Cessna A185F Aircraft in Texas
Texas has one of the largest active GA pilot populations in the US, with extensive aircraft infrastructure across Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio metros and strong support networks for most major aircraft brands. Major flight schools, dealer networks, MRO facilities and overhaul shops are concentrated here.
4 used Cessna A185F aircraft for sale in Texas · 6-seat · $255K – $899K · updated 6 hours ago
About the Cessna A185F
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 A185F Specifications
Model specThe Cessna A185F 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).
4 Cessna A185F For Sale
There are currently 4 used Cessna A185F for sale, ranging from $255,000 to $899,500, with a median asking price of $332,551.
Compare Cessna A185F
See how the Cessna A185F stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Cessna A185F Price & Cost
How much does a Cessna A185F cost? Used A185F prices: $255K – $899K, average $454K (median $332K), across 4 priced of 4 active listings.
Based on 11 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 A185F
Every Cessna A185F 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 A185F
Why is the Cessna A185F Skywagon so popular for bush flying?
What are the known issues with the Cessna 185 Skywagon?
What does a Cessna A185F cost to buy and operate?
Cessna A185F Inventory by Country
| United States | 49 |
| Canada | 13 |
| South Africa | 2 |
| Norway | 1 |
| Finland | 1 |
| Switzerland | 1 |
Cessna A185F 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 A185F by Price
| Under $200k | 9 |
| Under $300k | 33 |
| Under $500k | 55 |
Recently Sold Cessna A185F
| 1978 185 | $495,000 |
| 1972 185E | $260,479 |
| 1973 185 | $299,000 |
| 1980 A185F | $269,000 |
Cessna A185F Safety Record
Across all A185F variants, 308 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.
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2026 | Everglades City, FL | Fatal (1) | — |
| Aug 23, 2025 | Lakeview, OR | Incident | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, in gusting crosswind conditions. |
| Aug 22, 2025 | Bangor, ME | Fatal (1) | — |
| Aug 18, 2025 | Haines, AK | Incident | The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing area resulting in an on-ground collision with an obscured log and a main … |
| Jul 19, 2025 | Lansing, MI | Incident | The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing in a crossw… |
NTSB records 1982–2026. Includes all Cessna A185F variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.