The Cessna 185 Skywagon has a reputation that arrives before you do. It’s a big, powerful taildragger, and pilots coming from lighter tailwheel airplanes often say the 185 asks for more attention on the ground and in the landing than anything they’ve flown before.
Training in an E model usually means an instructor, a lot of takeoffs and landings, and very little spare attention for remembering what comes next. A checklist written for the 185 E lets you run the before-takeoff and before-landing checks without breaking your focus on keeping the airplane straight. Keep it with, not instead of, the airplane’s POH/AFM, and confirm it matches your E model’s year and engine.
Quick answer: The CheckMate Cessna 185 E Checklist is a cockpit checklist for pilots who fly the Cessna 185 E Skywagon, Cessna’s big tailwheel utility airplane. It comes as CheckMate, CheckMate+ or CheckMate Pro in Standard (6.5″ x 9″) or Compact (5″ x 7″) sizes, plus a QuickMate card. It’s meant to supplement the airplane’s POH/AFM, not replace it, so confirm it matches your exact model, year, engine and handbook before relying on it. You can find it on Skyfarer and order it at Skyfarer Shop.
Which 185 E checklist format fits you
- CheckMate. The design that started it all, with the familiar legacy look, in Standard (6.5″ x 9″) or Compact (5″ x 7″).
- CheckMate+. An updated design aimed at better readability and safety, with passenger and crew briefing prompts, abort plan prompts and ATC communications prompts. It includes an instant low-resolution, black-and-white temporary digital download, so you have a copy to use right away. Standard (6.5″ x 9″) or Compact (5″ x 7″).
- CheckMate Pro. A personalized CheckMate+: add your tail number, name or phone number, your empty weight and useful load, and details for up to five airports you visit often. Typical production time is within 48 hours. Standard (6.5″ x 9″) or Compact (5″ x 7″).
- QuickMate. A 5″ x 7″ plastic card with an abbreviated checklist for pilots who prefer minimalism. It highlights only the most critical information while keeping all the V-speeds and emergency procedures from CheckMate.
Using it in the cockpit
- Check that it’s your airplane’s checklist. Make sure the model, year and engine match your airplane and its POH/AFM before the checklist goes into the cockpit.
- Do one side-by-side read. At home or in the hangar, read the checklist next to the POH/AFM and its supplements, and mark anything your airplane’s equipment changes. The handbook wins every disagreement.
- Finish the checks before the critical moments. Complete the before-landing check early enough on downwind or base that your attention on final and in the flare belongs entirely to the airplane.
- Choose a size that stays put. Standard is 6.5″ x 9″ and Compact is 5″ x 7″. Pick the one that fits where you’ll keep it in flight, whether that’s a kneeboard, a door pocket or your lap.
Before you rely on it
This checklist is a supplement to the POH/AFM, not a replacement for it. Treat every speed, limit and procedure on the page as something to confirm against your airplane’s own handbook and supplements, which govern.
Model year, engine and equipment can all change what applies to a given airplane. Confirm the checklist matches your exact model, year and engine, and that it agrees with your airplane’s handbook, before you rely on it in flight.
Pilot tip: In a big taildragger, the landing isn’t over until the airplane is stopped and parked. Save after-landing items for when you’re clear of the runway and fully under control.
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Where to buy
CheckMate Cessna 185 E Checklist is sold by Skyfarer Shop. Find it on the Skyfarer marketplace or order directly from Skyfarer Shop. Either link shows the current price, shipping options and return terms.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 185 E checklist cover floats or skis?
The product description doesn’t say. Float and ski installations come with their own flight manual supplements, which govern for that configuration.
Does this checklist replace the POH/AFM?
No. It supplements the airplane’s POH/AFM. The handbook and its supplements govern every procedure, speed and limitation, so confirm the checklist against them before you rely on it.
What is the temporary digital download?
CheckMate+ includes an instant low-resolution, black-and-white temporary digital download, so you have something to use while the printed checklist is on its way.
How is CheckMate+ different from the original CheckMate?
CheckMate+ uses an updated design aimed at better readability and safety and adds passenger and crew briefing prompts, abort plan prompts and ATC communications prompts. The original CheckMate keeps the familiar legacy look.
