Important Pointers When Buying A Cessna 180

For its power alone, the Cessna 180 is already a hands-down choice for anyone who wants to buy a light airplane that could be utilized for many purposes. This plane has an engine that could produce 230 horsepower, which is definitely more than enough to carry four people, including the pilot. It is not surprising why many would prefer to use this plane for remote areas that are otherwise unreachable by other forms of modern transportation. Aside from its power the 180 does not need a very long runway to make a perfect takeoff. Again, this capability makes it a good pick for those who live in less developed areas.

However, those on the path of buying a 180 should remember that production of this plane has already been stopped for more than two decades already. This means that they would not be able to find units of such model being sold in the market. Still, they would be surprised how many of these are still actually being sold. This is because the Skywagon, which is how it has been nicknamed, is just so popular that it is always in demand even if it is already obsolete. Today’s young breed of pilots are still as impressed with the 180’s capabilities as those flyers of the yesteryears.

It is important for buyers to first consider what their plane would be for. If the plane would be used for flight training, then the Cessna 180 may not be the ideal choice. There is no doubt that this aircraft is highly maneuverable but its weight and size may just be too much for the purpose. A trainer plane should be smaller not just for maneuverability’s sake but also for lesser fuel use. A better choice for such purpose would be the two-seater Cessna 152.

However, if the plane is to be used for transporting people or some light cargo, then the 180 should be perfect.

Just like buying a car, buyers should not close a deal without testing the aircraft by flying it first. It is through flying also that engine issues could be found out. The buyer should have an aircraft mechanic with them so that an inspection could be made on the engine as well as other vital parts of the plane. The plane would surely be a used one already and there could be signs of wear and tear. Of course, the parts that may need to be replaced have to be considered because these would pull down the selling price of the plane. It would not be hard to look for replacement parts even if the 180 is already outdated. There are still plenty of spare parts that are brand new available in the market.

By: A. James David

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James David teaches people how to buy single engine airplanes & has a passion for the Cessna 180