Cessna A185F 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 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.
18 used Cessna A185F aircraft for sale in United States · 6-seat · Used median asking $315,000 · updated 13 hours ago
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).
Cessna A185F for Sale
Browse all listings →Cessna A185F asking prices range from $200,000 to $425,000, with a median of $315,000 (market reference $265,000).
Cessna A185F 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 |
| 185F | 1973–1985 | 6 | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | $190K – $450K | A late Skywagon — a powerful six-seat taildragger for serious bush and float work that holds its value strongly. | 16 |
Compare Cessna A185F
Detailed comparisons for the Cessna A185F are being prepared.
Browse all Cessna models →Cessna A185F Price & Cost
How much does a Cessna A185F cost? Used A185F prices: $200K – $425K, average $315K (median $315K); market reference $265K, across 19 priced of 18 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 A185F is bush-and-float ownership: hard short-field, ski and float use put the spar, firewall, gearbox and corrosion at the centre of any pre-buy. The Continental IO-520 engine time dominates running cost, and float-equipped examples command a premium with extra inspection items. Documentation and airframe condition matter more than the headline price.
Buying a Used Cessna A185F
Buying a Cessna A185F 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 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 | 18 |
| Canada | 6 |
| Switzerland | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 |
Cessna A185F Inventory by State
| Oregon | 4 |
| Texas | 4 |
| Alaska | 4 |
| Illinois | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 2 |
| Washington | 2 |
| Florida | 2 |
| Idaho | 2 |
Cessna A185F by Price
| Under $200k | 7 |
| Under $300k | 36 |
| Under $500k | 63 |
Recently Sold Cessna A185F
| 1980 A185F | $269,000 |
Other Cessna Aircraft
| Cessna Citation III / VII | 26 |
| Cessna Citation II | 21 |
| Cessna Citation I | 12 |
| Cessna Caravan | 8 |
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.
308
Total Events
215
Incidents
13
Serious
45
Fatal
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.