1962 Cessna 185A
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedInterior
• No. of Passengers: 1+5 • Standard navy blue leather seats
Exterior
White with Navy Blue Accents
Modifications / STCs
• • Garmin SL40 Comm
• • Garmin 430 GPS
• • Garmin 330 Transponder
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rochelle Govender
avbuyer.com
|
$150,000
|
South Africa | Mar 16, 2026 | — | Active | |
|
Absoluteaviation
avpay.aero
|
Contact for Price
|
South Africa | Apr 05, 2026 | — | Active | |
|
Absolute Aircraft Sales
controller.com
|
$150,000
|
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | Mar 25, 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 (ZS-CVI) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 10,123 hours on the airframe. There are currently 3 185A aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $150,000 to $354,000. This aircraft is priced below the market average at $150,000.
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 10,123 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (1,700 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 registry covers US-registered aircraft (N-numbers).
This aircraft (ZS-CVI) is registered outside the US.
Location & Ownership
Aircraft Location
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
ZA
Seller reported 80 more aircraft in Gauteng →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 database checked for ZS-CVI.
Note: NTSB covers US-registered aircraft (N-numbers). This aircraft is registered in a non-US country (ZS-CVI). Safety records from the national aviation authority may not be included in our 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.
Price History
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