AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011 - 65

SPECSHEET
Base price: $3,385 (in 1946) Price as tested: $25,000

Cessna 140

Specifications
Powerplant ................... Continental C-85 Recommended TBO ................1,800 hr Propeller.........................Sensenich 72 in Length............................................ 21 ft Height ........................................6 ft 3 in Wingspan .................................32 ft 8 in Wing area .................................159 sq ft Wing loading ........................ 9.1 lb/sq ft Power loading ............................17 lb/hp Seats ...................................................2 Cabin width ..............................2 ft 10 in Empty weight ............................... 980 lb Empty weight, as tested ............ 1,026 lb Max gross weight ...................... 1,450 lb Useful load ................................... 470 lb Useful load, as tested ................... 424 lb Payload w/full fuel ........................ 326 lb Payload w/full fuel, as tested ........ 280 lb Fuel capacity, std...25 gal (24 gal usable) 150 lb (144 lb usable) Oil capacity.......................................5 qt Baggage capacity ........................... 80 lb

Performance
Takeoff distance, ground roll ......... 663 ft Max demonstrated crosswind component .....................................................16 kt Rate of climb, sea level .............. 640 fpm Max level speed, sea level ............130 kt Cruise speed/endurance w/45-min rsv, std fuel (fuel consumption), 6,000 ft @75% power, best economy ................... ........105 kt/4.25 hr (28.8 pph/4.8 gph) Service ceiling ......................... 15,500 ft Landing distance, ground roll..........272 ft

McCann added the circuit breaker subpanel (facing page top left) as well as the vertical card compass (left). The yokes are unusual in that they can be found oriented this way or flipped 180 degrees. The trim and flap handle are both snug to the floor. The blood pressure pumps are ingenious and an inexpensive adjustable lumbar support.

Like the 150/152, the 120/140 is not what you would call a tight or maneuverable airplane. It’s rather lazy, requiring large control inputs for relatively small changes, especially in roll. Given the tight confines of the cabin and the large, half-moon yoke, that can be frustrating at times. The airplane has a classic car feel, meaning you want to open the window, rest your arm on the ledge, and grab on to that big wheel. But with someone else next to you, it’s more like trying to fly in a straitjacket, unless

you want to start throwing elbows at your passenger. The challenge in flying the 120/140 is all centered on ground operations. As tailwheel airplanes go, this one is fairly benign. But there are things to be aware of. For one, the brakes are strong enough to stop a DC–3. More than a few 120/140s have nosed over, probably because the brakes are extremely effective. In fact, Cessna developed a gear extender specifically to address the problem early in the production run. Takeoffs and landings are simple, once you confront and accept the power limitations. Try to force it off early, and the takeoff run goes on forever. The tail comes up at 40 mph, wheels leave the ground at 60 mph, and it climbs nicely at about 81 mph. Landings are gentle and predictable. Settle in at about 75 mph on final, hold it off, and three-point landings are nothing to worry about. Visibility is excellent over the nose, meaning there are plenty of visual cues to help guide you in the

Limiting and Recommended Airspeeds
V Y (best rate of climb) ................. 93 mph VA (design maneuvering)............ 104 mph VFE (max flap extended) ............... 93 mph VNE (never exceed) .................... 161 mph VS1 (stall, clean) .......................... 56 mph VSO (stall, in landing configuration) .. 57 mph All specifications are based on manufacturer’s calculations. All performance figures are based on standard day, standard atmosphere, sea level, gross weight conditions unless otherwise noted.

AOPA PILOT • 65 • OCTOBER 2011

AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011