185 Max External Load

This forum has been developed to discuss Bush Flying & Specialty Air Service topics.

Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore, Rudder Bug

Post Reply
unenthused
Rank 0
Rank 0
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 12:17 pm

185 Max External Load

Post by unenthused »

What can a 185 handle strapped to the side? A 16' foot boat? A 20' square stern cedar strip freighter? An ATV? A fridge?

I don't own or fly a 185 and have no specific plans. I'm just curious about what has been successfully accomplished in accordance with the laws of physics, not the laws of man.

Please share.

UE
---------- ADS -----------
 
Rowdy
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 5165
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:26 pm
Location: On Borrowed Wings

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by Rowdy »

Depends on which floats are mounted. I've only ever seen canoes and lumber strapped to the sides of the buck eighty five
---------- ADS -----------
 
NWONT
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 577
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:20 pm

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by NWONT »

I've hauled more 14 ft boats on a 180 and 185 than I can remember but I've never attempted to take a 16 ft. Used a Beaver for those.
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
valleyboy
Rank 8
Rank 8
Posts: 797
Joined: Tue May 03, 2016 4:05 am
Contact:

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by valleyboy »

Now you need an approved external load system -- I don't think cessna has one -- having said that even back in the 60's the company i worked for would not haul external loads on a 180 or 185 because of the cost of overhauling tail feathers.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Black air has no lift - extra fuel has no weight
http://www.blackair.ca
'97 Tercel
Rank 8
Rank 8
Posts: 775
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 5:19 pm

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by '97 Tercel »

I wouldn't put a 16' boat on the side unless maybe the whole flight can be flown at 100'.

It'll do a 17' canoe. Gets a bit squirrelly with racks plus skulls on each side. We always doubled the weight of the external load to use in planning.
---------- ADS -----------
 
peterdillon
Rank 1
Rank 1
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:16 pm

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by peterdillon »

Carried 2 Porta Boats, one on each side, and lots of lumber on the 185 but somehow it doesn't seem to be the best platform for large bulky objects. Cub and Beaver are good and Norseman the best for us.
---------- ADS -----------
 
shimmydampner
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1764
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2004 3:59 pm

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by shimmydampner »

'97 Tercel wrote:We always doubled the weight of the external load to use in planning.
That's another one of those rules of thumb that never made much sense to me and always drove me nuts. It's so dumb. A 150 pound load in a 185 is in no way representative of or a remotely good comparison to how the aircraft will fly with a 75 pound canoe on the side, especially if it's at gross weight. A 200 pound aluminum boat on a Beaver is nothing like 400 pounds inside. I've flown more external loads than I care to remember and I never could see how that math checks out. All I can say is god bless twin otters.
---------- ADS -----------
 
unenthused
Rank 0
Rank 0
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 12:17 pm

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by unenthused »

Thanks for the replies everyone; interesting stuff.

Don't worry, I'm not planning anything silly.

I'm also curious about 2 canoes on a beaver while we're here...

UE
---------- ADS -----------
 
who me ?
Rank 3
Rank 3
Posts: 140
Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2005 8:42 am

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by who me ? »

Hi
Does any one have an STC , or any paperwork, for a canoe rack or external rack for a 185 ?
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
Redneck_pilot86
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1328
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:47 pm
Location: between 60 and 70

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by Redneck_pilot86 »

Wolverine Air had/has an LSTC for any canoe up to 17 feet on Aerocets.
---------- ADS -----------
 
The only three things a wingman should ever say: 1. "Two's up" 2. "You're on fire" 3. "I'll take the fat one"
bushwings
Rank 0
Rank 0
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2017 11:48 am

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by bushwings »

I've seen them take out a single person fishing pontoon boat. Not much for weight but one hell of an awkward shape to stick on the side of an airplane. I should have taken a picture.
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
CLguy
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1601
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:54 pm
Location: Reality!

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by CLguy »

Unenthused 2 canoes on a a Beaver is no problem as long as you aren't grossed out in the cabin. Used to regularly tie 2 14' boats on the Beaver with no issues. Just keep the turns gentle and no more that take off flap for landing.
---------- ADS -----------
 
You Can Love An Airplane All You Want, But Remember, It Will Never Love You Back!
NWONT
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 577
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:20 pm

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by NWONT »

That's a 14 foot boat on a 1954 C180. Many times I would have myself, the motor and a couple of hundred pounds of gear inside.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Attachments
CF-IQG 1977.jpg
CF-IQG 1977.jpg (104.85 KiB) Viewed 5272 times
Spandau
Rank 3
Rank 3
Posts: 115
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:05 am

Re: 185 Max External Load

Post by Spandau »

A very experienced friend of mine had a 14' or so Lund on a -185 on CAP 3000E's, but he said "Never again." I've flown any and all shape of canoes on them, my favorite being a 14' Grumman, my worst a 17' Coleman. I've had kayaks on and forgotten about them.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Post Reply

Return to “Bush Flying & Specialty Air Service”