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
What the FAA has certified, ordered and been told about the Continental C85 series the component layer
No FAA order in the current files names 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.
Failure reports 12 since · what operators and shops told the FAA
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
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 120 602 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 415 267 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 401 of these aircraft
- California 397 of these aircraft
- Florida 267 of these aircraft
- Washington 191 of these aircraft
- Alaska 185 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
- Failure reports on the Continental C85 series 12 reports since 1995
Analytics
These connections as data: /graph/engine/continental-c85-series.json · about the eFlight graph.
Aircraft newest certificates first · 4,671
| Tail no. | Maker and model | Group | Owner and base | Certificate | Registered | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N41TK | Kretschman Thomas J PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Wisconsin |
Experimental | 2026-02-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1659Z | Ercoupe G |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming |
Standard | 2026-02-06 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N140EW | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee Casper, Wyoming |
Standard | 2026-02-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N6810H | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2026-02-04 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4181E | Aeronca 11CC |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Shooting Star Services LLC Rosamond, California |
Standard | 2026-01-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2147E | Aeronca 7BCM |
Fixed-wing, single engine | J&Ks Spruce Specimens LLC Alexandria, Minnesota |
Standard | 2026-01-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3115N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner North Carolina |
Standard | 2026-01-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N521EF | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Georgia |
Standard | 2026-01-23 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N81065 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2026-01-22 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N17DH | Stewart Scott D DAKOTA HAWK |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Oregon |
Experimental | 2026-01-21 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2756H | Engineering & Research 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Idaho |
Standard | 2026-01-21 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N89885 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Erhart Aviation Services LLC Kalispell, Montana |
Standard | 2026-01-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2864N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Oregon |
Standard | 2026-01-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1559N | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Illinois |
Standard | 2026-01-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77721 | Funk B85C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2026-01-14 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N90056 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner North Carolina |
Standard | 2026-01-14 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N99773 | Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Virginia |
Standard | 2026-01-13 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N81059 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Maryland |
Standard | 2026-01-12 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3773H | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2026-01-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76351 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Cloudcruise Ventures LLC Sacramento, California |
Standard | 2026-01-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N78416 | Piper J-3C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Louisiana |
Standard | 2026-01-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1613 | Stits SA7D |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Experimental | 2025-12-27 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes | |
| N3679V | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Utah |
Standard | 2025-12-22 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3057K | Culver V |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2025-12-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72757 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Iowa |
Standard | 2025-12-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N90113 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Seibert Caleb Seguin, Texas |
Standard | 2025-12-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N99FW | Wimberly Fred N RUTAN VARIEZE |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Virginia |
Experimental | 2025-12-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76882 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2025-12-16 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N7FN | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Hawke Aviation INC Oakdale, California |
Standard | 2025-12-16 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4952V | Aeronca 7BCM |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Washington |
Standard | 2025-12-14 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N99405 | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Arizona |
Standard | 2025-12-11 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N70170 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Alaska |
Standard | 2025-12-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72558 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2025-12-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N8329H | Emigh TROJAN A-2 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner California |
Standard | 2025-12-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N93905 | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2025-12-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2450K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Blue Cloud Aviation LLC Turlock, California |
Standard | 2025-12-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72740 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Massachusetts |
Standard | 2025-12-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77466 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Quatro Queso Dos Fritos LLC Buena Park, California |
Standard | 2025-12-03 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N140KY | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Oregon |
Standard | 2025-12-02 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2059N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Missouri |
Standard | 2025-11-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N80555 | Globe GC-1B |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2025-11-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1850K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Nevada |
Standard | 2025-11-22 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1972V | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Absolute Ceiling Leasing LLC Stafford, Virginia |
Standard | 2025-11-21 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N28084 | Piper J5A |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Nevada |
Standard | 2025-11-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N110RR | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Galloway Landings LLC Caledonia, Michigan |
Standard | 2025-11-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2808H | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Colorado |
Standard | 2025-11-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3026H | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Louisiana |
Standard | 2025-11-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N94174 | Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Stork Matthew J Mulberry, Florida |
