My first airplane was a C140 and I owned it for 11 years. I really liked the flaps because they tilted the nose down when deployed and gave a little extra visibility out front when flaring. These are definitely great little airplanes!
I love flying it. I hear a lot of people say the flaps are pointless, but like you, I notice the difference! Plus, with a heavier instructor in the right seat for a biannual, they help you pop off the ground when you use more runway than you're comfortable with! 🤣
Charming aeroplane, thanks for sharing. My dad used to own a C150B I miss that aeroplane. He was basically a taildragger man for the majority of his flying. He had a Luscombe and an Aeronca Chief too.
@@wheelsupbardown They were good aeroplanes, the Luscombe was a show stopper, restored by Cliff Lovell who supplied and flew the aircraft in Out of Africa (he had to take over some of the flying in that film - he was a DH expert, lovely guy. IIRC he also purchased the C150B when a subsequent owner wrote it off with a hard landing). Thanks my friend re the invite, I'd love to, it's really kind of you, I'm in the UK and my health ain't great (plus I might never be allowed to leave the country again the way things are going in the UK 🤔🧐😳😄). But you never know I might just take you up on that, it would be something to look forward to ✌️👍🤞😊💜
@@musoseven8218 I did my first 30 hours in a Luscombe. Love that airplane but it's a project now lol. If you ever make it, I've flown for worse reasons 😉
@@wheelsupbardown Fond memories of your Luscombe like me with the C150B👍😊 Dad gave up his Luscombe as hand starting/swinging it was becoming an issue with a shoulder injury. IIRC the Aeronca came before the Luscombe, that was hand start too. I scared myself when, if I recall correctly, the throttle vernier slipped on start up. Dad was swinging the prop etc, I had to react pretty quickly - I was in the left seat. I got a telling off, until it was realised that I'd saved the day😳🧐🙄😄✌️ We had lots of good times though😊😊 Dad learned on taildraggers in the late 1960s, he always preferred them, I got used to the nose up etc and then tail up when I was in the right seat. But I always thought landomatic gear was more civilized 😄😄 The C150B could, like many small Cessna's, get into places (with, iirc, 40° of flap), that it might not be able to get out of. Dad was very adept at short field and soft field T/O's and landings, although the wheels were a bit small on the C150B. Yours is a lovely aircraft with sensible mods to keep a classic aeroplane usable. I like the roof lights too - almost like an Aerobat, very useful. Stay safe and well, ttfn😊
I used to have a C140 (140LB, we named her Lusty Betty), we didn't have those window latches - ours were much smaller and basically just held the window closed. With the window open it would float up and lay against the bottom of the wing in flight. We lost a window once, just days before we were going to Oshkosh, out over Galveston Bay. We were doing some videoing, opened the right window, and instead of floating up to the bottom of the wing like it usually did, it half opened, oscillated a bit then departed the aircraft. It's likely still at the bottom of Galveston Bay to this day.
Love that story! The latches sound more like the latches on a 150, which I'd greatly prefer. I had a similar predicament in an older 172 when flying around with the windows open. I didn't lose the window, but the blind nut on the window catch (didn't let it open all the way) fell off and into the window frame. I didn't really mind it opening all the way, but in the end, my mechanic (dad) decided to fix it 🙄
I really love the smooth music you’re using! (Recognizing “smooth” must be a highly valued skill for this hobby.) I’ve said it before, but you’ve got great camera locations too.
@@Joncarver226 Well I may hit Metro to stop at Perani's once in a while for hockey gear, lol. I hit flyins when I can too, so feel free to stop and chat if you see the airplane!
I have a 46' 140 and this is the second video where I see the plane being pushed from the rear. I've tried with no luck. I push at the lift strut mounting point at fuselage. I have wheel extenders as well.
A BAS tail handle would really be a welcome addition for sure. I am careful, but I do push it from the tail and steer it by the base of the vertices stabilizer where it's doubled. The bigger tires definitely help the roll a bit though. We do have a tailwheel towbar somewhere though 🤔
One of favorite planes. Back in the mid 60s I flew fire patrol for the TX Forestry Service from Nacogdoches, TX. The 140 I flew had 170B wings on it and if memory serves, 24 gals in each wing. Could fly all day if needed. Our contract was from October until the end of May. Fire season if you will. Built a lot of time in that old bird.
