CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE Model Guide
CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE · Model Guide
Overview
The CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE is a single-engine piston floatplane with a 300 hp Continental IO-520-U and a 2-bladed propeller. The supplement covered here applies to Aerocet 3500 and 3500L floats. Cruise is 105 kts, range is 600 nm and max takeoff weight is 3350 lbs.
- Cruises at 105 kts on 12 gph, with a listed range of 600 nm and a service ceiling of 18000 ft.
- Max takeoff and landing weight is 3350 lbs. Useful load is 1250 lbs, and each float holds up to 100 lbs of baggage.
- Flown in the Normal category only. Stalls are 60 kts flaps up and 55 kts flaps down at 3350 lbs.
- Check the floats for dents, cracks and punctures, and pump out every float compartment before flying.
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Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 48 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Engine (hp) ·
- 300
- Height (ft) ·
- 8
- Length (ft) ·
- 26
- Wingspan (ft) ·
- 36
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,600
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 38
- Max ramp weight (lb) ·
- 3,362
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 3,350
Performance
- Range (nm) ·
- 600
- Fuel burn (gph) ·
- 12
- Max speed (kt) ·
- 130
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 105
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 690
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 18,000
- Landing distance (ft) ·
- 800
- Takeoff distance (ft) ·
- 1,200
V-speeds
- VA_KTS ·
- 115
- VX_KTS ·
- 75
- VY_KTS ·
- 85
- VFE_KTS ·
- 110
- VNE_KTS ·
- 179
- VNO_KTS ·
- 143
- VS1_KTS ·
- 60
- BEST_GLIDE_SPEED_KTS ·
- 70
Weight & balance
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 1,250
- Cg aft limit (in) ·
- 46.5
- Max ramp weight (lb) ·
- 3,362
- Baggage per float (lb) ·
- 100
- Max landing weight (lb) ·
- 3,350
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 3,350
- Cg forward limit at 2200 lbs (in) ·
- 35.1
- Cg forward limit at 3350 lbs (in) ·
- 41.9
What does the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE carry?
The CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE has a 1250 lb useful load and a 3350 lb max takeoff weight. Each float holds up to 100 lbs of baggage. Check the CG range every time you load it.
How fast and how far does the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE fly?
The CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE cruises at 105 kts, burning 12 gph, with a listed range of 600 nm. Its listed top speed is 130 kts and its service ceiling is 18000 ft.
What should I check before flying the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE?
On the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE, inspect the floats and their attachments for dents, cracks and punctures. Pump out each float compartment, check the water rudders visually, and confirm they move freely and are secure.
What is the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE Model Guide?
The CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE Model Guide is a model guide for the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE, dated 2026.
What year was the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE Model Guide published?
The CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE Model Guide — the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
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In this document
Float setup and what changes
The Aerocet 3500 or 3500L floats replace the landing gear and add water rudders. The Cessna seaplane kit is also required. It adds a structural V brace, extra fuselage structure, a rudder centering spring, extra corrosion proofing, stainless cables and hoisting provisions. The supplement must be carried in the airplane.
Loading and center of gravity
CG limits are 41.9 to 46.5 inches aft of datum at 3350 lbs. At 2200 lbs or less the range is 35.1 to 46.5 inches, with a straight line between the two points. Max ramp (dock) weight is 3362 lbs. Float baggage is limited to 100 lbs per float, so check CG when loading. Use the actual weight and balance form for this airplane's empty weight.
Training and checkout
A CAP seaplane syllabus for the single engine sea rating uses 11 hours of ground training and 10.5 hours of flight training. Alaska Wing CAP rules treat the C-185 as a specialty aircraft. They require a type and configuration checkout, and 25 hours in type and configuration to instruct.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- Keep water rudders up except when water taxiing. Put them down after landing and check them before starting the engine.
- If a float compartment floods, shift people and baggage away from the damaged side to keep the airplane over the buoyant compartments. Excess water in a compartment means look for a leak.
- Altitude loss during stall recovery may be as much as 200 feet. Land slightly tail low and hold the control wheel full aft through deceleration.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE Model Guide The CESSNA 185 FLOATPLANE is a single-engine piston floatplane with a 300 hp Continental IO-520-U and a 2-bladed propeller. The supplement covered here applies to Aerocet 3500 and 3500L floats. Cruise is 105 kts, range is 600 nm and max takeoff weight is 3350 lbs. • Cruises at 105 kts on 12 gph, with a listed range of 600 nm and a service ceiling of 18000 ft. • Max takeoff and landing weight is 3350 lbs. Useful load is 1250 lbs, and each float holds up to 100 lbs of baggage. • Flown in the Normal category only. Stalls are 60 kts flaps up and 55 kts flaps down at 3350 lbs. • Check the floats for dents, cracks and punctures, and pump out every float compartment before flying. Float setup and what changes The Aerocet 3500 or 3500L floats replace the landing gear and add water rudders. The Cessna seaplane kit is also required. It adds a structural V brace, extra fuselage structure, a rudder centering spring, extra corrosion proofing, stainless cables and hoisting provisions. The supplement must be carried in the airplane. Loading and center of gravity CG limits are 41.9 to 46.5 inches aft of datum at 3350 lbs. At 2200 lbs or less the range is 35.1 to 46.5 inches, with a straight line between the two points. Max ramp (dock) weight is 3362 lbs. Float baggage is limited to 100 lbs per float, so check CG when loading. Use the actual weight and balance form for this airplane's empty weight. Training and checkout A CAP seaplane syllabus for the single engine sea rating uses 11 hours of ground training and 10.5 hours of flight training. Alaska Wing CAP rules treat the C-185 as a specialty aircraft. They require a type and configuration checkout, and 25 hours in type and configuration to instruct. Safety notes: • Keep water rudders up except when water taxiing. Put them down after landing and check them before starting the engine. • If a float compartment floods, shift people and baggage away from the damaged side to keep the airplane over the buoyant compartments. Excess water in a compartment means look for a leak. • Altitude loss during stall recovery may be as much as 200 feet. Land slightly tail low and hold the control wheel full aft through deceleration.