Piston Aircraft Loans

Cessna 185 Skywagon financing, specs & price

Powerful tailwheel, often floatplane. Built 1961-1985; Continental IO-520-D (300 hp); 6 seats; 145-knot cruise.

Piston single Typical price $95,000–$250,000 ~$116/hr fuel

What a 185 Skywagon costs to finance

Payment examples at three price points, using typical lender guidelines for single-engine aircraft and a 7.75% illustrative APR. Your rate depends on credit, loan size, term and the specific airplane.

Example Price Down Loan Term Payment @ 7.75% Range @ 6.99–9.99%
Older / higher-time $95,000 15% ($14,250) $80,750 20 yrs $663/mo $626–$779
Mid-market (most common) $160,000 15% ($24,000) $136,000 20 yrs $1,116/mo $1,054–$1,312
Late / low-time $250,000 15% ($37,500) $212,500 20 yrs $1,745/mo $1,646–$2,049

Principal and interest only; excludes insurance, taxes and fees. Prices are typical asking ranges from our aircraft database — verify any specific airplane with Vref or Aircraft Bluebook and a pre-buy inspection. Not a quote or commitment to lend.

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185 Skywagon specifications & operating economics

Performance & capacity

Engine
Continental IO-520-D (300 hp)
Production
1961-1985
Seats
6
Cruise
145 kts
Range
720 NM
Fuel capacity
84 gal

Fuel economics (September 2026)

Fuel burn
16 gph
Fuel cost per hour
$116
Fuel cost per nautical mile
$0.80
Endurance (no reserve)
5.3 hrs
Fuel for 100 hrs/yr
$11,584

100LL at $7.24/gal (AirNav national average, September 2026).

What lenders and underwriters look at on a 185 Skywagon

  • IO-520 is robust but thirsty
  • Floatplane conversions require seaplane rating & insurance
  • Tailwheel/backcountry use = higher premiums
  • Strong resale due to utility

Pre-buy inspection focus areas

  • Corrosion from float ops
  • Engine mount and firewall condition
  • Tailwheel spring and steering
  • Fuselage skin condition
  • Float attachment points (if applicable)

Pre-buy inspections are typically paid out of pocket, not financed. See the pre-buy checklist.

Buying and owning a 185 Skywagon

Cessna 185 Skywagon financing FAQs

How much does a Cessna 185 Skywagon cost?

Typical asking prices for a Cessna 185 Skywagon run from about $95,000 for older or higher-time examples to $250,000 for late, low-time ones, with most trading near $160,000. Engine time, avionics, damage history and paint/interior drive the spread — confirm with a Vref or Aircraft Bluebook valuation and a pre-buy inspection.

What is the monthly payment on a Cessna 185 Skywagon?

At a $160,000 purchase price with 15% down ($24,000), a $136,000 loan over 20 years is about $1,116 per month at 7.75% APR, or roughly $1,054–$1,312 across the 6.99%–9.99% range lenders published as of September 2026. Principal and interest only.

How much down payment do I need for a Cessna 185 Skywagon?

Plan on at least 15% down for a single-engine aircraft built after 1960. Twenty-year terms are generally available on loans of $75,000 or more.

What does a Cessna 185 Skywagon cost to fly per hour in fuel?

At about 16 gallons per hour and the September 2026 national average of $7.24 per gallon for 100LL, fuel alone is roughly $116 per hour, or about $0.80 per nautical mile at a 145-knot cruise. Add reserves, insurance, storage and the annual for the full picture.

Can I finance an older Cessna 185 Skywagon?

Usually, yes. Lenders finance piston singles without a fixed age limit, though pre-1960 aircraft may need a larger down payment and shorter term, and airframes over 10,000 hours are often excluded. Complete logbooks, AD compliance and a clean pre-buy matter more than the year on an older 185 Skywagon.

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Financing a 185 Skywagon? Get real options.

Tell us about the airplane and your timeline. A financing specialist at Jaken Aviation shops your request across banks, credit unions and aviation lenders and comes back with real options.

  • Pre-qualification in 1–3 business days; closing typically 2–4 weeks
  • Purchase, refinance, cash-out, overhaul and avionics financing
  • Single- and twin-engine pistons, experimentals, and turbine step-ups
  • No cost to request options, and no credit check to submit this form

  1. 1. Apply & consult

    Tell us the aircraft, the price and your timeline. A specialist reviews your goals with you.

  2. 2. Get matched

    Your request goes out to a national network of banks, credit unions and specialty aviation lenders.

  3. 3. Underwriting

    Your file is packaged and submitted to the best-fit lender, typically 1–2 weeks once there is a purchase agreement.

  4. 4. Approval & closing

    We coordinate lender, escrow and seller through closing — usually 2–4 weeks from application.

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