The Cessna 185 (ICAO type C185) is an aircraft of United States origin, certificated in the Normal category. It has a maximum take-off weight of 1,500 kg. It offers a maximum range of 700 nm, a cruise speed of 145 knots, a service ceiling of 18,000 ft and seating for up to 5 across its variants.

Cessna 185

C185

Photo via Wikipedia: Cessna 185 Skywagon

Year

—

Owner

—

Last seen

—

MTOW

1,500 kg

Range

700 nm

Seats

185

Cessna · 185

Model overview

Fleet & certification

Built: 2,449
Active: 2,424
Origin: United States

Certifying authorities

FAA

Market

Comparable listings

N52859 · 1974 · 2,810 hrs

$22,000

G-ATLA · 1966 · 1,800 hrs

$108,000

N2789F · 1966 · 3,717 hrs

$119,000

N2221 · 1960 · 4,745 hrs

$125,000

N52554 · 1974 · 5,590 hrs

$139,000

Marketplace

50 for sale right now

Cockpit and instrument panel of a 1969 Cessna.

10 photos

1969 Cessna 185E Amphibian

C-FADR3,588 hr

$350,000Listed 6d ago

Originally listed on external source

15 photos

1974 Cessna 185F

N1790R2,400 hrLagrangeville, USA

$395,000Listed 1w ago

Originally listed on external source

6 photos

Cessna 185F Skywagon

5,530 hr1975

$219,000Listed 3w ago

Originally listed on external source

View all 50 listings →

Variants

Per-variant specifications

Variant	Engine	MTOW	Range	Cruise	Pax
185 185	—	1,500 kg	700 nm	145 kt	5
185A 185A	—	1,500 kg	700 nm	145 kt	5
185B 185B	—	1,500 kg	700 nm	145 kt	5
185C 185C	—	1,500 kg	700 nm	145 kt	5
185D 185D	—	1,500 kg	700 nm	145 kt	5
185E 185E	—	1,500 kg	700 nm	145 kt	5
A185E A185E	—	1,500 kg	700 nm	145 kt	5
A185F A185F	—	1,500 kg	700 nm	145 kt	5

Type certification

The FAA paperwork

TCDS 3A24 · Rev 38 · issued 2006-05-03

Category: Normal
MTOW: 1,451 kg
Seats: 1 crew · 5 passengers
Fuel: 234 L

Approved fuel100/130

Engine

Continental IO-470-F

Certification basis

Part 3 of the Civil Air Regulations effective May 15, 1956, as amended by 3-1 through 3-5 (Normal Category).

Read the TCDS (PDF) →

Safety & ops history

Where to look next

Detailed safety & ops history coming soon — view this model's FAA Airworthiness Directives at FAA.gov.

Cessna 185 market & fleet intelligence

Registry, flight-tracking and market data on the Cessna 185 fleet — updated daily.

Fleet age

51 yearsmedian age

60s

70s

80s

90s

Of the 2,077 registered Cessna 185 with a known build year (85% of the 2,449 we track), the median age is 51 years.

Registration activity

86changed registration in 12 months

86 of the 2,449 registered Cessna 185 we track changed registration in the last 12 months (4% of the fleet), across 86 registration events. Registration changes include ownership transfers, re-registrations and address updates — not all are sales.

Fleet activity — last 90 days

Aircraft seen flying: 95
Tracked flights: 233
Tracked flight hours: 475
Share of fleet flying: 4%

95 Cessna 185 were tracked flying in the last 90 days (4% of the registered fleet), across 233 flights. Sprinkle flight tracking began May 2026; coverage is ADS-B-derived and not exhaustive.

For sale now

50Cessna 185 listed for sale

$10Kmedian $288K$900K

Asking prices from $10K to $900K, typically $229K–$349K — based on 89 USD asking prices on Sprinkle, not an appraisal.

Browse Cessna 185 for sale →

Cessna 185 manuals & documents

50 documents for the Cessna 185 — Pilot's Operating Handbook · Checklist · Flight Manual · Maintenance Manual · Parts Catalog · Weight & Balance · Specifications · Other Documents · Model Guide · Service Bulletins · Service Manual · Airworthiness Directives · Avionics Manual · V Speeds Reference · Performance Data · Performance. PDFs served from cdn.sprinkle.com.

Overview

Supplemental Airplane Flight Manual · 2003

This Supplemental Airplane Flight Manual is specifically designed for the Cessna 185 series floatplanes equipped with Aerocet Model 3400 amphibious seaplane floats. It provides essential information regarding the operation, limitations, and performance of the aircraft when modified with these floats. The manual is FAA approved and must be carried in the aircraft whenever the Aerocet floats are installed. It supersedes the basic airplane markings and placards, as well as the standard Airplane Flight Manual for the Cessna 185. Pilots and operators will find detailed procedures for normal operations, emergency situations, and performance specifications tailored to the floatplane configuration. This document is crucial for ensuring safe and effective operation of the aircraft in its modified state.

Stall speed (flaps up): 60 KCAS; (flaps down): 51 KCAS.
Maximum ramp weight: 3362 lbs; Maximum takeoff and landing weight: 3350 lbs.
Center of gravity range: +40.0 to +46.5 inches at max gross weight.
Emergency landing airspeed: 73 KIAS (flaps up); 68 KIAS (flaps down).
Takeoff with known hull leaks or structural damage is prohibited.

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.

Read the document

Pilot's Operating Handbook

Checklist

Flight Manual

Maintenance Manual

Parts Catalog

PARTS MANUAL 3000 FLOATS ON CESSNA 180 & 185
2023137 pages · 8.1 MB · via www.wipaire.com
Read

Weight & Balance

Specifications

Model Guide

Service Bulletins

Service Manual

Airworthiness Directives

Documents are sourced from publicly available references. Sprinkle does not host OEM-restricted materials; if you are a rights-holder and want a document removed, email .

185 — frequently asked

What is the range of the Cessna 185?

The Cessna 185 has a maximum range of 700 nautical miles across variants.

How many people can the Cessna 185 carry?

The Cessna 185 seats up to 5 across its variants.

What is the MTOW of the Cessna 185?

The Cessna 185's maximum take-off weight is 1,500 kg.

What is the ICAO type designator for the Cessna 185?

The Cessna 185's ICAO type designator is C185.

How many Cessna 185 aircraft are registered worldwide?

Sprinkle tracks 2,449 registered Cessna 185 airframes worldwide.

Registered 185 aircraft

Individual 185 airframes by tail number — registration history, operator and lineage.

See all 2,449 registered 185