Standard | 2025-11-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N31117 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2025-11-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N89635 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Ocotillo Medical LLC Tempe, Arizona |
Standard | 2025-11-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N99228 | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Michigan |
Standard | 2025-11-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2314V | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner South Dakota |
Standard | 2025-11-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N113CW | Piper PA-11 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Oregon |
Standard | 2025-11-14 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N169WS | Engineering & Research 415-D |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Maine |
Standard | 2025-11-13 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N82572 | Aeronca 7BCM |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Debt Flying LLC Holland, Michigan |
Standard | 2025-11-12 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72545 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Ejr Aviation LLC Ashburn, Virginia |
Standard | 2025-11-10 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N858RB | Aeronca 7BCM |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Indiana |
Standard | 2025-11-10 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N35523 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Multiple | 2025-11-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N70539 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2025-11-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N81810 | Champion 7BCM |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Vintage Combat Aircraft LLC Wilmington, Delaware |
Standard | 2025-10-31 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N9035X | Poulson Randal J POULSON CLIPWING |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Pennsylvania |
Experimental | 2025-10-31 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N41578 | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Aero Leasing LLC Snohomish, Washington |
Standard | 2025-10-29 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2070B | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Oklahoma |
Standard | 2025-10-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1456N | Piper J-3C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alabama |
Standard | 2025-10-27 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1273K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Washington |
Standard | 2025-10-25 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3342G | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2025-10-24 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1956N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | 1812J Blue LLC Akron, Ohio |
Standard | 2025-10-22 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72549 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Windsock Capital LLC Bertram, Texas |
Standard | 2025-10-22 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2132V | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Illinois |
Standard | 2025-10-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2257N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Oregon |
Standard | 2025-10-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N34776 | Culver LCA |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Iowa |
Standard | 2025-10-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N94040 | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Magnolia Aviation Solutions LLC Sheridan, Wyoming |
Standard | 2025-10-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77370 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2025-10-16 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2339N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner California |
Standard | 2025-10-15 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N34134 | Commonwealth 185 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Everts Air Service INC Schuylerville, New York |
Standard | 2025-10-15 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2857N | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Arizona |
Standard | 2025-10-10 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4504E | Aeronca 7DC |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner Montana |
Standard | 2025-10-10 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N5DG | Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-D |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Oregon |
Standard | 2025-10-10 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1827K | Silvaire LUSCOMBE 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner New York |
Standard | 2025-10-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1949V | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2025-10-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N33384 | Commonwealth 185 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2025-10-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4111N | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Virginia |
Standard | 2025-10-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77310 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2025-10-06 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77265 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Standard | 2025-10-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes | |
| N579MG | Luscombe 8A |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner California |
Standard | 2025-10-02 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N814NG | Aeronca 7BCM |
Fixed-wing, single engine | 7Ac Aviation LLC Fort Worth, Texas |
Standard | 2025-10-02 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N392RM | Marques FLY BABY 1-A |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Kentucky |
Experimental | 2025-10-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N76209 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Mississippi |
Standard | 2025-09-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N89744 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Mcculloch Allen W Farmington, New Mexico |
Standard | 2025-09-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N99506 | Ercoupe 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | High Plains Flying LLC Burlington, Colorado |
Standard | 2025-09-29 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N89613 | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Withheld at owner's request | Standard | 2025-09-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N5289X | Piper J3C-65 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Seacoast Antique Hangar LLC Madbury, New Hampshire |
Standard | 2025-09-27 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2295K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Co-owned owner California |
Standard | 2025-09-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N4164E | Aeronca 11CC |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner New York |
Standard | 2025-09-25 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N72516 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner South Dakota |
Standard | 2025-09-25 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N77328 | Cessna 120 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner California |
Standard | 2025-09-24 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N99547 | Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2025-09-23 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1940V | Cessna 140 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Colorado |
Standard | 2025-09-22 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1786K | Luscombe 8E |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2025-09-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N32950 | Piper J-3 |
Fixed-wing, single engine | Individual owner Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2025-09-19 | 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), October 5, 2026. Horsepower and thrust are the FAA's figures for the series, not for a particular aircraft.