The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 5, 2026

Continental C85 series

4,671 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.

Fitted to model families

Cessna 1401,253Cessna 120602Piper J-3 Cub519Aeronca 7 Champion (Champ)360Luscombe 8 Silvaire321Ercoupe 415267Aeronca 11 Chief136Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415111Piper PA-11 Cub Special68Engineering & Research 41568Taylorcraft BC12 BC-12D60Commonwealth 18557

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

Texas401California397Florida267Washington191Alaska185Wisconsin167Minnesota162Ohio152Michigan149Illinois139

Kind of aircraft

Piston singles4,669 (100%)Piston twins1 (0.0%)Helicopters1 (0.0%)

When the aircraft were built by decade

08631,7262,5903,45319301940195019601970198019902000201022020

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

1998-10-1998-17-11 · Crankshafts · engine
1996-02-1394-05-05 R1 · Cylinder Rocker · engine
1995-11-2895-21-15 · Aviation Gasoline · engine
1993-12-1493-22-05 · Carburetor Air Intake Housing Assemblies · engine
1981-04-0181-07-06 · AC Fuel Pumps · engine
47-40-02 · Piston Pins · engine

All orders naming the Continental C85 series

Failure reports 12 since · what operators and shops told the FAA

001229501020305070813222

Parts most often reported as the reports name them

Spar2Throttle Cable2Bearing1Control Unit1Downlock Switch1Elt1Exhaust Valve1Guide1Propeller1Rib1

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

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
Where they are
Biggest operators
Airworthiness

These connections as data: /graph/engine/continental-c85-series.json · about the eFlight graph.

Aircraft newest certificates first · 4,671

Tail no.Maker and modelGroupOwner and baseCertificateRegisteredStatus
N89140 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2024-01-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N87086 Ercoupe
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2024-01-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1501N Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2024-01-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N92930 Commonwealth
185
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2024-01-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4867M Piper
PA-11
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2024-01-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N25994 Piper
J3L-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Georgia
Standard 2024-01-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89170 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
West Virginia
Standard 2024-01-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N98558 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Transitional Technology INC
Lafayette, Louisiana
Standard 2024-01-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N16EH Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2023-12-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3276H Engineering & Research
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2023-12-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7119H Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Multiple 2023-12-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76525 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-12-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N94695 Ercoupe
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Hawaii
Standard 2023-12-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N104B Engineering & Research
ERCOUPE 415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Knl Associates LLC
Mansfield, Ohio
Standard 2023-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1660E Aeronca
7AC
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-12-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2305K Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Missouri
Standard 2023-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76596 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N92400 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alabama
Standard 2023-12-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2773N Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Midwest Corporate Air INC
Bellefonatine, Ohio
Standard 2023-12-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1813V Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Codingflyboy LLC
Hayward, California
Standard 2023-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N29262 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-12-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N10188 Aeronca
7BCM
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2023-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76925 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-12-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2476V Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81160 Mcclish
FUNK B85C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maryland
Standard 2023-12-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89510 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine K & M Aviation LLC
West Liberty, Kentucky
Standard 2023-12-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3025H Ercoupe
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2023-12-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2497N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-12-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2966N Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N80RG Borg Richard R
PARAKEET REP RB-100
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Experimental 2023-12-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N82515 Aeronca
7AC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-12-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N26044 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Palm Springs Air Museum INC
Palm Springs, California
Standard 2023-12-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3761H Engineering & Research
415-D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N66ZY Engineering & Research
ERCOUPE 415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-12-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N154DG Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N90179 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Arkansas
Standard 2023-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9093D Aeronca
11BC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2023-12-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1121 Aeronca
7DC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40316 Rauch Kenny F
BABY ACE D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Experimental 2023-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N71085 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Tgp Aviation Services LLC
Peyton, Colorado
Standard 2023-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89620 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N93687 Ercoupe
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Withheld at owner's request
Standard 2023-12-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1558B Silvaire
LUSCOMBE 8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2615N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Standard 2023-12-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6228H Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2023-11-30 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1642N Funk
B85C
Fixed-wing, single engine Jstream Lc
Sheridan, Wyoming
Standard 2023-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4154N Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Washington
Standard 2023-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7447H Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Colorado
Standard 2023-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N77722 Mcclish
FUNK B85C
Fixed-wing, single engine Jstream Lc
Sheridan, Wyoming
Standard 2023-11-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6478C Aeronca
7BCM
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2023-11-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2229K Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Florida
Standard 2023-11-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81617 Aeronca
7DC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N94828 Ercoupe
415-E
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2023-11-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1616E Aeronca
7BCM
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2023-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N70179 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2023-11-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N847Z Vidervol-Szaraz
VS-1
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Experimental 2023-11-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72732 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-11-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N77016 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-11-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1858K Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N43143 Taylorcraft
BC12-D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-11-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N94707 Engineering & Research
415-E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-11-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N120V Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
None on file 2023-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N6210H Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Gator Flight LLC
Saint Cloud, Florida
Standard 2023-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76591 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Dessertier
San Diego, California
Standard 2023-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89344 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2023-11-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N42895 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Terhune Robert W JR
Augusta, Kansas
Standard 2023-11-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2029V Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Sttm Texas LLC
Spring Branch, Texas
Standard 2023-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2111V Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nebraska
Standard 2023-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2847D Aeronca
7BCM
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-11-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3514V Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Plane Fun INC Tr Trustee
Snellville, Georgia
Standard 2023-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N99448 Engineering & Research
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-11-07 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N78636 Piper
PA-11
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-11-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4111E Aeronca
11CC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89740 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-11-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72665 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Banner Homes LLC
Salem, Oregon
Standard 2023-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N88030 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Jet-H INC
Simi Valley, California
Standard 2023-11-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2816H Ercoupe
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine R & R Outfitters LLC
Kalispell, Montana
Standard 2023-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3104N Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Kansas
Standard 2023-11-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1793N Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2023-10-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2017B Luscombe
8A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2512K Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-10-26 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1064K Luscombe
8A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N47K Stits Playboy
SA3A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Experimental 2023-10-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2547K Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2023-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3942E Aeronca
11BC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N75373 Aeronca
7BCM
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2023-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89152 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2023-10-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N98246 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine P & e Investments LLC
Coconut Creek, Florida
Standard 2023-10-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2485K Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-10-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N140SK Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program
Williamson, Georgia
Standard 2023-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N49595 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Zulu Flight LLC
Washougal, Washington
Standard 2023-10-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1573B Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Standard 2023-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76043 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Standard 2023-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81173 Funk
B85C
Fixed-wing, single engine Funk Aeroplane CO
Leavenworth, Kansas
Standard 2023-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81641 Walter Karl R
VARIEZE
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Utah
Experimental 2023-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89042 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89709 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Louisiana
Standard 2023-10-14 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1844V Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N84L Champion
S7DC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-10-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N77494 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Brisi CO
Wilmington, Delaware
Standard 2023-10-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
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Source: FAA Civil Aviation Registry, Releasable Aircraft Database (the engine reference table and each aircraft's engine code), October 5, 2026. Horsepower and thrust are the FAA's figures for the series, not for a particular aircraft.