You still out fightin' fires? Looks like that is becoming a full-time, year-round job!

And here I though I was the only one that was "bent". I found myself looking at old 35s and C195s when I realized my -35 may be totaled... I'm not quite 50, but I guess I have too may role models that have polluted my concept of what an airplane should be... the old stuff is just 'cool' for some reason.

Might see if you can find a polished C180. A local here has one and it has the ramp appeal and is dirt simple to maintain. Not the fastest bird, but fast enough ...

195s are so classy... Also hard to believe they were produced at the same time as the Bo. When the Bo rolled up next to a 195, the Bo must have looked like a prop from a Buck Rogers movie.

I lusted after the 195, but decided a Bo was a smarter decision for me.

However, for true utility and back country use I would go for the 185.

After all, you have a T-6 for cool factor...

You still out fightin' fires? Looks like that is becoming a full-time, year-round job!

Yeah, that one was nice...

I had a 185 with STOL package, it nearly the climb angle of an elevator.
Downside it was noisy inside and out.
The 195 is easier in ground handling just because it is longer. They definitely are a lot more work. I think a lot more fun too.

Stan,

195 requires some tinkering. If you buy a rebuilt one and fly it like the Bonanza it will probably not require much more handholding than a Bo. Most people only fly them 30 or less hours a year. Many that say they have rebuilt them are kidding themselves. They perhaps added paint and interior.

The one I bought was rebuilt basically from the ground up in 2007 by John Barron in Hannibal MO. There are 3-4 top shops that know the 195. Lot's of great knowledgeable owners like Aubie who will help a newbie find the right plane. I joined the http://www.cessna195.org group. Great info and good way to let owners know you are looking. The one I purchased was not listed.

195 can fly back country grass. Not a short field performer landing. Others with actual experience will tell you min 2000' in most instances. The 195 is cool, round and a tail dragger. What can you say more than that. Oh it sounds really good, no a P51 but what is...

C185 is what you want. Its fast, light and will carry a good load.
I've owned mine for the last 18 years and over 2000 hrs on floats, wheels and skis.
It's a workhorse that wont let you down in any conditions.

It is that. I want it the same way I want a '57 Bel Air or a '59 'vette...

What about a helio courier? Certified but extra cool factor.

Marc's right but it's hard to pass by one of these.

If I were thinking about diminished reaction time / eyesight in later years and an airplane that would let me keep flying longer...that would be a nose wheel airplane that's easy to fly and land. Not a tail wheel. A Bonanza could be an adequate grass field plane, a good cross country plane, and an easy to land hamburger run airplane when your skills start to diminish.

But really... You're not that old yet, right

As I told Walter back when we both had twin beeches....

"If rather have a case of clap than a nosegear Twin Beech.....at least you can cure the clap...."

Helio's are slow at 115-120 kts compared to 140-145 kts for the C185.

Stan, the 185 is a good old man's airplane. I'm probably biased since I just celebrated being the caretaker of my 185 for 40 years this past June. I just joined the United Flying Octogenarians this Spring when I turned eighty so that is why I say it's a great old man's airplane.

It's a very good all around aircraft, fairly docile in ground handling manners. A great load hauler and speed is not bad. Easy to maintain and work on, and a joy to fly. My 185 has never had a shop annual in the 40 years I've owned it. I've worked with just 3 I/A's in that time, all have been 185 owners, the last one for the past 30 years.

There are quite a few of us (older guy's) flying the 180/185 aircraft in the 180/185 type club. The 180 is a great aircraft also, I owned one back in the late sixties and early seventies, also flew skydivers in 180's in the late sixties. You get the best of both planes with the 185.

There is a fair amount of junk on the market in these aircraft. Damage history is OK if rebuilt buy a good shop, such as Beggles in Greeley,CO. There are also a few good one's that come on the market off and on. Beggles usually has at least 5-10 180/185 aircraft in their shop at all times for either upgrades or ground loops and the damage it does. You know what they say about GL's, there are those that have and those that will, same as the old gear up saying. Beggles has rebuilt a number of high time 185's from the ground up for different agency's, since you can't buy a new one, a ground up restoration is big $$$, still cheaper than a new 206.

There are also a lot of good mods to make these aircraft even better. Stan, if you need any help on a purchase Ill do what I can.
Ron