Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Chairboy on April 11, 2007, 12:20:50 PM
-
Has anyone here flown a Cessna 140 before? I've assumed that it's smaller than a 152 (because the trend was for the planes to get bigger as time passed, and the 140 is a much older design) but I've found some links that give the cabin width as around 40", similar to a 172.
How roomy are these planes? Can tall folks fly 'em? Impressions?
I'm still on PlaneHunt 07 with money in hand, and trying to figure out the best match for my needs.
-
From what I remember it's an earlier 2 seat tail dragger. It's newer cousin the 170 is a 4 seater. I don't know How it compairs to a 172. Oh yeah, the 140 had a 90hp powerplant. Metal fusalage and fabric wings. I was only 16, flying with my dad the couple of times i was in one. All I remember is how it felt like a kite.
-
Chairboy based on what I know about you I would recommend a used sport plane if you want a 2 seater. There are some really good designs out there with 100 hp engines that sell new for 80 or 90k but if you find the right seller (ie someone who bought one after seeing it at a show but doesn't have the hours to fly it) you can sometimes get them quite cheap.
One just sold at our airport for about half of what it cost new. It was a Technion (sp?)
That old Cessna would need an annual and lots of TLC. Plus you are a big guy.
If you want a Cessna get a good older used 182. I paid 44,000 originally for mine although I now have about 100,000 invested into it. It was fine when I bought it. I did not need to do all the modifications that I did.
Less than 50k for one of the most versitial aircraft out there and a true 4 seater is the way to go if you are looking for a Cessna.
-
I'm looking to spend less because I still want to pursue my Cozy project. I've got $40k sitting in my airplane account, and I figure if I find something like a 140 for $20k then the other half can go towards the project, hence my interest.
I guess the only certified plane in that range might be the occasional Traumahawk, if I'm looking for a two seater that has a big cabin, unless the Cessna 140 cabin is bigger than a 152. I can fly a 152, and I can take lightweight passengers, but it's not too comfortable for long flights because of my legs, and the usable load isn't enough for full fuel & pax. Looks like the 140 has more of a usable load and, if I'm reading the stats right, a wider cabin.
-
chair, if you are looking at Cessna 140s, consider T-craft and Luscombe, even an Ercoupe if you don't mind being a stick in the mud and like trike gear with castoring nose wheel i believe... at least you could fly with the 'canopy' open.
-
You should just rent while you are building your Cozy. That way you can fly around in a relatively new airplane and still have the motivation to build your own.
If you buy some old hunk of junk airplane, you're going to fly off one day and they will have to send out the civil air patrol to find your wreckage.
-
Before you get set on a tail dragger you might want to investigate how much you'll spend on insurance for it vs a trike. Talk to a broker and get an idea what kind of price you'll be paying for minimal insurance.
-
I haven't got a flying licence and obviously no experience with any of the options talked about. But I just wanted to bring up one more alternative that you might want to do research on...Piper Tri-Pacer/Pacer. It is a four seater. You might get a Tri-Pacer with just over 20k. The two seater version called Colt can be even cheaper.
http://www.barnstormers.com/Piper,%20PA-22+Tri-Pacer%20Classifieds.htm
http://www.barnstormers.com/Piper,%20PA-22+Colt%20Classifieds.htm?PHPSESSID=10f9cfd7361072d8b8
EDIT/Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Piper-Tri-Pacer-1955-Nice-Flying-Condition-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ220094992203QQcategoryZ63677QQcmdZViewItem) I found a comment from a guy who's 6'2''./EDIT
-
L-2 Taylorcraft is a fun aircraft to fly and it's a warbird. When you sell, you'll probably find you've flown it entirely for free.
-
Can't go wrong with an Aeronca Chief either.
-
140 is a nice aircraft. Has the Cessna wing design that are famous for their stall resistance. Some of the more exotic planes are nice but they will not forgive any mistakes and often before you get them home the gear hits the fusalage and takes the bottom out on the runway. As much as I like the 140, it should be hangered and that can add to the cost. You can get one for a good price but the annuals can cost more than the plane. There are some nice aircraft from time to time in the 40k range if you want to VFR around the airfield every other weekend but as was said, these old planes dont forgive carelessness or abuse. If you don't like the 152 then why a 140. They are similar in character. It sounds to me like you want to fly maximum range and do some overnights or camping. Old planes need careful attention and if you're not a mechanic or engineer, you might find old stuff kills you. Some might say, so bugger it, the flight is worth every minute. Is that how you feel about the 140? If not, you might consider the advantage of joining a good club. They have well maintained aircraft, often a few twins and that sort, the costs are very low in comparison to ownership and you dont have the hanger costs, insurance and annuals to worry about. If the plane gets grounded, you just step into another club aircraft. However, ownership is what it is.
RASTER
-
The 140 looks like a beautiful plane, but I think I'm coming at this all backwards.
I've asked for an insurance quote on a Cherokee, mayhaps it's more important to get a solid certified plane for now to build time and experience in, knowing that I can sell it later to complete my Cozy. There's a 1962 Cherokee 160 four hours south of me on Barnstormers: http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_159446_%2762+Piper+Cherokee+160.html
Worth considering, probably be a good trainer to use for getting my instrument rating.
-
Originally posted by Chairboy
The 140 looks like a beautiful plane, but I think I'm coming at this all backwards.
I've asked for an insurance quote on a Cherokee, mayhaps it's more important to get a solid certified plane for now to build time and experience in, knowing that I can sell it later to complete my Cozy. There's a 1962 Cherokee 160 four hours south of me on Barnstormers: http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_159446_%2762+Piper+Cherokee+160.html
Worth considering, probably be a good trainer to use for getting my instrument rating.
(http://forums.propilotworld.com/images/smilies/clap.gif)