Manufactured between 1947 and 1954, the Cessna 195 is a light, single-engine aircraft. Just over 1,000 were built.

How does it fly?

Startup and Shutdown

As usual with older planes, the cockpit panels are delightfully simple, and getting the engine running is easy. The only thing to be aware of, however, is that many of the switches for things like alternator and battery are silver, metallic, and positioned in a way that isn’t obvious at first:

Additionally, it’s a taildragger, so taxiing visibility is a little limited. Because of it’s age, the parking brake is this curious stick on the floor:

As for the outside, you sadly can’t open any doors or compartments – not even the cockpit doors.

Flight and Handling

The airplane taxies at a reasonable pace when the throttle is at around 40%. It’s rather maneuverable on the ground, but keep in mind – since it’s a taildragger – don’t engage the parking brake when going at high speeds.

Taking off is pleasant. The tail lifts at 40 knots, and the whole plane lifts off the runway at 60. Stalling is not a problem in a gentle climb, and the Jacobs radial engine makes sure it accelerates quickly in the air.

The handling is gentle, flying rather like a small bus. You’ll find no high-energy evasive maneuvers here – the 195 turns leisurely. Despite its sluggish maneuverability, however, a barrel roll is possible.

The cockpit’s visibility is good, and instruments easy to read. For a taildragger, the landing is okay with few bounces, but there is a tendency to swerve a little after touchdown, so make sure the rudder is locked down.

All in all, this would be a good commuter plane to get from town to town, or perhaps for weekend trips – but it won’t be in the next Mission Impossible.

Rating

A solid, but a little bouncy, 7.6/10. It’s fun and easy to fly, but could get boring after a while.