The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Engines · piston (reciprocating) · data as of October 7, 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
N27919 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2023-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76340 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2023-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N85634 Aeronca
7BCM
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Idaho
Standard 2023-04-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2357H Engineering & Research
415-D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2023-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N81667 Aeronca
7AC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Dakota
Standard 2023-04-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1766N Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N83200 Aeronca
7AC
Fixed-wing, single engine Rbj Ranchwest LLC
Elroy, Wisconsin
Multiple 2023-04-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1534B Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-04-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1813K Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-04-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N77473 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-04-17 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N221BK Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2023-04-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89352 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-04-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4548E Aeronca
7DC
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N77130 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2023-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N85398 Aeronca
7AC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2023-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N94427 Ercoupe
G
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Illinois
Standard 2023-04-12 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1442B Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2070N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Dakota
Standard 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N73811 Commonwealth
185
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76410 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Alaska
Standard 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N94603 Ercoupe
415-E
Fixed-wing, single engine 1St Resources Unlimited INC
Houston, Texas
Standard 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N98806 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kansas
Multiple 2023-04-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89139 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-04-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1078K Luscombe
8E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2023-04-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1897N Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Nasw Foundation
Rio Grande, New Jersey
Standard 2023-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N5694C Cessna
140A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76806 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Iowa
Standard 2023-04-05 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N37304 Interstate
S-1A
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Texas
Standard 2023-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72220 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-04-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2258V Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Mississippi
Standard 2023-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N32482 Superior
CULVER LCA
Fixed-wing, single engine Plane Fun INC Tr Trustee
Snellville, Georgia
Standard 2023-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72609 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Ohio
Standard 2023-04-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89134 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-04-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2599E Aeronca
7AC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Colorado
Multiple 2023-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4537E Aeronca
7DC
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Iowa
Standard 2023-04-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N92229 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-03-31 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2169N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3712L Cessna
172G
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2023-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76267 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Washington
Standard 2023-03-29 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76742 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine N76742 LLC
Waynesboro, Virginia
Standard 2023-03-27 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2581N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-03-24 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N25730 Piper
J3C-65S
Fixed-wing, single engine Orton Aviation LLC
Walker, Minnesota
Standard 2023-03-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4510E Aeronca
11CC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N556PK Engineering & Research
ERCOUPE 415-D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Montana
Standard 2023-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N90152 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-03-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3759V Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine R & M Disposal LLC
Red Cloud, Nebraska
Standard 2023-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N90386 Globe
GC-1A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-03-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2176M Piper
J3C-85
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Standard 2023-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N35878 Piper
J3L-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Cape May Aerial Advertising LLC
Rio Grande, New Jersey
Standard 2023-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4249N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Cessna 140 LLC
Taylor, Missouri
Standard 2023-03-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N11803 Curtiss Wright
JR CW1
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Experimental 2023-03-19 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76383 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2023-03-18 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2150N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-03-16 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2081N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-03-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2553N Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Sandhills Veterinary Clinic P C
Arthur, Nebraska
Standard 2023-03-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3084H Engineering & Research
ERCOUPE 415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2023-03-15 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4610M Piper
PA-11
Fixed-wing, single engine Wolf Run Aviation LLC
Whitefish, Montana
Standard 2023-03-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76113 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Denison Aviation INC
Atlantic, Iowa
Standard 2023-03-13 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N357HP Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-03-11 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1711 Smith Miniplane
DSA-1
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Maine
Experimental 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N25CR Richards Clayton
FOCKE-WULF 190
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Virginia
Experimental 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3472N Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Restricted 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N51DV Ercoupe
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N849 Aeronca
7BCM
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N85574 Champion
7AC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Standard 2023-03-10 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4624E Aeronca
7CCM
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Multiple 2023-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N71048 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Wisconsin
Restricted 2023-03-09 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72317 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Aviation Services of Tn INC
Sparta, Tennessee
Standard 2023-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N89498 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Michigan
Standard 2023-03-08 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N4226E Aeronca
11CC
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N70729 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7116H Piper
J3C-85
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Oregon
Standard 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76060 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Missouri
Standard 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76506 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76567 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Texas
Standard 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N87308 Engineering & Research
ERCOUPE 415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New Mexico
Standard 2023-03-06 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76710 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arizona
Standard 2023-03-04 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N31165 Piper
J5A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Pennsylvania
Standard 2023-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N347CR Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Tennessee
Standard 2023-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3684V Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Hollywood Biplane LLC
Atlanta, Georgia
Standard 2023-03-03 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N40900 Piper
J3F-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Arkansas
Standard 2023-03-02 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N87055 Engineering & Research
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-03-01 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3678H Ercoupe
415-C
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Oklahoma
Standard 2023-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N9174L Bellanca
7ACA
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
California
Standard 2023-02-28 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N1911B Luscombe
8A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Nevada
Standard 2023-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N201K Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Co-owned owner
Maryland
Standard 2023-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N3782V Cessna
140A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Kentucky
Standard 2023-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N86180 Aeronca
11AC
Fixed-wing, single engine Vintage Props LLC
Iowa City, Iowa
Standard 2023-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N87274 Ercoupe
415-D
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-02-25 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2173M Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Georgia
Standard 2023-02-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N77102 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Indiana
Standard 2023-02-23 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N2223K Luscombe
8A
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Connecticut
Standard 2023-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72105 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
South Carolina
Standard 2023-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72915 Cessna
140
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-02-22 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N70417 Piper
J3C-65
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Florida
Standard 2023-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N72496 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
California
Standard 2023-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N76040 Cessna
120
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
Minnesota
Standard 2023-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N94788 Ercoupe
415-E
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
North Carolina
Standard 2023-02-21 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N161WL Watson Walter S
DSA-1
Fixed-wing, single engine Crestair Air LLC
Dover, Delaware
Experimental 2023-02-20 ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes
N7744G Roehrig-Whittman Tailwind
W-8
Fixed-wing, single engine Individual owner
New York
Experimental 2023-02-18 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 7, 2026. Horsepower and thrust are the FAA's figures for the series, not for a particular aircraft.