Cessna 185F Aircraft 1980s
1980s piston singles are pre-FADEC, pre-glass-cockpit airframes — Cessna 172/182, Piper PA-28 series, Bonanza V35/F33, Mooney M20J 201 from this period. Most have undergone at least one engine overhaul and avionics refresh (ADS-B Out retrofit, GPS upgrade). Pre-buy focus: airframe corrosion, AD compliance (especially recent wing-spar ADs on 210/PA-28), Lycoming or Continental engine condition, panel revision currency.
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).
Market. 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.
4 used Cessna 185F aircraft for sale 1980s · 6-seat · Used median asking $318,000 · updated 13 hours ago
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).
Cessna 185F for Sale
Cessna 185F asking prices range from $190,000 to $450,000, with a median of $318,000.
Cessna 185F Variants
| Variant | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Price range | Best for | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 185 | 1961–1985 | 6 | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | $140K – $378K | The 185 Skywagon is the high-power, high-payload Cessna taildragger — choose a later A185F for the most refined airframe and the IO-520 engine, or an earlier model for a lower entry price. If you need less power and a lower running cost, the lighter Cessna 180 Skywagon → covers the same utility role. | 22 |
| A185E | 1971–1985 | 6 | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | — | An early Skywagon taildragger — a powerful six-seat bush and float single that holds its value strongly. | 2 |
| A185F | 1973–1985 | 6 | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | $200K – $425K | The most numerous late Skywagon — a six-seat taildragger for serious bush and float work that holds its value strongly. | 19 |
Compare Cessna 185F
Detailed comparisons for the Cessna 185F are being prepared.
Browse all Cessna models →Cessna 185F Price & Cost
How much does a Cessna 185F cost? Used 185F prices: $190K – $450K, average $318K (median $318K), across 16 priced of 4 active 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.
The 185F shares the Skywagon bush-cost story — Continental IO-520 engine time, plus spar, firewall and corrosion checks on hard short-field and float use. Float-equipped examples carry a premium and extra inspection items, so documentation and airframe condition matter more than the headline price.
Buying a Used Cessna 185F
Buying a Cessna 185F comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
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?
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What is the difference between the Cessna 180 and 185?
Is the Cessna 185F still in production?
Cessna 185F Inventory by Country
| United States | 15 |
| Canada | 2 |
Cessna 185F Inventory by State
| Oregon | 4 |
| Texas | 4 |
| Alaska | 4 |
| Illinois | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 2 |
| Washington | 2 |
| Florida | 2 |
| Idaho | 2 |
Cessna 185F by Price
| Under $200k | 7 |
| Under $300k | 36 |
| Under $500k | 63 |
Other Cessna Aircraft
| Cessna Citation III / VII | 26 |
| Cessna Citation II | 21 |
| Cessna Citation I | 12 |
| Cessna Caravan | 8 |
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.
106
Total Events
77
Incidents
6
Serious
8
Fatal
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.