1977 Cessna 185F
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedDescription
TOTAL TIME: 1801.0 Hours TSMOH: 405.2 Hours (new oil and fuel hoses) (Kenmore) TSPOH: 148.7 Hours (McCauley C-401, 86" BLACK MAC) TSTOP: 258.9 Hours (Overhauled Magnetos, Exhaust) Turbo: 216.7 Hours (Main Turbo overhaul) Avionics: * King KMA24H TSO Audio Panel w/3 light Marker Beacon * Apollo GX55 GPS * TKM MX170B NAV/COM w/glide slope indicator * King KX170B NAV/COM * King KT76A Mode C Transponder * uAvionix Mode S OUT SkyBeacon * King KR85 TSO ADF Equipment: * 14 VOLT w/ Radio Master Switch * TURBO-TECH Turbo Normalizer w/extended exhaust * A.R.T. Wing Extensions * Sportsman STOL Kit * Mico VG's * Flap Aileron Gap Seals * Digital Fuel Flow (Gallon Used/Remaining) * Insight Graphic Engine Monitor w/ turbo intake temp. * Davtron M811B Digital Clock * Pulsar Recognition Lights (pulsating) * ACK 406 E.L.T. w/remote * Long Range 74 Gallon Fuel * Monarch Screw-On Fuel Caps (4) * Precise Flow Pilot/Co-Pilot Air Vents * Bubble Windows each with dual latches * Vertical Card Compass * Para-Cord Grab Handles (color coordinated) * New Interior Plastics + Carbon Fiber front panels * New Interior Headliner * Rosen 3 axis pilot/copilot sun visors * Pilot/Copilot 4 point inertia shoulder harness reels (Pacific Scientific) * Pilot Secondary Seat Stop * Pilot/Co-pilot Intercom with Push to Talk * Door Stewards pneumatic door openers Pilot/Co-Pilot * Exterior under-wing lights * Landing Gear under-wing mirrors * Polished Aluminum Tail Grab Handles * Wing Strobes Beacon Strobe * Standard Exhaust (if you want to remove the turbo) * Boarding/Fuel Steps * Landing Taxi Light Lens Covers w/ AERO L.E.D. Lights Landing Gear Propulsion Options: * EDO 3500 Amphibious Floats (Excellent Condition) with removable OUTBOARD MOTOR MOUNT dual oars * Fixed gear includes brand new gear legs that have never been installed. Cleveland wheels, brakes, 8.50/6 tires, and Scott tailwheel. * Optional ABI 10"X10" Alaska Bush wheels with 31" Aero Classics. * Optional XP Mods 5.00/5, 14" tailwheel. * Optional McCauley locking tailwheel. November Eight Six Sugar Sugar is absolutely gorgeous in and out. Extremely low time, solid airframe (no creeks or moans). The exterior of this aircraft has been ceramic coated and shows as a 10 on a one to ten scale. The interior is new and gorgeous. The interior included new plastics/carbon fiber and headliner. The interior, with center jumps seats brought aft a few inches for clear span entry door and comfort. Middle bench seat also upholstered to match. Also, the 5th and 6th aft seats have removable Cessna factory jump seat backs that slide out for ease of loading and unloading. The engine, overhauled by Kenmore Air Harbor in Seattle, Washington is in excellent operating order that includes a TURBO-TECH turbo normalizer (normally aspirated exhaust also included, less than 100 hours). This allows for high altitude lake operations and excellent performance up through the flight levels. This aircraft has all of the best options for performance. The gross weight has been increased with the addition of the A.R.T. wing extensions. The optimized wing includes all the best STOL devices. The 1977 year model Cessna A185F is the most desired year. This is the last year of the 14 volt electrical system and the first year of the late style instrument panel. This aircraft also has an avionics master switch that was not an option until the following year. It would take months, maybe years to duplicate the equipment on this aircraft. Everything is done except for your desired avionics. Also available, Sorensen 90 gallon belly tank with spray gear. This will allow customers in other countries to import without tariffs. Price: $349,900.00 Subtract $10K off the price without the amphibious floats. Float removal can be accomplished on location.
Interior
is new and gorgeous
Exterior
under-wing lights * Landing Gear under-wing mirrors * Polished Aluminum Tail Grab Handles * Wing Strobes Beacon Strobe * Standard Exhaust (if you want to remove the turbo) * Boarding/Fuel Steps * Landing Taxi Light Lens Covers w/ AERO L.E.D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Aero Banc of America
trade-a-plane.com
|
$349,900
|
Camarillo, CA | Mar 20, 2026 | — | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 185F
This 1977 Cessna 185F (N86SS) is a 6-seat single engine piston . There are currently 11 185F aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $190,000 to $450,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $349,900.
The 185F cruises at 145 kts (269 km/h) with a range of 720 nm (1,333 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights.
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.
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 185F — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 185F
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 185F. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N86SS.
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 N86SS against the NTSB accident database.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 185F
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.
INSTALLED NEW ACORN WELDING LTD. EXHAUST STACKS AND MUFFLER ON FACTORY NEW IO-550D ENGINE. BOTH EXHAUST STACKS CRACKED WITHIN 60 HOURS; REPLACED BOTH STACKS WITH NEW ACORN STACKS; ONE OF THE NEW STACKS CRACKED (1" HOLE) WITHIN 30 HOURS. REMOVED FRO...
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.
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.