 185 Skywagon with full fuel?
With the typical POH empty mass and full usable fuel: A185E Skywagon: 550 kg (1,212 lb). Your aircraft's real empty mass is in its weighing report – BriefingPal can store it per registration.
How long is the Cessna 185 Skywagon takeoff distance?
A185E Skywagon at MTOW, sea level, 15 °C, no wind: ground roll about 240 m (780 ft), over 50 ft about 420 m (1,390 ft). At 5,000 ft and 25 °C it grows to about 645 m (2,110 ft). Always check the POH for your exact conditions.
Is there a free Cessna 185 Skywagon weight and balance calculator?
Yes. BriefingPal is free and needs no account. It covers 1 model of the Cessna 185 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
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