How Much Does a Cessna 185 Skywagon Cost?

Why the Cessna 185 Skywagon is a Great Plane

Newly qualified private pilots often consider purchasing a Cessna 185 Skywagon because of the relatively low price, fuel efficiency, and easy handling of the aircraft.

The Skywagon's closest current sibling is the Skylane, and this Cessna 182 price breakdown covers new and used asking prices.

Not only that but the Cessna 185 Skywagon can carry up to 6 passengers including the pilot.

This article covers the total cost of ownership and the various financing options for a Cessna 185 Skywagon.

When creating this information, we have put ourselves into your position. We hope our content saves you time and energy while searching for accurate information regarding how much it costs to own and operate a Cessna 185 Skywagon.

Cost of Purchasing a Cessna 185 Skywagon

If you're on a budget, you can pick up a good condition used Cessna 185 Skywagon within the $185,000 to $465,000 price range for a 1961 to 1985 model. You can find one here on Controller.

Given the popularity of the Cessna 185 Skywagon, they are easy to acquire. There are many of them on the market because they first launched in 1961 and are no longer manufactured.

You can probably find a decent condition Cessna 185 Skywagon for about $250,000. Keep in mind that they sell quickly once they go on the market.

About the Cessna 185 Skywagon

Cessna built the 185 from 1961 to 1985, and AOPA counts 4,448 Skywagons built by the time production ended. The 185F is listed with a 300 horsepower Continental IO-520-D, a useful load of 1,662 pounds and a payload with full fuel of 1,158 pounds. It is approved for up to six seats, but almost all owners take out the rear bench to carry more cargo.

The 185 is a backcountry workhorse. Owners fit oversized wheels, floats or skis, and operators in Canada and Alaska used it heavily. More than a dozen countries' militaries flew it as a utility aircraft. Owners also commonly swap the original engines for IO-550s and add turbonormalizing.

It is a taildragger, and AOPA's handling notes are worth reading before you buy one: the spring steel landing gear can make main-wheel landings bouncy, full-stall landings need full aft yoke to get weight on the tailwheel, and crosswind takeoffs may need full right rudder to keep the airplane straight. Budget for transition training if you have not flown a tailwheel airplane recently.

For how it compares, see the Cessna TU206G, a tricycle-gear six-seater, and the four-seat Skylane. For other airplanes in this class, see our bush plane cost guide. AOPA reported that immaculately restored examples reached $250,000 in the used market in 2015, and the asking range above is higher today.

Ownership Costs of a Cessna 185 Skywagon

After purchasing a Cessna 185 Skywagon, you won't be finished spending money. Not by a long shot!

You'll soon have to start paying for the fixed and variable running costs. Be prepared for a total cost of ownership of $22,265 annually.

Total fixed costs are going to be approximately $8,455 and total variable costs will set you back around $13,810 (based on 100 annual flying hours. There's also going to be a depreciation cost but it's impossible to estimate this cost for your specific circumstances because there are so many factors to consider.

There are many fixed and variable costs of airplane ownership that beginners may not realize. Of course, this is true for any aircraft, not just for a Cessna 185 Skywagon.

If purchasing your used Cessna for straight-up cash, you don't need to concern yourself with finance costs. If getting a loan to finance the purchase, you'll also need to account for the interest repayment costs.

What Are the Fixed Costs for Cessna 185 Skywagon Ownership?

We can define fixed costs of aircraft ownership as the costs that you'll still have to pay regardless of whether the aircraft is flown or not.

So even if you purchase a Cessna 185 Skywagon and never fly it, you'll still need to pay the fixed costs such as the once-off purchase price, the hangar fees to the aerodrome, insurance costs, and the annual inspection cost.

Fixed costs for this aircraft (excluding the purchase price) are going to be approximately $8,455 per year.

There's also the depreciation of your aircraft's asset value to consider. When figuring out how much it costs to own and run a 185, it's important to think about how its value goes down over time.

The amount of depreciation will depend on many things, such as how old the plane is, how much it cost to buy in the first place, what its expected resale value is, and how the market is doing. We know how important this cost is, but it's hard to give an exact number without taking into account the unique circumstances of each aircraft.

To fully prepare for the annual inspection, you will also likely have to pay for any required maintenance that will be needed to pass the inspection.

Some people will group these maintenance costs into variable costs, but they are classified here as fixed costs because you'll still likely need to pay for them regardless of whether you fly or not.

The estimate allows about $605 a year for regular subscriptions such as weather services or ForeFlight, and other costs.

Hangar Costs for a Cessna 185 Skywagon

Hangar costs will vary greatly depending on location and the type of storage facility you'll be renting space from.

In the US, you'll find hangar space for approximately $70 per month. Annually, you're looking at about $850 for your storage costs at a hangar for your Cessna 185 Skywagon.

