CESSNA 185 SERIES

Cessna 185 Skywagon for Sale — The Ultimate Bush Cessna

If the Cessna 180 is the capable bush plane, the Cessna 185 Skywagon is its big brother — an aircraft that takes everything the 180 does well and amplifies it with the Continental IO-520's 300 horsepower, creating one of the most capable and beloved utility aircraft in the history of general aviation. Since its introduction in 1961, the 185 has been the aircraft of choice for bush operators in Alaska, Canada, Africa, Australia, and anywhere else that humans need to reach places with no roads and no airports — only land, water, ice, or snow that a skilled pilot with the right aircraft can turn into a runway.

Why the 185 Dominates the Bush Market

Three hundred horsepower in a 3,350-pound aircraft produces a power-to-weight ratio that allows the Cessna 185 to carry meaningful loads from impossibly short strips in conditions that would defeat any less capable aircraft. The IO-520's fuel injection provides consistent starts and reliable power delivery in the extreme cold temperatures that Alaskan operations frequently encounter. The conventional tailwheel gear withstands the abuse of gravel bars, tundra strips, and forest clearings without the vulnerability of tricycle gear in rough field situations. And the aircraft's large useful load — typically 1,200 pounds or more — means a 185 can carry two passengers with their hunting, fishing, or camping gear plus full fuel to remote destinations in a single trip.

185 on Floats, Skis, and Tundra Tires

The Cessna 185's versatility extends to its landing gear options. On straight floats or amphibious floats, it becomes a capable seaplane that opens the vast network of Alaskan and Canadian lakes to personal transportation. On skis, it operates from frozen lakes and snow-covered wilderness. On tundra tires, it handles terrain that would challenge any other aircraft in its class. This multi-configuration capability makes the 185 one of the few aircraft that can serve as a year-round utility workhorse in northern latitudes.

Find Your Cessna 185 on Airplane Trade

Browse Cessna 185, A185E, A185F, and A185F Skywagon aircraft for sale on Airplane Trade from verified sellers worldwide. Float-equipped, ski-equipped, tundra tire, and standard wheel configurations available with complete Continental IO-520 documentation. Find the 185 that opens the wilderness to you on Airplane Trade.