Cessna 140 pilots

[88_MALIBU]

Has anyone flown a Cessna 140? How is its performance and how do they handle crosswinds?

 

[Ralgha]

I flew a 120, almost the same thing. It had good performance for what it was. Handled crosswinds ok, the most I ever had the opprotunity to land in was about 11 knots I think. Great airplane to fly. It was pretty squirrely on the ground.

 

[satpak77]

just remember in a tailwheel your are flying it until it is chocked

(well, thats everything for that matter...)

 

[eddie]

I've flown the 140 quite a bit. It handles real well in crosswinds, of course it handles better on grass! The one I flew has gear extentions, most do.

 

[BD King]

Oh God. Have you brought back memories or what. The 140 is ok. The 140A is even much better, although the saying is to never fly the A model of anything. It is a tail wheel airplane, nothing more, nothing less. It requires a certain amount of skill. Period..............If you are looking at buying one, get a REAL pre-buy inspection from a (get this) mechanic who knows his ass from a hole in the ground.

 

[avbug]

I love the Cessna 140...great airplane. Most agree that the rag wing is better than any of the metalized versions, though I've seen some good metalized conversions with good workmanship that aren't bad. A boatload of STC's exist for the airplane, and a strong Cessna 140 community and association exists from which you can get ample support.

It's a very straightforward airplane, easy to fly, easy to taxi. You can get them with more horsepower than the C-85 they came with; the 0-200 conversion is not a bad choice. They're a very simple very honest airplane. I can't speak highly enough about them.

 

[BD King]

And no one has mentioned a cross wind gear!!! What a hoot. (if you have a sick sense of humor (or humour if you are Canadian) )))

 

[GravityHater]

85hp taildragger, lots have engine upgrades.
I have owned one (with a larger engine), a 150 (and a 172).
It was 20G30 out tonight and it reminded me of past av exploits... I have to say in my opinion the 140, while a fine airplane, is not as capable as a similar airplane, the 150. The 150 I could handle in tonight's winds if I had to, but the 140 I considered a fair weather-sunday plane. It could well be my lack of tailwheel skills, but I never felt comfortable with it. And it took the longest time to get into the air when loaded compared to the 150.
Still a beautiful piece of GA history.

 

[88_MALIBU]

Thanks guys. I'm downsizing and was looking into a 140 or a J-3. I liked the idea of an all metal body, combined with a metal spar. Plus I want tundra tires. They are affordable and I think I could even swing it on FO pay. (Well maybe not). I figured the 0-200 engine is $12,000 to do, so I will have to buy one with the conversion already otherwise its a no deal. Thanks again for the posts.

 

[House_X]

85hp taildragger, lots have engine upgrades.
I have owned one (with a larger engine), a 150 (and a 172).
It was 20G30 out tonight and it reminded me of past av exploits... I have to say in my opinion the 140, while a fine airplane, is not as capable as a similar airplane, the 150. The 150 I could handle in tonight's winds if I had to, but the 140 I considered a fair weather-sunday plane. It could well be my lack of tailwheel skills, but I never felt comfortable with it. And it took the longest time to get into the air when loaded compared to the 150.
Still a beautiful piece of GA history.

Did my PPL in the C140. The x-winds were a biotch and the generator would not produce power at groung idle...had my share of handprop starts. In veeeery light turbulance it shook like a leaf...had to return to airport once w/ my girlfriend because she got motion sickness. Makes a C172 seem like a "heavy"...

But to this day I never had as many compliments from veteran pilots and controllers as I did when I flew the C140...always had people running up the A/C wanting to take a look, as a student pilot, I thought this was normal, now I know better...great memories and a great A/C to learn X-wind landings!!!!

 

[Mudworm]

That was my first tailwheel airplane. I seem to remember getting no more then 90 knots out of the straight 140 with the C85. Not much range either.

As far as crosswinds it is like any taildragger. You use your feet properly or you end up in the ditch.

Ran the thing on auto fuel for a while untill the exhaust valves started to stick open.

 

[Kawasumi_Kichou]

Did my PPL in a C-140A. Checked out in a PA-28-181 right after the checkride. I thought that Archer was SO HEAVY! And I didn't even have to steer it...