| CESSNA 180 SKYWAGON | Legendary popularity Durability and reliability are more important than eye appeal BY BARRY SCHIFF P H OTO GRA P H Y BY M I K E FI Z E R DURING THE DECADE FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II, THE CESSNA 170 WAS THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR FOUR-PLACE AIRPLANE. The 145-horsepower taildragger, however, could not compete well against the speedier Beech Bonanza and North American Navion. This is when Cessna decided to take advantage of Continental Motor's then-new, 225-horsepower O-470-A engine and develop the robust Cessna 180, which first flew in May 1952. (Beginning in 1957, horsepower was modestly increased to 230.) The 50 | AOPA PILOT February 2014 Cessna 180 Skywagon is not a beautiful airplane, but it is a classic-looking taildragger that became an instant success. It became especially popular with those needing a lightweight, utilitarian airplane that could endure seaplane operations and feel at home using unimproved strips carved from the wilderness. The Cessna 180 went where tricycle-gear airplanes feared to tread.