@@wheelsupbardown I'm too old to remember "Fowler" flaps but I do know that the flaps were a lot larger than the other 140s. With 10deg of flap that thing would launch very quickly. On landing, she would float forever !! I haven't flown PIC since 1988. Lost interest in it. Just became so complicated just to fly short distances and I lost the joy of flying. And the cost was really starting to rise.
I'm happy that you got to enjoy it once. The costs can definitely add up, but flying a plane under your control is something most people will never experience.
8.00x6 are in the TCDS. We actually pulled them off of a wrecked 120. I want to go 8.50's but that would take a 337 (there's a few floating around online though)
It's got a turn and bank, but there's an even better indicator out the windscreen. In any of these old taildraggers, you should be looking outside almost all the time.
Really dig this. Found it from your comment on my shirt design. post. Sharing this on my community tab for you. Hopefully we can get some eyeballs over here for you. I really enjoyed this!
Thanks! We'll see how it goes after the weight and balance! Took off the extensions, mains down to 6.00x6, and swapped that giant tail wheel for a solid maule. 🤷🏼♂️
I've flown into KHFY a bunch! Great staff at the FBI! I've done a few camps up in MI, but the next one I'm hoping to make is Cheat River's fall fly in.
Hi Bryan... Thanks for the video... Hoping to start tail wheel training In a Cessna 140 next Spring... Also looking to do a Flight Review as well.... Looking forward to future videos with your plane!!
Looking forward to making more, but currently doing some work on it (annual, adding a beacon, thinking about swapping out the Scott, etc.)! Thanks for the kind words, they give me a reason to finish 😁
I got my PPL in a c140 on a grass strip near Ft Wayne. Loved every minute of it. When I got my license I bought a c206 which is a beefy 182. My family and I love to take trips. Where do you camp in Indiana or near by states?
Did Studebaker drivers accidentally open the window with their elbow all the time, too? 🤣 Studebakers were built near here in South Bend, maybe I can find replacements.
Just bought one I have heard they like to nose over a d just 3. 140 s nosed over this past 2 weeks what is the basic problem with that characteristic? Thanks
I've seen a lot of talk about it, and this one had gear extenders that moved the axles forward a few inches to match where the later cessna 140s axles are to help. That said, we took them off during an annual because it dropped the nose an inch and a half and added a few pounds. You can see the results in one of my other videos, but the long and the short... I think it tracks better, and even though the tail comes up a bit easier, if you keep the yoke back and are easy on the brakes, it isn't an issue. If you're at OSH, I'm here through Saturday and would love to chat!
I have a 48 140 (don't need wheel extension cessna fixed it ) had a 48 170 the 140 is way more fun to fly, you feel part of the 140 instead of sitting on a box in a flying room thanks for your video
Honestly, I'm not even sure the extensions are needed on the 46 with the gear further back. I've been contemplating removing them, but who knows... Have a few other project planes to work on lol.
The visor does work really well, but it was in the airplane when we acquired it. It really doesn't look to hard to make. It's cut from a sheet of what I think is 1/8" tinted plexiglass and I think it uses the OE hinges. Doesn't stop me from wearing shades though! 😎
Enjoyed the video, and I also am interested in the visor. I own a 1947 Cessna 140 and a 1981 Bonanza V35B and have been flying since 1971. I have posted 3 video of the Bonanza and none yet of the 140. I’ll check back for future videos.
came over from JustPlaneSilly to check it out...new subscriber here sweet lil 140 there Bryan....too bad Turner sold the Grumman and you couldn't race him 😁
I probably had 100 hours in 140s by the time I had 200 hours total. Flew them all over Missouri (where I lived then). As I recall, they would indicate 105 mph flying fairly low (where I flew them most of the time). Very slow climber with two people on a hot summer day.
Apt description for sure. I started my training in a Luscombe 8A that outperformed it on 20 fewer horsepower. That said, if it's just me, I can cruise 118 mph, as I have a fairly course prop. Hell of a plane to train in though, compared to the champs and cubs, lol. I'm sure that made every other airplane easy!
I have a 140A at White County (MCX), so I am right nearby. You are landing a lot shorter than I do - I am curious what your speeds are on approach. Looking forward to more videos. Hope to see you around when the weather warms up.
I'd love to hop down there when we're done working on it! (Adding a beacon and an intensive annual at the moment). As for approach, I did my initial training in a Luscombe without defined speeds, so... 1.3VSO! Low 50s. If you're going for real short, you can always drag it in under power 😉
One question: Would a 140 be a good weekend getaway plane? Something me and my wife could use to travel to a hiking location 350 miles away. 2 ppl (average wt), and a couple bags.
