Cessna 188 Aircraft in United States

United States is the world's largest GA market with the highest concentration of aircraft, dealers, MRO facilities and flight infrastructure. FAA certification standards, N-registration. Most TBM/PC-12/Cirrus production aircraft sold in the US used market are N-registered with full FAA documentation.

The Cessna 188 is Cessna's agricultural aircraft — a single-seat, low-wing crop-duster and sprayer built from 1966 to 1983, sold as the AGwagon, AGpickup, AGtruck and turbocharged AGhusky. Designed for spraying and dusting, it carries a chemical hopper and rugged systems for low-level agricultural work. See the live price range and median above for the Cessna 188 listings currently on the market.

Cessna 188 aircraft for sale

1 used Cessna 188 aircraft for sale in United States · 1-seat · Reference price ~$120,000 ($70,000–$220,000) · updated 10 hours ago

Cessna 188 Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 188 is a 1-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 115 kt (213 km/h), a range of 400 nm (741 km), and a useful load of 2,000 lbs (907 kg).

Performance
Cruise115 kt (213 km/h)
Max Speed128 kt (237 km/h)
Range400 nm (741 km)
Service Ceiling14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineCONTINENTAL O-470-R
Horsepower300 HP
Fuel Capacity75.0 gal (284 L)
Fuel Burn15.0 GPH (57 L/h)
TBO1,500 hrs
ICAO TypeC188
Weights & Seats
Seats1
Max Gross Weight3,300 lbs (1,497 kg)
Useful Load2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Production1966–1985

Cessna 188 for Sale

Cessna 188 asking prices range from $110,000 to $110,000, with a median of $110,000 (market reference $120,000).

1979 Cessna T188C

1979 Cessna T188C for sale
$110,000
For Sale
Total Time 7,204
Reg# N2689J US
Location Colby, KS
Via High Planes Aviation
Multiple sources

1969 Cessna A188A

1969 Cessna A188A for sale
Contact for Price
Auction
Total Time 3,893
Reg# N3561Q US
Location Ashley, ND
Via Ulmer Auction Service
Multiple sources

Compare Cessna 188

See how the Cessna 188 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

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Cessna 188 Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 188 cost? Used 188 prices: from $110K; market reference $120K, across 1 priced of 1 active listings.

Cessna 188 Price Guide

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.

Cessna 188 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (15.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$9,300/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$20,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$160/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,500 hrs)$35,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The Continental engine burns around 15 gph at typical ag power settings. Agricultural annuals include all standard items plus hopper and spray-system inspection - higher labor cost than a comparably powered non-ag aircraft. Chemical corrosion is the primary long-term maintenance driver; early detection through thorough inspection reduces cost. Ag operators manage fuel as a per-acre operational variable rather than a per-hour cost.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 188

Buying a Cessna 188 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna 188 AgWagon is a single-seat, fixed-gear, taildragger agricultural aircraft built for aerial application - crop spraying, spreading, and ag work. Powered by a Continental engine (early AgWagons used the 230-hp O-470; later AgWagon 300 and A188 variants the 300-hp IO-520), it cruises around 115 knots and carries a large hopper and chemical payload on a durable, low-cost ag platform.

Single-seat agricultural platform. The 188 carries one person - the pilot - and is not a personal transport aircraft. Its large useful load reflects hopper and chemical payload capacity, not passenger seating. The taildragger configuration gives ground clearance for the spray equipment and the ability to operate from rough, unimproved ag strips.

Ag aircraft maintenance. Agricultural aircraft accumulate chemical exposure that standard GA aircraft do not. A used 188 pre-buy must include corrosion assessment of the airframe, hopper, and spray system for chemical damage not always apparent from the logs. The Continental engines are well-supported; the ag-specific components require familiarity with agricultural-aviation maintenance standards.

Buy it if you fly aerial application work where the 188's hopper capacity, power, and conventional-gear ag-strip capability match your operation. This is a commercial agricultural aircraft, not a personal or utility single.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 188

What is the Cessna 188?
The Cessna 188 is an agricultural aircraft — a single-seat, low-wing crop-duster and sprayer built from 1966 to 1983, sold as the AGwagon, AGpickup, AGtruck and turbocharged AGhusky.
What is the Cessna 188 used for?
It is a purpose-built agricultural aircraft for crop spraying and dusting, carrying a chemical hopper and rugged systems for low-level agricultural work.
How much does a Cessna 188 cost?
Used 188 prices depend on engine time, hopper and spray equipment, and overall condition for agricultural work. See the live price range and median above.
How many seats does a Cessna 188 have?
One — it is a single-seat agricultural aircraft.
What are the Cessna 188 variants?
The line includes the AGwagon, AGpickup, AGtruck and the turbocharged AGhusky, differing in power, hopper size and equipment for agricultural operations.
What engine does the Cessna 188 use?
A Continental engine on most models, with a turbocharged version on the AGhusky for better performance in hot-and-high agricultural work.
Is the Cessna 188 still in production?
No — production ended in 1983. Many 188s remain in agricultural service, supported by the Cessna and Continental parts networks.

Cessna 188 Inventory by Country

United States2
Colombia1

Cessna 188 by Price

Under $200k2
Under $300k2
Under $500k2

Cessna 188 by Decade

1960s1
1970s1

Cessna 188 Safety Record

Across all 188 variants, 259 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2026. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

259

Total Events

174

Incidents

27

Serious

25

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Jan 25, 2026 Hatillo Palma, OF Minor —
Aug 02, 2025 Guayabal-Meta, OF Incident —
May 29, 2025 Trinidad Casanare, Fatal —
May 23, 2025 Pasaje, OF Serious —
Apr 23, 2025 Sangkiang Village, Fatal (1) —

NTSB records 1982–2026. Includes all Cessna 188 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

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.
Listings last refreshed 10 hours ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data