Cessna 185
Fleet & certification
- Built
- 2,441
- Active
- 2,421
- Origin
- United States
36 for sale right now
Per-variant specifications
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
Continental IO-470-F
Part 3 of the Civil Air Regulations effective May 15, 1956, as amended by 3-1 through 3-5 (Normal Category).
Where to look next
Cessna 185 market & fleet intelligence
Registry, flight-tracking and market data on the Cessna 185 fleet — updated daily.
51 yearsmedian age
Of the 2,064 registered Cessna 185 with a known build year (85% of the 2,441 we track), the median age is 51 years.
114changed registration in 12 months
114 of the 2,441 registered Cessna 185 we track changed registration in the last 12 months (5% of the fleet), across 114 registration events. Registration changes include ownership transfers, re-registrations and address updates — not all are sales.
- Aircraft seen flying
- 234
- Tracked flights
- 1,075
- Tracked flight hours
- 2,455
- Share of fleet flying
- 10%
234 Cessna 185 were tracked flying in the last 90 days (10% of the registered fleet), across 1,075 flights. Sprinkle flight tracking began May 2026; coverage is ADS-B-derived and not exhaustive.
Cessna 185 manuals & documents
50 documents for the Cessna 185 — Pilot's Operating Handbook · Checklist · Flight Manual · Maintenance Manual · Systems Description · Parts Catalog · Specifications · Other Documents · Emergency Procedures · Service Bulletins · Service Manual · Airworthiness Directives · Avionics Manual · V Speeds Reference · Weight And Balance · Performance Data. PDFs served from cdn.sprinkle.com.
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.
Pilot's Operating Handbook
Checklist
Flight Manual
- ReadAirplane Flight Manual Supplement Revision List20259 pages · 219 KB · via www.wipaire.com
- ReadAirplane Flight Manual Supplement Revision List202110 pages · 175 KB · via www.wipaire.com
- ReadINSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE SA04491CH202113 pages · 197 KB · via hartzellprop.com
- ReadAirplane Flight Manual Supplement Revision List201910 pages · 175 KB · via www.wipaire.com
- ReadINSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS FOR HARTZELL (P)HC-C3YF-1RF/F8429 PROPELLER ON CESSNA A185(E, F) AIRCRAFT20183 pages · 209 KB · via hartzellprop.com
- ReadSUPPLEMENTAL AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL FOR CESSNA 185 SERIES FLOATPLANES19959 pages · 430 KB · via aerocet.com
Maintenance Manual
Systems Description
Parts Catalog
Specifications
- ReadMICRO SWITCH V15 Series Basic Switch Datasheet202211 pages · 2.1 MB · via prod-edam.honeywell.com
- ReadRFID Specifications201930 pages · 2.5 MB · via literature.rockwellautomation.com
- ReadCessna-Mustang-datasheet.pdf201327 pages · 379 KB · via www.aerocontact.com
- ReadModel 3000 Ski Installation Procedure: Cessna 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 185E, A185E, A185F201121 pages · 1.4 MB · via trickair.com
- Read1977 Cessna A185F19772 pages · 764 KB · via cutteraviation.com
Other Documents
- ReadSUPERVISORY HANDBOOK ON THE VALIDATION OF IRB RATING SYSTEMS202396 pages · 2.3 MB · via www.eba.europa.eu
- ReadAAIB Bulletin: 8/2021202119 pages · 2.0 MB · via assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
- ReadType Acceptance Report TAR 18/21B/24 — Cessna 185 Series201912 pages · 64 KB · via www.aviation.govt.nz
- ReadInteragency Aviation Lessons Learned FY 0720072 pages · 710 KB · via www.doi.gov
- ReadCessna 185E Floatplane, VH-HTS Calabash Bay, NSW - ATSB199867 pages · 977 KB · via www.atsb.gov.au
Emergency Procedures
Service Bulletins
- ReadService Bulletin No. SB24-01 | Aircraft Spruce20253 pages · 78 KB · via www.aircraftspruce.com
- ReadService Bulletin and Service Letter Index - PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.2022198 pages · 1.2 MB · via www.piper.com
- ReadAirworthiness Directive Schedule Aeroplanes Cessna 185 Series202015 pages · 230 KB · via www.aviation.govt.nz
- ReadTornado Alley Turbo, Inc. TAT SI15-0220152 pages · 88 KB · via taturbo.com
- ReadAIRWORTHINESS BULLETIN Trim Tab System Degradation - Flutter / Loss of Control201513 pages · 467 KB · via www.casa.gov.au
- ReadSERVICE LETTER NUMBER 136: 3000/3450 NOSE BOX - FINGER TAB INSTALLATION20135 pages · 379 KB · via www.wipaire.com
- ReadSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES19981 pages · 11 KB · via services.casa.gov.au
Service Manual
Airworthiness Directives
- ReadInstructions for Continued Airworthiness20235 pages · 282 KB · via media.mcfarlaneaviation.com
- ReadAirworthiness Directive - AD/RAD/81 Amdt 1 - CASA20058 pages · 75 KB · via services.casa.gov.au
- ReadAirworthiness Directive - AD/CESSNA 185/46 - Fuel Strainer - CASA20002 pages · 14 KB · via services.casa.gov.au
- ReadSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES19881 pages · 10 KB · via services.casa.gov.au
- ReadSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES19851 pages · 11 KB · via services.casa.gov.au
- ReadAirworthiness Directive - Aeroplaning19793 pages · 41 KB · via www.aeroplaning.com
- ReadSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES19681 pages · 9 KB · via services.casa.gov.au
Avionics Manual
Weight And Balance
- ReadIM199-62A INSTALLATION MANUAL WITH IPL FOR CONVERSION KIT PART NO. 199-62A201434 pages · 593 KB · via www.clevelandwheelandbrake.com
- ReadSTABILIZER JACKSCREW ACCESS COVER19815 pages · 187 KB · via backcountrypilot.org
- ReadCessna 185 Weight And Balance19812 pages · 522 KB · via static1.squarespace.com
- Read1975-cessna-185f-poh-1.pdf - Seaplane Scenics197552 pages · 1.5 MB · via www.seaplanescenics.com
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 .
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 2,441 registered Cessna 185 airframes worldwide.
Registered 185 aircraft
Individual 185 airframes by tail number — registration history, operator and lineage.
- N907AK· 1993
- N185JH· 1986
- N735EK· 1985
- N185VV· 1985
- N605NR· 1985
- N30WE· 1985
- N735HB· 1985
- N735DN· 1985
- N11179· 1985
- N185HM· 1985
- C-GMCM· 1985
- N735EA· 1985
- N735AX· 1985
- N62EC· 1985
- N185CA· 1985
- N714ZK· 1985
- C-GATD· 1985
- N735ED· 1985
- N606PB· 1984
- N426MB· 1984
- N185VM· 1984
- N105NB· 1984
- PR-ARV· 1984
- N714MX· 1983