1978 Cessna 185F for sale

1978 Cessna 185F

Single Engine Piston

FOR SALE
$325,000Overpriced
Location Caldwell, ID
Total Time 9,350 hrs
Engine SMOH 35 hrs
Seats 6
Serial # 18503629
Reg # N379JT
Engine Reciprocating
Cruise 145 kts (269 km/h)
ICAO Type C185
✓ FAA Valid ✓ Clean NTSB ✓ Verified recently ⚠ High time

Aircraft Details

Seller reported

Avionics & Equipment

BTH

Garmin G3X with a synthetic vision Garmin G5 backup artificial horizon Garmin GFC 500 auto pilot Garmin GTN 650XI Garmin GNC 355 GPS/COM GARMIN GTX 345R Transponder with Bluetooth capabilities to your device to show weather and traffic

plus ADSB IN OUT Garmin GMA 340 audio panel USB Ports

Description

New price!!! The pride of ownership abounds with this beautiful 185F! Factory float kit Long range fuel 36 hours since factory reman (2025) 36 hours since factory new McCauley prop (2025) 1350# useful load Brand new annual Garmin G3X touch screen Garmin GFC500 autopilot Garmin GTN 650xi Garmin GNC 355 GPS Com Garmin GTX 345R transponder Garmin GMA 340 audio panel Garmin G5 back up artificial horizon Possible Cirrus trade

Engine

36 hours since factory reman IO-520D (2025) 36 hours since factory new prop (2025) 3350 max gross weight with 1350 usable load

Interior

Paint is 30 years old but in great condition 7.5/10 Interior is a 6/10, seats are in great condition, headliner has two small blemishes

Inspection

new annual

Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.

Price Comparison 1 active offer

Source Price Action
Joe Dory Aviation
trade-a-plane.com
$325,000
Joe Dory Aviation
aircraftdealer.com
$325,000
$330,000
Listing Source
globalplanesearch.com
$325,000

Estimate Monthly Payment

Cessna 185F loan calculator

AeroGurus

AeroGurus Data & Analysis

Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis

About This Cessna 185F

This 1978 Cessna 185F (N379JT) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 9,350 hours on the airframe. 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 $325,000.

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. With 9,350 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,000 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.

FAA registration status: Valid. 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

FAA registration: Valid (OWYHEE AIR LLC)
Safety record: 0 NTSB incidents
Airframe: 9,350 hours — verify engine time vs TBO (2,000 hrs)
Budget $232 for pre-purchase inspection

Cessna 185F — Model Specs

Model specification

Standard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.

Seats
6
Cruise Speed
145 kts (269 km/h)
Range
720 nm (1,333 km)
Max Weight
12,500 lbs (5,670 kg)
Useful Load
1,440 lbs (653 kg)
Horsepower
300 HP
Fuel Burn
15.5 GPH (59 L/h)
TBO
2,000 hrs

Estimated Cost of Ownership

AeroGurus estimate

CESSNA 185F

Fuel Burn
15.5 GPH
~$101/hr
Variable Cost
$175/hr
fuel + mx + reserves
Annual Fixed
$22,000/yr
hangar + insurance + annual
Engine Overhaul
$35,000
every 2,000 hrs

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

Registered Owner

OWYHEE AIR LLC

Registration Address

MURPHY, ID

Certificate Issued

2006-02-08

Airworthiness

2012-04-06

FAA Status

Valid

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, updated Mar 15, 2026

Location & Ownership

FAA records

Aircraft Location

Caldwell, ID

Seller reported 109 more aircraft in ID →

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

No incidents found

NTSB database checked for N379JT.

Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 185F

SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.

Landing Gear CRACKED
2025-08-01

UPON INSPECTION AND CLEANING OF THE ABI 3413-01K TAIL WHEEL FORK ASSY, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED. PHOTOS UPON REQUEST.

Power Plant BROKEN
2024-10-03

MOUNTED IN THE RT FRONT POSITION, FOUND BROKEN DURING OIL CHANGE.

Exhaust CRACKED
2021-09-26

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...

Landing Gear BROKEN
2021-09-08

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...

Wings CORRODED
2020-11-15

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 ...

Fuselage CRACKED
2020-07-31

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...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

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.

Price History

2 price events · sources: aircraftdealer.com, globalplanesearch.com

AeroGurus Market Estimate AME

$317,500
Range: $299,875 — $331,225
Confidence: 40%
vs. Market
+2%
Fair Price

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Prices and listings updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data
Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision. Actual transaction prices may differ from asking prices.