We often use it for exactly that, but we've had to pack pretty light to stay under gross. Check out my video on lightweight airplane camping gear, I go over what gear I use and the weight or the reason I use it. Compared to a lot of similar airplanes like Luscombes, Taylorcrafts, Champs, Chiefs, and Cubs, I think the 140 is a really good balanced set of trade-offs. Compared to a Super Cub though, well that could carry you, your mother-in-law, and a moose carcass out of a shorter strip 😉
Some pretty good deals can be found on 140s even in this market, and it's a pretty simple airplane as far as annual expenses go. The main thing is, define your mission, and buy an airplane that fits. If the 140 fits, I'd also consider the Luscombe. Good luck on your search!
Are you a member of the cessna 120/140 association? Also, on from Evv would like to have somebody to go fly with up to the show this year are you interested?
@@wheelsupbardown Planning to go to the 120/140 convention in DeCora Iowa on the 12th through the 16th of next month Looking for someone who wants to fly up together .
The 8.00-6 tires helped because the wheel extensions lowered the nose and the Scott 3200 raised the tail. This lowered the angle of attack and the larger tire size raised it back up. Stay tuned because she's back on 6.00x6 with a much smaller tail wheel 😉. Just waiting for a rudder horn at this point... It was a LONG annual. The landing light is just a Larson light I think.
In ours, the empty weight is 904lbs, so with a gross weight of 1450, useful is 546. Full fuel is 25 gallons, or 150lbs. That leaves a payload of 396lbs. Of course, every aircraft has a different empty weight with paint, upholstery, and/or fancy panels, so YMMV!
Sweet little aircraft. Wowfully underpowered for the mountain West where we're at. I suppose if you could up engine to about 120 or 130 horsepower it would be fairly usable here.
It came with the airplane, but I think it's just tinted plexiglass cut to fit. I'll try to feature it more in a future video, but it's currently down for a VERY long annual 🙄
The aeroplane looks beautiful! I’d love to own one, though I’m not sure how it would like flying with me in it: I’m fit, but I weigh 220 pounds which would mean my passenger would need to be petite, not just because of all up weight, but also so they weren’t squished🤣.
We just had to do a new weight and balance when we removed the wheel extenders, and the weight went up 50 lbs 🤦🏼♂️ You'd be able to fly with a petite passenger, but even I'm currently dieting to make room for luggage 🤣
@@wheelsupbardown the 180 is an amazing piece of kit; the Platonic ideal of personality, payload and performance; though this guy also recommended a Super Decathlon if I wanted a two-seater. A bit more shoulder room!
I have some time in my buddy's Super D, but that's a totally different airplane. I'd go 180 all day every day! If I were into flying upside down, it'd be different lol
I'd like to see that as well! Limited by budget though, and I think raising the angle of incidence by removing the gear extensions may have a bigger effect.
@@wheelsupbardown check Australian stolspeed VG's, they are stick on and available through Aircraft Spruce, stolspeed has videos about them I don't remember them being expensive.
Stall speed is under 40 with power, but the just doesn't have the lift that a cub's does. I can can really short, but the takeoff roll is where it's lacking.
Thanks for the video, I’m a private pilot with instrument….looking for a time builder and been watching c-140 videos, maybe a hard question to answer because it can depend on so many factors, but what do you consider a fair price or the most someone should spend on an old airplane like this in decent condition with mid to low engine times? And also is your airplane night certified? Thanks
Are parts INSANE for price because they are specially manufactured by the plane company or because its a size only for a specific aircraft and thus kind of a rare product. As we know, rare usually means EXPENSIVE. A bolt in a Jimmys World video, he said was $160. One, single, little bolt. INSANE
Honestly, for a lot of these old planes, a lot of these parts (hardware, hinges, handles, etc) were sourced from third parties like car manufacturers or even cabinet hardware. Manufacturers can see the parts they produce today for astronomical prices because of scale still, but there are also costs to certification, PMAs, and other approval processes, too.. Luckily, there's a huge used market for parts that can help keep the cost down.
I sit high enough I can see quite well over the nose and have good side visibility as well. If I were on any bigger tires, it'd probably be to high though.
I actually appreciate feedback, good and bad. Honestly this was the second video I ever uploaded, and I've always worked to get better at this craft. I'd be interested in whether or not you think I've gotten better or worse!