You don't need necessarily need to rent storage space though. You might have the opportunity to build or buy your own hangar.

How much does insurance cost for a Cessna 185 Skywagon?

Insurance for owning and flying a Cessna 185 Skywagon is not as expensive as you might think.

Again, just like the other costs, the cost of insurance will vary greatly depending on your location, frequency of flight, aircraft value, and type of cover.

Insurance pricing does vary due to so many factors. Shop around, because quotes vary and you might get a lower rate. Bear in mind that the lower rates will often only be liability-only cover. That won't cover damage or loss to the aircraft itself. It will cover damage or injury to third persons.

The main factor in determining the cost of insuring a Cessna 185 Skywagon is the valuation of the airplane.

The cost to insure a used Cessna 185 Skywagon will be approximately $4,700 per year.

How much is an annual inspection for a Cessna 185 Skywagon?

Each year, the FAA stipulates that an aircraft must have an annual inspection. It costs about $1,150.

On top of that, you'll still need to ensure that parts are in working order and oil and other fluids are topped up as needed.

The fixed maintenance costs (including the annual inspection) could be around $8,455 each year. The estimate also allows for other necessary maintenance for parts at around $1,150 each year.

What Are the Variable Costs for Cessna 185 Skywagon Ownership?

The variable costs such as fuel, oil, unscheduled maintenance and miscellaneous costs (landing fees, parking, minor travel costs) will probably cost in the region of about $13,810 annually.

The variable cost to fly works out at around $138 per hour. That's based on 100 flying hours per year.

All we can provide here are estimates because your mileage may vary when it comes to variable costs for running a Cessna 185 Skywagon.

The longer you own a plane for, the more the annual variable costs tend to start increasing. That's mainly due to the increased maintenance costs.

Unlike fixed costs, you'll only need to pay these costs when the plane is actually in use.

Cessna 185 Skywagon Fuel Costs

The Cessna 185 Skywagon uses avgas, and this costs about $89 per hour of flight.

Currently, avgas costs about $5.40 per gallon, and the Cessna 185 Skywagon consumes 16.5 gallons of avgas each hour.

It pays to shop around when it comes to avgas prices. Different airports charge different amounts depending on location and how busy it is.

Cessna 185 Skywagon Oil

If you are technically-minded, you can save money on labor by looking after oil changes yourself.

Otherwise, you'll have to pay for the labor, oil, and filters out of your own pocket.

The oil cost for a Cessna 185 Skywagon is estimated at about $4 per running hour.

Cessna 185 Skywagon Engine Maintenance Costs

During the year, you might have to replace spark plugs and air filters. These are routine and usually done every 100 hours of flight time. They don't cost too much.

The engine may need to be checked at regular intervals, such as with a compression test, which can help find problems before they get worse. Other costs for routine engine maintenance on a Cessna 185 Skywagon may include replacing hoses, belts, and other parts that are worn or broken.

Let's be conservative and factor in say, $15 per running hour to cover these engine maintenance costs.

Every 2,000 hours or so, the engine of a Cessna 185 Skywagon needs to be overhauled. This is also known as a TBO (Time Between Overhaul).

Overhauling an airplane engine can get very expensive very quickly depending on the condition of the engine, the age, the hours of wear and tear etc.

Safety is paramount, so it's a crucial thing that needs to happen. The engine is taken apart, and each component is carefully examined. This includes the pistons, bearings, cylinders as well as other parts of the engine.

Repairs or replacements are carried out as necessary. The more flight hours that build up on an engine, the more often it will need to be completely overhauled.

The overhaul cost probably works out at something like $15 per running hour. This is a rough estimate but it should give you an idea.

Miscellaneous Running Costs for the Cessna 185 Skywagon

You can be almost guaranteed that there will be other minor costs associated with owning and flying not just the Cessna 185 Skywagon but indeed, any airplane.

Take for example, landing fees, parking, etc. These are estimated at about $15 per flying hour.

That's the fixed and variable costs covered. Now, let's talk about how to afford one!

Paying for It

Most buyers of an aircraft like this either pay cash or borrow from an aircraft lender. Get quotes from more than one lender, because terms vary with the age and value of the airplane, and read the agreement before you sign it.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, once you start adding everything up, the cost of ownership for a Cessna 185 Skywagon (on indeed any plane) can be expensive.

It's all relative, though. If you have a love for flying, and you can afford it, then it's really worth it. Compared to other planes, it's not too bad. Doing the math, the running cost for a 185 aircraft is somewhere in the region of about $223 per hour (fixed and variable costs). The variable cost to fly is around $138 per hour (fuel, oil, maintenance etc.).

Alternatively, the majority of newly qualified private pilots prefer to rent a Cessna 185 Skywagon if that makes more financial sense for them.

That's it for this article. Meanwhile, safe flying!