Continental C85 series
4,672 aircraft on the U.S. register carry a Continental C85 series engine, rated at about 85 horsepower. The Cessna 140 is the model most often fitted with it (1,253 aircraft). The aircraft carrying it were built between 1940 and 2023.
The FAA records engines by code, usually at the level of a series ("O-320 series") rather than the exact variant; this page gathers every FAA code that reads as Continental C85 series. FAA spelling: C85 SERIES.
Fuel: 100LL avgas.
Fitted to model families
Cessna 1401,253Cessna 120601Piper J-3 Cub519Aeronca 7 Champion (Champ)360Luscombe 8 Silvaire321Ercoupe 415268Aeronca 11 Chief136Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415111Piper PA-11 Cub Special68Engineering & Research 41568Taylorcraft BC12 BC-12D60Commonwealth 18557
Model families, as a table
Cessna 140 · Cessna 120 · Piper J-3 Cub · Aeronca 7 Champion (Champ) · Luscombe 8 Silvaire · Ercoupe 415 · Aeronca 11 Chief · Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415 · Piper PA-11 Cub Special · Engineering & Research 415
Where they are owner's state
Kind of aircraft
By kind, as a table
| aircraft | share | |
|---|---|---|
| Piston singles | 4,670 | 100% |
| Piston twins | 1 | 0.0% |
| Helicopters | 1 | 0.0% |
What the FAA has certified, ordered and been told about the Continental C85 series the component layer
The design is held under 1 type certificate (E-233, held by Continental Aerospace Technologies, INC.). The FAA has issued 7 airworthiness directives (orders that owners must comply with) that name this engine series. Operators and repair shops have filed 12 failure reports with the FAA since 1995, 4 of them in the last ten years.
FAA orders 7 airworthiness directives · newest first
Failure reports 12 since · what operators and shops told the FAA
Failure reports by year, as a table
| reports | |
|---|---|
| 95 | 1 |
| 01 | 1 |
| 02 | 1 |
| 03 | 1 |
| 05 | 1 |
| 07 | 2 |
| 08 | 1 |
| 13 | 2 |
| 22 | 2 |
Parts most often reported as the reports name them
Parts most reported, as a table
| reports | |
|---|---|
| Spar | 2 |
| Throttle Cable | 2 |
| Bearing | 1 |
| Control Unit | 1 |
| Downlock Switch | 1 |
| Elt | 1 |
| Exhaust Valve | 1 |
| Guide | 1 |
| Propeller | 1 |
| Rib | 1 |
Latest reports
2022-11-23Exhaust Valve: stuck
2022-01-07Propeller: broken
2013-09-05Throttle Cable: broken
2013-05-02Throttle Cable: broken
2008-02-29Rib: corroded
Approved replacement parts 870 parts manufacturer approvals
Parts a company other than the maker may make for this engine and sell as FAA-approved. The companies holding the most:
Hartzell Engine Technologies LLC 492Superior Air Parts INC 85Kelly Aerospace Energy Systems LLC 70Aero Accessories INC 54Seal Craft CORP 21Champion Aerospace LLC 16Vse Aviation Services LLC 15Airmotive Engineering CORP 13
Most often: ignition lead (406), gasket (43), bearing (26), stud (22), bushing (21), aero accessories (16), contact (15), washer (14), magneto coil (12), lead (12).
Certificates and bulletins
E-233Type certificate held by Continental Aerospace Technologies, INC. · 31 models listed · revised September 19, 2022
Safety bulletins 6 · advice, not orders
2018-09-10NE-18-27 · POWERPLANT Rocker Shaft Boss Inspection
2016-03-08NE-16-13 · Powerplant - Prohibited use of sealant
2012-10-31NE-13-04 · Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) Connecting Rod Piston Pin Bushing Inspection
1998-06-10CE-98-21R1 ·
1997-12-31ACE-98-21 ·
Sources: the FAA's type certificate data sheets, airworthiness directives, supplemental type certificates, special conditions and special airworthiness information bulletins (Dynamic Regulatory System), and the FAA's service difficulty reports. A failure report is what an operator or repair station chose to file; the counts show reporting as much as reliability, and larger and commercial fleets report more. How the systems are grouped.
