Aircraft / Cessna / 185
Cessna Certified · Fixed-wing · United States
185
Seats 6 6
Power 300 hp 224 kW
Cruise 145 kt 269 km/h
US register 98 aircraft 98 aircraft
Photo: CambridgeBayWeather · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: CambridgeBayWeather · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Exj · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Ymblanter · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Derek Spurgeon (John Wegg Coll'n) · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Farawayman · CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: Michał Derela (Pibwl) · CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: Bob Adams from George, South Africa · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo: Harry Clampers · CC BY 2.0 Photo: ZLEA · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Infinity & Beyond Photography: Kev Cook · CC BY 4.0
About the 185
The Textron Aviation 185 is a single-engined, fixed-wing light aircraft originating from the United States. Built as a high-winged landplane featuring a conventional landing gear setup with a tailwheel, it is designed to accommodate six occupants and is well-suited for utility operations.
Originally developed as a modified version of an earlier company design, the airframe incorporates a reinforced fuselage structure and a larger vertical fin. Production spanned multiple decades with thousands completed before assembly concluded. Operators frequently utilize the type for bush flying, transporting passengers and cargo to remote areas and unpaved strips in regions like Canada and Alaska.
Engines fitted 89 aircraft
Engine Power Share of fleet Aircraft
Continental IO-470
260 hp
72
Continental IO-520
285 hp
14
Continental TSIO-520
300 hp
2
Continental O-470
230 hp
1
This page covers the Cessna 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 185E, 185F, Cessna 185: the same aircraft under other designations.
Specifications 1978 Cessna 185 II landplane · Continental IO-520-D
US Metric
Dimensions
Length 25 ft 0 in 7.62 m 7.62 m 25 ft 0 in
Wingspan 35 ft 0 in 10.67 m 10.67 m 35 ft 0 in
Wing area 174 sq ft 16.2 m² 16.2 m² 174 sq ft Weights
Empty weight 1,748 lb 793 kg 793 kg 1,748 lb
Max take-off weight 3,350 lb 1,520 kg 1,520 kg 3,350 lb Performance
Cruise speed 145 kt 269 km/h 269 km/h 145 kt
Max speed 155 kt 287 km/h 287 km/h 155 kt
Stall speed 49 kt 91 km/h 91 km/h 49 kt
Range 720 nm 1,333 km 1,333 km 720 nm
Service ceiling 17,150 ft 5,227 m 5,227 m 17,150 ft
Rate of climb 1,010 ft/min 5.1 m/s 5.1 m/s 1,010 ft/min Powerplant
Engine Continental IO-520-D
Engine power 300 hp 224 kW 224 kW 300 hp
ICAO type designator C185
Type certificate US 3A24
First flight 1960
Number built 4,400
On the US register 98
Registered in Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, United States, Canada
1965 · 4,980 h USD
Low $230,000
Typical $257,000
High $274,000
By year built · United States · USD
Built Hours Low Typical High 1960 4,980 $199,000 $223,000 $237,000 1965 4,980 $230,000 $257,000 $274,000 1975 2,620 $333,000 $372,000 $396,000
By year built · United Kingdom · GBP
Built Hours Low Typical High 1960 5,460 £131,000 £165,000 £205,000 1965 4,980 £153,000 £192,000 £240,000 1970 4,420 £179,000 £225,000 £281,000 1975 3,800 £211,000 £265,000 £331,000 1980 2,620 £255,000 £321,000 £400,000
By year built · Euro countries · EUR
Built Hours Low Typical High 1960 5,460 €156,000 €197,000 €245,000 1965 4,980 €183,000 €230,000 €286,000 1970 4,420 €214,000 €269,000 €336,000 1975 3,800 €252,000 €317,000 €395,000 1980 2,620 €305,000 €383,000 €478,000
By year built · Elsewhere · USD
Built Hours Low Typical High 1960 8,450 $175,000 $199,000 $218,000 1965 5,800 $212,000 $242,000 $264,000 1970 4,420 $253,000 $289,000 $316,000 1975 5,850 $282,000 $321,000 $352,000
185 running costs $359 an hour
A year
Low Typical High
Fuel $8,909 $11,480 $13,440 Oil $208 $260 $338 Engine overhaul reserve $3,333 $3,958 $5,192 Propeller overhaul reserve $917 $1,083 $1,250 Annual inspection and maintenance $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 Hangar $3,000 $6,300 $9,600 Insurance $2,982 $3,728 $4,474 Depreciation $2,537 $5,074 $7,612 Total $24,886 $35,883 $46,906 Per hour $249 $359 $469
Engine
Model Continental IO-470
Power 260 hp
Overhaul 1,700 h / 12 yr
Fuel burn 11.8 – 15.0 gal/h
Fuel price $8.20 /US gal
Value lost a year 1.7%
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