1962 Cessna 185A
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
VFRAvionics: Garmin 150XL GPS Bendix King KX-155 NAV/COM Bendix King KY-197 COM Bendix King KT-79 Transponder Garmin Aera 660 GPS FreeFlight ADS-B JPI EDM-800 Engine Analyzer PS Engineering PM3000 Intercom Audio Panel: KMA-24 Altitude Encoder: Trans-Cal SSD120 Aircraft priced to allow buyer to tailor avionics upgrades if desired.
Description
1962 Cessna Skywagon 185A - 249 SMOH - Sportsman STOL - Bushwheels - Float Kit - $299,500 Overview: Exceptionally capable 1962 Cessna 185A "Light" Skywagon configured for backcountry and utility operations. Equipped with 24 STCs including Sportsman STOL, Alaska Bushwheels, vortex generators, P. Ponk structural upgrades, floatplane kit, and extended baggage. Only 249 hours SMOH on the Continental engine and propeller. Originally operated in the Pacific by Ansett and Territory Airlines and later returned to the United States in 2001 for modernization. Aircraft also appeared in the 1972 film La Vallée. Well-documented history with complete logs since new. Aircraft Highlights • 249 SMOH Engine • Sportsman STOL Cuff • Micro AeroDynamics Vortex Generators • 29" Alaska Bushwheels • Baby Bushwheel Tailwheel • P. Ponk Landing Gear Reinforcement • Floatplane Reinforcement Kit • Extended Baggage Compartment • Dual Middle Jump Seats • Folding 6 Seating Configuration • Alpha Systems Angle of Attack • JPI Engine Monitoring System Empty Weight: 1,849 lbs Useful Load: 1,341 lbs Airframe Total Time: 9,524 hours Serial: 185-0506 Paint completed 2020 Annual August 2025 Damage history: Minor right wing damage during ground handling in the 1970s while in Pacific airline service. Properly repaired with decades of subsequent operation. Right elevator skin replaced and repainted in 2025 following minor hangar (bullet) incident. Engine: Continental IO-470F Total Time: 5,730 hours SMOH: 249 hours GAMI Injectors installed Propeller: McCauley D2A34C58 Time Since Overhaul: 249 hours Avionics: Garmin 150XL GPS Bendix King KX-155 NAV/COM Bendix King KY-197 COM Bendix King KT-79 Transponder Garmin Aera 660 GPS FreeFlight ADS-B JPI EDM-800 Engine Analyzer PS Engineering PM3000 Intercom Audio Panel: KMA-24 Altitude Encoder: Trans-Cal SSD120 Aircraft priced to allow buyer to tailor avionics upgrades if desired. Interior: Selkirk Aviation Interior Trim Panels BAS Shoulder Harnesses Six-place intercom Four folding passenger seats Quickly reconfigurable for passenger or cargo operations Custom leather front and removable mid seats Landing Gear Tires: Alaska Bushwheels 29" tundra tires ABI wheels and brakes Baby Bushwheel tailwheel P. Ponk landing gear reinforcement kit Float/Amphib kit Fuel System: Eagle Fuel Cells installed 2021 STOL / Bush Modifications: Sportsman STOL Leading Edge Micro AeroDynamics Vortex Generators Heads Up Alpha Angle of Attack System Extended Baggage Floatplane Reinforcement Kit Reason for Sale Owner moving east No Brokers
Engine
Engine: Continental IO-470F 260HP Total Time: 5,730 hours SMOH: 249 hours GAMI Injectors installed Propeller: McCauley D2A34C58 Time Since Overhaul: 249 hours
Interior
Selkirk Aviation Interior Trim Panels BAS Shoulder Harnesses Six-place intercom Four folding passenger seats Quickly reconfigurable for passenger or cargo operations Custom leather front and removable mid seats
Exterior
completed 2020 Annual August 2025 Damage history: Minor right wing damage during ground handling in the 1970s while in Pacific airline service
Inspection
Annual August 2025
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison 1 active offer
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chad Crank
trade-a-plane.com
|
$299,500
|
Little Rock, AR | Mar 20, 2026 | — | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 185A
This 1962 Cessna 185A (N969WM) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 9,524 hours on the airframe. There are currently 3 185A aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $160,000 to $354,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $299,500.
The 185A cruises at 145 kts (269 km/h) with a range of 720 nm (1,333 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 17,150 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 15.5 GPH (59 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $85/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $175/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $22,000. With 9,524 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,000 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. Mechanics have filed 7 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 185A — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 185
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 185. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N969WM.
Location & Ownership
Title Status
No FAA title records
Available for US-registered aircraft only
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.
Safety Record
NTSB safety data coming soon.
We'll check N969WM against the NTSB accident database.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 185A
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 7 recent reports for this aircraft type.
INSTALLED PLANE POWER ALTERNATOR CONVERSION KIT, STC SA 10682SC ON AC. DURING OIL CHANGE FOUND ALTERNATOR BRACKET CRACKED TOTOALLY IN HALF. ALTERNATOR HAD ONLY BEEN IN USE 3 WEEKS AND APPROX 45 HRS. (K)
(CAN) DURING A 100 HOUR INSPECTION, FOUND THE NR 2 CYLINDER LOW COMPRESSION, RESULT WAS THE EXHAUST VALVE EDGE WAS BURNED. (TC NR 20070828007)
(CAN) THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE LT FORWARD RUDDER CABLE TO THE RUDDER PEDAL SETUP WAS ORIGINALLY TOO TIGHTLY DONE UP. THE CABLE ATTACHMENT FORK WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FREELY ON END, IN THE FORK, AND BREAK UNDER LOAD. (TC NR 20070502013)
(AUS) VOLTAGE REGULATOR FAULTY. VIBRATING CONTACTS WELDED CLOSED CAUSING OVER VOLTAGE WHICH DAMAGED SOME AVIONICS EQUIPMENT.
(CAN) PROPELLER RECEIVED FOR CORROSION INSPECTION. PROPELLER BLADE FERRULES FOUND CORRODED IN THE THREADED AREA.
THIS AIRCRAFT HAD STC SA 4305WE INCORPORATED, GAR-AERO 6 INCH TO 10 INCH WHEEL ADAPTERS WITH GOODYEAR 8.50-10 6-PLY TIRES. ON LANDING ROLL-OUT ON PAVED RUNWAY, THE LEFT TIRE WENT FLAT CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO GROUND LOOP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ...
INSTALLED FACTORY NEW CONTINENTAL IO-550D ON CESSNA, N1650Z. ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES INTO THE TEST FLIGHT, ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE. THE PLUGS WERE CLEANED, TESTED, AND RESINTALLED. GROUND RUN OKAY AND THE AIRCRAFT ...
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
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