1968 Cessna 185E
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
VFRICOM IC-210 COM 1 ICOM IC-210 COM 2 Garmin GTX 327 Transponder Garmin Aera 500 Touchscreen GPS Garmin GMA 340 Audio Panel
Description
1968 Cessna A185E - Aircraft Description This is a well-equipped and updated Cessna A185E that has been thoughtfully built out for serious utility and amphibious operations. With 1,938 hours total time, this aircraft has been maintained and upgraded to a standard that goes well beyond what you typically find in a machine of this vintage. Floats Gear The aircraft rides on EDO 2790 amphibious floats. The wheel gear was completely rebuilt in 2021 and 2022, making the amphib system current and well-maintained. Performance Fuel Cruise speed sits at approximately 115 knots with a fuel burn of 12-14 gallons per hour. Long-range fuel tanks bring total capacity to 78 gallons, giving this aircraft a realistic endurance of 5-6 hours - a genuine operational advantage for remote or cross-country missions. STOL Aerodynamic Modifications This aircraft has been set up for serious short-field and backcountry performance. Installed modifications include: Holten STOL kit Vortex generators Wingtip extensions Bubble windows for enhanced ground and water visibility Together, these upgrades meaningfully improve low-speed handling, visibility, and short-field capability. Maintenance The aircraft will be sold with a fresh annual inspection. All records are available.
Engine
Engine Propeller Power comes from a Continental IO-520-D, currently sitting at approximately 400 hours since major overhaul. The aircraft is also equipped with a Seaplane West exhaust muffler, which improves exhaust flow, reduces back pressure, and offers enhanced durability - particularly relevant in float and amphibious operations where corrosion resistance matters. The Seaplane West engine mount is installed as well, a reinforced replacement for the factory mount designed to handle the additional stress loads of float and amphib operations. Factory mounts on the 185 are a known inspection and wear item over time, making this a substantive upgrade rather than a cosmetic one - both in terms of structural integrity and future buyer confidence. The Hartzell 3-blade propeller was overhauled in April 2021 and currently shows just 58 hours since overhaul.
Interior
The aircraft was painted following the 2010 rebuild. The interior was refreshed at the time of the rebuild, with front seat foam and covers redone, and the rear seats were updated again in April 2021 with new Altree Dodge rear seats and Selkirk interior.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Raven Aircraft Sales
trade-a-plane.com
|
$335,000
|
Bonnyville, AB, Canada | Apr 25, 2026 | — | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 185E
This 1968 Cessna 185E (CF-GCG) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 1,938 hours on the airframe. There are currently 5 185E aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $185,000 to $335,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $335,000.
The 185E 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 1,938 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has 62 hours remaining to engine TBO .
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. There are 3 airworthiness directives applicable to this aircraft type — review AD compliance carefully before purchase. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 185E — 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 (CF-GCG) is registered outside the US.
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 CF-GCG against the NTSB accident database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 185E
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 3 recent ADs found for this aircraft type.
Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 185E
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
(CAN) WHILE PERFORMING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE PILOT STATED THE VACUUM FLUCTUATED. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE SPLINES ON THE VACUUM PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW PUMP,AND FUNCTION CHECK WAS CARRIED OUT SATISFACTORY...
(CAN) DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE PILOT SEAT BACK CAM WAS NOTICED TO BE LOOSE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CAM-SEAT BACK ADJUST ARM WAS BROKEN, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL REPLACED THE CAM WITH A SERVICEABLE CAM TO RECTIFY THE DEFECT. ALL WOR...
(CAN) WHILE PERFORMING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, A CRACK WAS NOTICED ON THE RUDDER TORQUE TUBE ATTACHMENT ARM, THE ARM WHICH CONNECTS THE RUDDER CABLE TO THE RUDDER TQ TUBE. THE ATTACHMENT ARM WAS CRACKED WHERE IT IS WELDED TO THE RUDDER TORQUE TUBE, T...
(CAN) DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE NR 6 CYLINDER FORWARD UPPER THROUGH STUD NUT WAS FOUND SPLIT. THE NUT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW NUT, PN SA652541, BN 143819, AND TORQUE TO THE CORRECT VALUE IAW THE APPLICABLE MM.
(CAN) DURING A ROUTINE 100 HOUR INSPECTION, THE FUEL METERING ROD AND LINK ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND EXCESSIVELY WORN. THE METERING ROD AND LINK ASSY WERE REPLACED WITH A SERVICEABLE ROD ASSY TO RECTIFY THE DEFECT. PART TT 677.7 HRS (TC# 20140908019)
(CAN) UPON REMOVING ACFT FROM WATER FOR WINTER STORAGE, ACFT ENGINE WAS INHIBITED/SCREEN CHECKED. COMPRESSIONS OF ALL CYLINDER WERE CHECKED, CYLINDER NR 1 WAS CRACKED SEPARATING BETWEEN COOLING FINS ON HEAD. CYLINDER 2, 4, 6 WERE CRACKED BETWEEN TO...
(CAN) IMPULSE COUPLING CAM CRACKED AT KEYWAY, FOUND EXCESSIVE ANTISEIZE AND EXCESSIVE RETAINER NUT TORQUE AT FACTORY ASSY, BOTH CAPACITOR O-RING SEALS ROTTED BY OZONE (3-NEW NEEDLE BEARING CAME WITH LIGHT WHITE GRERASE WHICH ON 1ST 100HRS INSPECTI...
(CAN) DURING REASSEMBLY AFTER REPAIR, THE LT MAIN GEAR SADDLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE CORROSION ON LOWER FORWARD EDGE. UPON A CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE AREA, A STRESS CRACK WAS DISCOVERED UNDER THE CORROSION. THE GEAR SADDLE WAS R & R WITH NEW TO RECTIFY ...
(CAN) PROPELLER LEAKING RED DYE. INSPECTION OF PROP FOUND CRACKED HUB.
(CAN) EXHAUST Y PIPE, CRACKED INTERNALLY AT THE JUNCTION OF LT AND RT HAND EXHAUST BANK. IF MATERIAL BREAKS FREE IT WILL GO DIRECTLY INTO THE INLET OF THE TURBO CHARGER. THIS EXHAUST SYS IS MFG AND INSTALLED UNDER STC SE00215DE AND STC SA00214DE.
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
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