My New Ride

[Cubpylut]

Well after a year of listening to the voices in my head and heart argue back and forth, you know the questions, do I want to spend the money in this economy, burn that much gas, pay the extra insurance premiums and go for the dream - a C180 or settle for a C182, I pulled the trigger and over achieved and bought a 'C61 C185. For those not already in the know, the former owner was our own Bill "Wilbur" Thomas. Bill has been struggling with the sell it or keep it question longer than I've been shopping but we finally got together and got a deal done. I know Wilbur will miss this old girl when he's droning across the midwest at 90 MPH while I go by at 160 or the next time we wants to go pick up a Rokon from some far away owner but I hope he's happy the 185 went to a good home (at least that's my opinion). Hardest part for Wilbur will probably be the fact the airplane only moved about 30 miles and he's bound to bump into me all the time.

Anyway, for those that don't know, this 185 is a 1961 - Serial #12 and as Kase posted in another thread, is a clean, low time (2700 TT), well cared for and unmolested airplane. Only real modification is the extended baggage and it has the factory LR tanks.Because it's a pretty stock airplane, it's still very light - 1735 empty so with a 3200 lb gross, I can load myself, the wife and 2 young kids with carseats, full 84 gallons of fuel and still have 501 lbs of legal useful load. I'm going to update the interior as Wilbur pretty much wore out the pilot seat in the 18 years he owned it and my backside has a bruise from the lack of padding in the seat. I'll be adding the BAS tail pull handles and door stewards and then the plan is to fly it as much as my Avgas budget allows until I can act like i know what I'm doing. Looking forward to many years of enjoyable ownership and hope I can treat it as well as Wilbur did.







James Smith

PS - I guess I better change my avatar.

 

[FdxLou]

James

Do you have a picture of the panel?

PM me before you start on the interior. I did my 180 interior over the winter. Lots of work.


Lou

 

[Cubpylut]

I have a couple of pictures of the panel but they're on the iPad. I'll have to transfer them to my laptop as I haven't sync'd them thru iTunes yet. I'm sure SJ and other tech savy people will be shaking their heads as I'm sure I can post the pictures using the iPad but I'm not that advanced with it yet! I'll add them in a post shortly.

Anyway, it has a "stock" 61 panel with a KMA20, KT78 and 2 - KX170B's. By stock I mean that goofy MP, RMP and Fuel Flow gauge layout in the l

Right now, I'm only planning to do the seats, as the side panels and headliner are servicable for now. I'll eventually do the full Selkirk interior but a JPI or EI engine monitor will have priority on my wish list.

James

 

[WWhunter]

Congrats James! Big difference from the 'ol Rebel huh!
Are you going to fly up for the Fall Colors Tour? Maybe see you there if I can get my new (to me) S-7's gear replaced in time.
Keith

 

[superchamp]

Beautiful 185. Keith, whats with the gear replacement?

 

[StewartB]

Congratulations. All reports indicate that's a good airplane. I hope it serves you well.

Ahh, Skywagon interiors. Have fun with that. Actually, it can be rewarding. It WILL be frustrating!

SB

 

[Dave Calkins]

Congratulations. Ahh, Skywagon interiors. Have fun with that. Actually, it can be rewarding. It WILL be frustrating!

SB

....amateurs.

.....pros use much stronger words than "frustrating".

James, Congratulations....good on ya for wanting to deserve it. That's the attitude!

 

[SuperCub MD]

Oh sure, he wouldn't sell it to me when I offered....I suppose I'll have to haul his ass around in the 180 now.

Congrates James, that is a good flying airplane.

 

[OLDCROWE]

Nice bird, but what about the blender?

 

[behindpropellers]

Does it smell like peaches?

 

[sj]

Does it smell like peaches?

HA!!!!!!!

Sent from a Droid Incredible with Tapatalk

 

[Lance]

Lord, something must be in the drinking water. Lot of guys moving to the "dark side" or adding to the stable. What are you flying Mark? First I've heard of it.

Lance

 

[jrussl]

Congrats on the new bird James. I can't wait to see it.

Jeff (WI)

 

[slowmover]

Congrats on the new airplane! I traded in my Super Cub for a 180 last year with no regrets. Here's the story. Oh sure, it costs more $$$ and it isn't as simple an experience, but I like being able to go IFR somewhere at 140 KTAS and still get into most of the places I could take my cub.

The biggest transition gotcha I found is that the 180 is twitchier in crosswinds than my Super Cub was. Maybe I was more comfortable in the cub or maybe my technique isn't as good in the 180 but I find the 180 to be more demanding in that respect. Oh yeah and the full flap go around will get you if you don't stay ahead of it.

Have fun!

 

[Steve Pierce]

Congrats James. I hope Wilbur made you agree to let him ring her out every now and again.

 

[Bill Rusk]

Congrats James. Missed you at Brodhead last weekend but did see your Dad and Brother. Glad you got a good ride.

Bill

 

[Randy]

Congrats James. I hope Wilbur made you agree to let him ring her out every now and again.

Steve...Are we talking about the same Wilbur that I know?
Wilbur will get this one.....my barn cats will still long remember Wilburs aerial arrival at the farm
Randy

 

[3454terryg]

Well after a year of listening to the voices in my head and heart argue back and forth, you know the questions, do I want to spend the money in this economy, burn that much gas, pay the extra insurance premiums and go for the dream - a C180 or settle for a C182, I pulled the trigger and over achieved and bought a 'C61 C185. For those not already in the know, the former owner was our own Bill "Wilbur" Thomas. Bill has been struggling with the sell it or keep it question longer than I've been shopping but we finally got together and got a deal done. I know Wilbur will miss this old girl when he's droning across the midwest at 90 MPH while I go by at 160 or the next time we wants to go pick up a Rokon from some far away owner but I hope he's happy the 185 went to a good home (at least that's my opinion). Hardest part for Wilbur will probably be the fact the airplane only moved about 30 miles and he's bound to bump into me all the time.

Anyway, for those that don't know, this 185 is a 1961 - Serial #12 and as Kase posted in another thread, is a clean, low time (2700 TT), well cared for and unmolested airplane. Only real modification is the extended baggage and it has the factory LR tanks.Because it's a pretty stock airplane, it's still very light - 1735 empty so with a 3200 lb gross, I can load myself, the wife and 2 young kids with carseats, full 84 gallons of fuel and still have 501 lbs of legal useful load. I'm going to update the interior as Wilbur pretty much wore out the pilot seat in the 18 years he owned it and my backside has a bruise from the lack of padding in the seat. I'll be adding the BAS tail pull handles and door stewards and then the plan is to fly it as much as my Avgas budget allows until I can act like i know what I'm doing. Looking forward to many years of enjoyable ownership and hope I can treat it as well as Wilbur did.

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James Smith

PS - I guess I better change my avatar.

Wanna sell it?

 

[Cubpylut]

Thanks for the question - but in the interest of marital bliss - not at this time. That and my 7 year-old daughter would probably disown me if I sold her airplane-again.

James