1973 Cessna A185F
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
Garmin G500 TXi Primary Flight Display w/ Engine Indicating System Garmin GTN 750 Xi GPS/Comm/Nav Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot w/ SmartGlide Garmin FlightStream 510
Bluetooth Connectivity for Flight Plans and More Garmin GI 275 Backup Attitude Indicator Garmin GI 275 CDI Garmin Angle Of Attack Garmin GMA 35C Remote Audio Panel Garmin GTX 345 ADS-B In/Out Transponder Garmin GSB 15 USB Charging Port Garmin GNC 255A Comm Mid-Continent Clock/USB Charger Artex 406 MHz ELT Landplane Gear Included
Description
Rare opportunity to own an incredibly low-time, 2-owner Skywagon with beautifully upgraded panel and interior. No accident history. This unicorn was purchased brand-new by a renowned doctor, who modified it in 1975 (including a new all-white paint scheme) for volunteer medical work but never put the airplane to work for that purpose. N53044 has since been impeccably updated by its current owner with a custom avionics suite featuring the latest and greatest Garmin avionics, including G500 TXi touchscreen primary flight display with engine indicating system. Garmin GTN 750 Xi touchscreen GPS/nav/comm, Garmin GFC 500 autopilot w/ SmartGlide, Garmin GTX 345 remote ADS-B In/Out transponder, Garmin Flightstream 510 for wirelessly sending flight plans, and so much more. Beautifully updated interior features woven vinyl flooring, coordinating sidewalls, and charcoal & light gray seating with diamond quilting across all four seats. N53044 is currently on Wipline 3730 amphibious floats. Landplane gear is also included. Don’t miss this chance to be the next custodian of this amazing example of Cessna’s legendary 185 Skywagon! Call for Details.
Engine
Engine: 650 Hrs TT SNEW Continental IO-520D24 Propeller: 50 TT SNEW Hartzell HC-C3YR-1RF / F8068-2 80" Metal Modifications Conversions: Wipline 3730 Amphibious Floats Observer Doors Pilot/Copilot Whelen LED lighting - Landing, Taxi, Nav, Beacon BAS Shoulder Harnesses BAS Stowable Rear Seats Knots2U Flap Gap Seals M-20 Air/Oil Separator Bubble Windows Door Stewards Flint Aero Auxiliary Fuel Tanks Monarch Fuel Caps Mission Aviation Fellowship Dual Brake Installation Annual Status: 07/2025
Propeller
50 TT SNEW Hartzell HC-C3YR-1RF / F8068-2 80” Metal
Interior
Custom Interior – Charcoal/light gray leather seating w/ diamond quilting, coordinating sidewall accents, woven vinyl flooring.
Exterior
Overall White with Gray and Green Striping.
Inspection
07/2025
Modifications / STCs
• Landplane Gear Included
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison Listed on multiple marketplaces
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wipaire
controller.com
|
Contact for price
|
Punta Gorda, FL | Apr 19, 2026 | 90 days | Active |
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Cessna A185F loan calculator
AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna A185F
This 1973 Cessna A185F (N53044) is a 6-seat single engine piston . There are currently 28 A185F aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $200,000 to $899,500.
The A185F 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 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $96/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.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna A185F — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA A185F
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA A185F. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N53044.
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 N53044 against the NTSB accident database.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna A185F
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
UPON INSPECTION AND CLEANING OF THE ABI 3413-01K TAIL WHEEL FORK ASSY, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED. PHOTOS UPON REQUEST.
MOUNTED IN THE RT FRONT POSITION, FOUND BROKEN DURING OIL CHANGE.
WHILE EXECUTING A WHEEL LANDING ON RWY 29 AT AWO, UPON TOUCH DOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A GENTLE DRIFT TO THE RIGHT WHICH COULD NOT BE CORRECTED WITH LEFT BRAKE OR LEFT RUDDER. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, EXITED THE RUNWAY ONTO THE GRAS...
THE AIRCRAFT CABIN HEADLINER WAS REMOVED FOR MAINTENANCE. AFTER REMOVAL, SEVERE INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE CARRY THROUGH SPAR. THIS RENDERED THE SPAR UNAIRWORTHY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED ...
CRACKS WERE DISCOVERED IN BOTH LH AND RH TAILWHEEL STEERING BELLCRANK BRACKETS DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. PN-0712039-1. THESE BRACKETS HOLD THE BELLCRANK THAT COMBINES THE INPUT FOR AIR RUDDER AND TAIL WHEEL STEERING. CRACKS ORIGINATED IN BOTH BRACKE...
THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.
THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.
THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.
THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.
THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
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