CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE Model Guide
CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE · Model Guide
Overview
The CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE is a single-engine piston floatplane. It has a 260 hp Continental IO-520-U and a McCauley 3-blade propeller. Listed figures are 2800 lb max takeoff weight, 1650 lb empty weight, 50 gal of fuel, 100 kts cruise and 600 nm range. Many examples carry STC changes, such as wing tip tanks or STOL flaps, that alter weights and limits. Verify each airplane's paperwork.
- Base figures: 260 hp, 100 kts cruise, 12 gph burn, 50 gal fuel, 600 nm range, 1150 lb useful load at 2800 lb max takeoff weight.
- Flint Aero wing tip tanks (STC SA8036NM) raise max takeoff and landing weight to 3600 lb and add up to 30 US gal of fuel.
- The Robertson STOL wing and flap kit (STC SA1441WE) adds 13.0 lb and gives a 32 KIAS liftoff in the STOL procedure.
- Check the air filter: Brackett BA-8110 filters have a mandatory service bulletin and AD 78-25-06 for cracked retainers.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
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 ·
- 50 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Engine (hp) ·
- 260
- Height (ft) ·
- 8.83
- Length (ft) ·
- 22.92
- Propeller ·
- McCauley 3-blade
- Wingspan (ft) ·
- 36
- Engine model ·
- Continental IO-520-U
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 50
Performance
- Range (nm) ·
- 600
- Fuel burn (gph) ·
- 12
- Max speed (kt) ·
- 120
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 100
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 800
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 15,000
- Landing distance (ft) ·
- 1,500
- Takeoff distance (ft) ·
- 1,600
V-speeds
- VA_KTS ·
- 100
- VX_KTS ·
- 75
- VY_KTS ·
- 80
- VFE_KTS ·
- 100
- VNE_KTS ·
- 175
- VNO_KTS ·
- 130
- VS1_KTS ·
- 55
- VSO_KTS ·
- 47
Weight & balance
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 1,150
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,650
- Cg aft limit (in) ·
- 46
- Baggage allowance (lb) ·
- 200
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,800
- Cg forward limit (in) ·
- 36
What is the maximum weight?
The CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE is listed at 2800 lb max takeoff weight. With Flint Aero wing tip tanks (STC SA8036NM), the limit is 3600 lb for takeoff and landing. Check which applies to the airplane.
How far and how fast does it go?
The CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE is listed at 100 kts cruise, 12 gph, 50 gal of fuel and 600 nm range. Wing tip tanks increase range in proportion to the extra fuel carried.
Which handbooks are available?
For the CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE, Aircraft Spruce lists POH part 14-02651 (A185F 1973) and part 14-02650 (A185F 1973-1974).
What is the CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE Model Guide?
The CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE Model Guide is a model guide for the CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE, dated 2026.
What year was the CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE Model Guide published?
The CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE Model Guide — the CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANEmanuals & documents
- Service Bulletin and Service Letter Index - PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.Service Bulletins
- OWNERS MANUALS – PIM - Aircraft SprucePilot's Operating Handbook
- Pilot's Operating Handbook Cessna A185F FloatplanePilot's Operating Handbook
- SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1 - Brackett Aero FiltersService Bulletins
- Performance Data for CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANEPerformance Data
In this document
Performance and loading
Listed data shows 800 fpm climb, 15000 ft service ceiling, 120 kts max speed, 1600 ft takeoff and 1500 ft landing over 50 ft, and 15 kts max crosswind. Baggage allowance is 200 lb and the CG range is 36 to 46 inches. On wing tip tank airplanes, add 12% to the takeoff water run and 3% to the landing water run per 100 lb over the base weight.
Modifications to verify
Flint Aero tip tanks come with floats per EDO-AIRE 582-3430 (STC SA832EA). At 3600 lb, flaps-up stall is 54 KCAS and wing loading is 19.35 lb/sq ft. The Robertson STOL kit (STC SA1441WE) adds full-span trailing edge flaps and a recontoured leading edge. Each supplement must be carried aboard, so confirm the paperwork and the weight and balance.
Manuals and records
Aircraft Spruce lists POH part 14-02651 (A185F 1973) and 14-02650 (A185F 1973-1974). A sample FAA Form 337 from June 18, 1980 records the Robertson STOL installation on serial 18502213. Ask for the same kind of record for any STC fitted to the airplane you are buying.
Safety notes
- Brackett BA-8110 filter: an aluminum retainer can crack. AD 78-25-06 requires replacement before 526 hours. One Cessna 180 seaplane lost power on takeoff.
- Service Bulletin 7: a loose airlock fastener let solvents loosen the gasket on filters made before August 1981, risking gasket ingestion. Inspect the filter and fasteners.
- Sources disagree on airspeed limits: listed VNE is 175 kts, the Robertson supplement shows 182 KIAS. Confirm against the placards and the installed STCs.
Full document text
CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE Model Guide The CESSNA A185F FLOATPLANE is a single-engine piston floatplane. It has a 260 hp Continental IO-520-U and a McCauley 3-blade propeller. Listed figures are 2800 lb max takeoff weight, 1650 lb empty weight, 50 gal of fuel, 100 kts cruise and 600 nm range. Many examples carry STC changes, such as wing tip tanks or STOL flaps, that alter weights and limits. Verify each airplane's paperwork. • Base figures: 260 hp, 100 kts cruise, 12 gph burn, 50 gal fuel, 600 nm range, 1150 lb useful load at 2800 lb max takeoff weight. • Flint Aero wing tip tanks (STC SA8036NM) raise max takeoff and landing weight to 3600 lb and add up to 30 US gal of fuel. • The Robertson STOL wing and flap kit (STC SA1441WE) adds 13.0 lb and gives a 32 KIAS liftoff in the STOL procedure. • Check the air filter: Brackett BA-8110 filters have a mandatory service bulletin and AD 78-25-06 for cracked retainers. Performance and loading Listed data shows 800 fpm climb, 15000 ft service ceiling, 120 kts max speed, 1600 ft takeoff and 1500 ft landing over 50 ft, and 15 kts max crosswind. Baggage allowance is 200 lb and the CG range is 36 to 46 inches. On wing tip tank airplanes, add 12% to the takeoff water run and 3% to the landing water run per 100 lb over the base weight. Modifications to verify Flint Aero tip tanks come with floats per EDO-AIRE 582-3430 (STC SA832EA). At 3600 lb, flaps-up stall is 54 KCAS and wing loading is 19.35 lb/sq ft. The Robertson STOL kit (STC SA1441WE) adds full-span trailing edge flaps and a recontoured leading edge. Each supplement must be carried aboard, so confirm the paperwork and the weight and balance. Manuals and records Aircraft Spruce lists POH part 14-02651 (A185F 1973) and 14-02650 (A185F 1973-1974). A sample FAA Form 337 from June 18, 1980 records the Robertson STOL installation on serial 18502213. Ask for the same kind of record for any STC fitted to the airplane you are buying. Safety notes: • Brackett BA-8110 filter: an aluminum retainer can crack. AD 78-25-06 requires replacement before 526 hours. One Cessna 180 seaplane lost power on takeoff. • Service Bulletin 7: a loose airlock fastener let solvents loosen the gasket on filters made before August 1981, risking gasket ingestion. Inspect the filter and fasteners. • Sources disagree on airspeed limits: listed VNE is 175 kts, the Robertson supplement shows 182 KIAS. Confirm against the placards and the installed STCs.