Connections how this engine series links to the rest of the register
Fitted to
- Cessna 140 1,253 with this engine series
- Cessna 120 601 with this engine series
- Piper J-3 Cub 519 with this engine series
- Aeronca 7 Champion (Champ) 360 with this engine series
- Luscombe 8 Silvaire 321 with this engine series
- Ercoupe 415 268 with this engine series
- Aeronca 11 Chief 136 with this engine series
- Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415 111 with this engine series
Where they are
- Texas 400 of these aircraft
- California 396 of these aircraft
- Florida 267 of these aircraft
- Washington 190 of these aircraft
- Alaska 186 of these aircraft
Biggest operators
- Plane Fun INC Tr Trustee 10 of these aircraft
- Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee 8 of these aircraft
- Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum 5 of these aircraft
- Eaa Aviation Foundation INC 5 of these aircraft
- Riggin Flight Service INC 4 of these aircraft
Airworthiness
- FAA orders naming the Continental C85 series 7 airworthiness directives
- Failure reports on the Continental C85 series 12 reports since 1995
Analytics
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/engine/continental-c85-series.json.
Aircraft newest certificates first · 4,672
| Tail no. | Maker and model | Group | Owner and base | Certificate | Registered | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N42559 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Heath Aviation LLC Ludowici, Georgia |
Standard | 2026-11-07 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N33384 | Commonwealth 185 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-11-06 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77275 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner California |
Standard | 2026-11-04 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4079N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner California |
Standard | 2026-11-02 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72533 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2026-10-31 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2034G | Nottling John A SPORT TRAINER |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Montana |
Experimental | 2026-10-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2488V | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Arizona |
Standard | 2026-10-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2869K | Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Indiana |
Standard | 2026-10-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4765M | Piper PA-11 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Shamrock Aviation LLC Seabrook, New Hampshire |
Multiple | 2026-10-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76257 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2026-10-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N89529 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner California |
Standard | 2026-10-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3057K | Culver V |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alabama |
Standard | 2026-10-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4818H | Piper PA-17 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2026-10-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76742 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Virginia |
Standard | 2026-10-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N181H | Oldfield BABY GREAT LAKES |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner New York |
Experimental | 2026-10-14 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N90148 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Lsrw Aviation LLC Zebulon, North Carolina |
Standard | 2026-10-14 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2025K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner North Carolina |
Standard | 2026-10-11 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2133N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Oregon |
Standard | 2026-10-10 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N89141 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2026-10-06 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2093V | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Kentucky |
Standard | 2026-10-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2455N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Idaho |
Standard | 2026-09-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2685N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Georgia |
Standard | 2026-09-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76369 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-09-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77740 | Funk B85C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Virginia |
Standard | 2026-09-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N89200 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Nostalgair Sky Adventures INC Vero Beach, Florida |
Standard | 2026-09-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1726V | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Vermont |
Standard | 2026-09-29 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1910V | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Bommarito Sterling J Bend, Oregon |
Standard | 2026-09-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1877N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Massachusetts |
Standard | 2026-09-25 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2409H | Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-09-23 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72881 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner South Carolina |
Standard | 2026-09-23 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72272 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Glidepath Aviation LLC Sheridan, Wyoming |
Standard | 2026-09-21 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2543N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner North Carolina |
Standard | 2026-09-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N41944 | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner North Carolina |
Standard | 2026-09-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76706 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Franklin Special School District Franklin, Tennessee |
Standard | 2026-09-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2246C | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Indiana |
Standard | 2026-09-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1741N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Aero Optics INC Aguila, Arizona |
Standard | 2026-09-16 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N6384H | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Iowa |
Standard | 2026-09-15 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1601V | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Ite LLC St Pete Beach, Florida |
Standard | 2026-09-13 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4536M | Piper PA-11 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Idaho |
Standard | 2026-09-12 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N23161 | Piper J3C-50 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Shawver Aviation LLC Knoxville, Iowa |
Standard | 2026-09-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2455K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Maryland |
Standard | 2026-09-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4706H | Piper PA-11 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Montana |
Standard | 2026-09-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N85591 | Aeronca 7BCM |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner California |
Standard | 2026-09-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N87435 | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-09-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N9129R | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-09-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4060E | Aeronca 11BC |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Minnesota |
Standard | 2026-09-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N5994B | Aeronca 7BCM |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner North Dakota |
