N1231F is a 1975 Cessna  A185F.  This airplane is a stock standard 185, with the exception of a 3 blade 88 inch McCauley propeller, which enhances the performance of the 520 cubic inch 300 Horse  fuel injected engine. This airplane is fully capable of instrument flight with a full complement of gyro instruments. Included in the panel are: 2 Nav/com radios, 1 ADF,  Altitude encoding transponder and a Garmin GPS. Fuel capacity is 80 gals. Fuel consumption for planning purposes is 15 Gal./Hr.  With speed on wheel skis @ approx. 150 mph. Range is about 800 miles, although 13 Gal/Hr. is more realistic. Empty weight of this airplane is about 1800 lbs. With a max gross weight of 3350, this yields a useful load of  1550 lbs.

This airplane is fully winterized with permanently installed electric engine heater, and a single point external AC plug-in. Prop, spinner, wing and engine covers travel with the aircraft in the winter as well as a light weight gasoline fired heater/survival stove and a full complement of survival gear. 31 F flies throughout  Alaska, year round, on wheel skis in the winter, Aerocet 3500 floats in summer, and on 8.50x6 tires in between. Fortunately this airplane has a superb cabin heater, allowing shirtsleeve comfort even in extreme low temps. I acquired this airplane in 2001, prior to which it had been operated out of Fairbanks.   31 Fox, is a delight to fly, and I look forward to again taking on the Iditarod challenge

                                                 Happy Trails & Tailwinds!

                                                 Mike Koskovich