Cessna 185F Aircraft (Skywagon)
11 used Cessna 185F aircraft for sale · 6-seat · $190K – $450K · updated 8 hours ago
About the Cessna 185F
The Cessna 185 Skywagon is the definitive American bush plane — a four-seat, high-wing taildragger that carried Alaska, delivered missionaries, and hauled freight across the world's roughest terrain from 1961 to 1985. Powered by a Continental IO-520-D (300 HP), the 185 delivers 150 KTAS cruise with a useful load exceeding 1,100 lbs on wheels and serious payload even on floats. With approximately 4,400 built, the 185 is no longer in production — and surviving examples appreciate in value year after year.
What makes the 185 legendary. The tailwheel configuration keeps the propeller clear of debris on gravel strips. The 300 HP Continental provides the power-to-weight ratio needed for short-field operations with a full load. On Edo or Wipaire floats, the 185 is the most popular bush floatplane in North America after the de Havilland Beaver. The 185 can operate from gravel bars, glaciers, tundra, and unimproved strips where nosewheel aircraft cannot go.
Key variants. The 185 (1961-1967) used the Continental IO-470-F (260 HP). The A185E/F (1966-1985) upgraded to the IO-520-D (300 HP). The A185F is the most desirable variant — 300 HP, later-production refinements, and the most remaining airframe life. The 180 Skywagon is the smaller sibling with a Continental O-470 (230 HP) — less power but lighter, simpler, and often cheaper.
Buying advice. Corrosion is the primary concern on any 185, especially float-equipped aircraft. Inspect belly skins, float attach fittings, wing strut attachments, and lower fuselage longerons. Continental IO-520 engines are reliable but check for case through-bolt corrosion and crankshaft counterweight wear. The 185 tailwheel spring and tailwheel housing wear from hard landings on rough strips. Fabric condition on fabric-covered ailerons (some models). Float condition (Edo 2960 or Wipaire 3000) dramatically affects value — fresh floats can cost $30,000-$60,000.
Market. Cessna 180: $80,000-$180,000. Cessna 185 on wheels: $100,000-$200,000. A185F on amphibious floats: $180,000-$350,000. Premium examples with fresh engine, floats, and modern avionics: $250,000-$400,000+. A Cessna 185 for sale is an appreciating asset — these aircraft are not being made anymore, and demand from bush operators and adventure pilots only grows.
Cessna 185F Specifications
Model specThe Cessna 185F is a 6-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 145 kt (269 km/h), a range of 720 nm (1,333 km), and a useful load of 1,440 lbs (653 kg).
11 Cessna 185F For Sale
Browse all 11 listings →There are currently 11 used Cessna 185F for sale, ranging from $190,000 to $450,000, with a median asking price of $325,000.
Compare Cessna 185F
See how the Cessna 185F stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Cessna 185F Price & Cost
How much does a Cessna 185F cost? Used 185F prices: $190K – $450K, average $312K (median $325K), across 11 priced of 11 active listings.
Based on 3 priced listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Buying a Used Cessna 185F
Every Cessna 185F faces a mandatory 2,000-hour overhaul, so the single biggest factor in used price is how much time remains before that overhaul is due — a fresh-overhaul airframe can be worth a large share of the $35,000 overhaul cost more than one approaching its limit.
What to check before buying
- Time to overhaul — hours and years remaining to the 2,000-hour limit; this dominates resale value more than total time.
- Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records; missing logs cut value and complicate financing.
- Damage history — any prior accident, hard landing or blade strike; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
- Avionics — a glass panel vs steam gauges materially changes price.
- Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 185F
What is the Cessna 185F?
How much does a Cessna 185F cost?
What engine does the Cessna 185F use?
Can the Cessna 185F fly on floats?
How many seats does a Cessna 185F have?
What is the difference between the Cessna 180 and 185?
Is the Cessna 185F still in production?
Cessna 185F Inventory by Country
| United States | 49 |
| Canada | 13 |
| South Africa | 2 |
| Norway | 1 |
| Finland | 1 |
| Switzerland | 1 |
Cessna 185F Inventory by State
| Texas | 5 |
| Alaska | 3 |
| Florida | 2 |
| Idaho | 2 |
| Louisiana | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 2 |
| Oregon | 2 |
| South Carolina | 2 |
| Washington | 2 |
| Arizona | 2 |
Cessna 185F by Price
| Under $200k | 9 |
| Under $300k | 33 |
| Under $500k | 55 |
Recently Sold Cessna 185F
| 1978 185 | $495,000 |
| 1972 185E | $260,479 |
| 1973 185 | $299,000 |
| 1980 A185F | $269,000 |
Cessna 185F Safety Record
Across all 185F variants, 106 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2007. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 06, 2007 | Port Alsworth, AK | Minor | The pilot's flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain while maneuver… |
| Jun 22, 2006 | Bettles, AK | Serious | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision w… |
| Jun 15, 2006 | Anchorage, AK | Incident | The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an emergency landing and an in-flight collision w… |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Bettles, AK | Incident | The pilot's inadequate compensation for a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a loss of control and an inadvertent ground… |
| Apr 28, 2005 | Anchorage, AK | Incident | A total loss of engine power during descent due to a loose mixture control linkage, and the pilot/owner's failure to mai… |
NTSB records 1982–2007. Includes all Cessna 185F variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.