Standard | 2026-09-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N89576 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Qualitair LLC Trustee Michelstadt, |
Standard | 2026-09-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4825H | Piper PA-17 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner North Dakota |
Standard | 2026-09-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77388 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | International Air Services INC Trustee Carson City, Nevada |
Standard | 2026-09-04 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76009 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Gullwing Aviation Holdings LLC Lewes, Delaware |
Standard | 2026-09-02 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3183N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Tennessee |
Standard | 2026-09-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N85089 | Aeronca 7AC |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner New York |
Multiple | 2026-08-29 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2414K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2026-08-27 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N10982 | Bellanca 7ACA |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Arkansas |
Standard | 2026-08-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N179G | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Tennessee |
Standard | 2026-08-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3199N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Mcconnell Sarah C Shepherd, Montana |
Standard | 2026-08-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N94890 | Ercoupe G |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-08-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2LJ | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Georgia |
Standard | 2026-08-24 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N43006 | Taylorcraft BC12-D |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Idaho |
Standard | 2026-08-24 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N20U | Superior CULVER LCA |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Pennair INC Albany, Oregon |
Standard | 2026-08-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72350 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Indiana |
Standard | 2026-08-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N42557 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Kansas Taildraggers LLC Lawrence, Kansas |
Standard | 2026-08-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1382K | Luscombe 8A |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Washington |
Standard | 2026-08-12 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77368 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-08-12 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72386 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner North Carolina |
Standard | 2026-08-07 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3543N | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Onstep LLC Ann Arbor, Michigan |
Standard | 2026-08-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2302N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Animal Eye Clinic of Pensacola LLC Pensacola, Florida |
Standard | 2026-08-04 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4876M | Piper PA-11 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner New Hampshire |
Standard | 2026-08-04 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N33390 | Commonwealth 185 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Washington |
Standard | 2026-08-03 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3676K | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Wisconsin |
Restricted | 2026-08-03 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N73011 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Maurer Christian N Loveland, Ohio |
Standard | 2026-08-03 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76838 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Tennessee |
Standard | 2026-08-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2050V | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Wisconsin |
Standard | 2026-07-31 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N141S | Larsell Robert DAVIS DA2A |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Minnesota |
Experimental | 2026-07-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2915N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | N2915N LLC Dillon, Montana |
Standard | 2026-07-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77114 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner California |
Standard | 2026-07-29 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1598N | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2026-07-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1860K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Arkansas |
Standard | 2026-07-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N99LP | Aeronca 7AC |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Arizona |
Standard | 2026-07-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N9324H | Aeronca L-16A |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Washington |
Standard | 2026-07-22 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N964 | Reed CORBEN JR. ACE E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner New York |
Experimental | 2026-07-22 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3151N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Minnesota |
Standard | 2026-07-21 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3456E | Aeronca 7AC |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Washington |
Standard | 2026-07-21 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2780N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Sparkys Flying Service LLC Warner, New Hampshire |
Standard | 2026-07-15 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2168N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner California |
Standard | 2026-07-13 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N81475 | Aeronca 7DC |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Helicorp LLC Chesterfield, Missouri |
Standard | 2026-07-13 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3748V | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2026-07-12 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1682V | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Kansas |
Standard | 2026-07-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3WA | Wag-Aero Inc CUBY SPORT TRAINER |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Virginia |
Experimental | 2026-07-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3640V | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-07-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N78630 | Piper PA-11 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Kansas |
Restricted | 2026-07-02 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76926 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner New Hampshire |
Standard | 2026-07-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4N | Wheat Replica CURTIS WRIGHT JR |
Fixed-wing, single engine | N Flight LLC Kenedy, Texas |
Experimental | 2026-06-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N889 | Sharpe SA-1 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner New Jersey |
Experimental | 2026-06-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N99642 | Forney 415-D |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2026-06-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N24549 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Vand Flyre Klub Newfolden, Minnesota |
Standard | 2026-06-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3378H | Engineering & Research 415-D |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Colorado |
Standard | 2026-06-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N41356 | Piper J5A |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2026-06-25 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N26182 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Restricted | 2026-06-24 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
Source: FAA Civil Aviation Registry, Releasable Aircraft Database (the engine reference table and each aircraft's engine code), November 9, 2026. Horsepower and thrust are the FAA's figures for the series, not for a particular aircraft.