The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

Hi all. I'm just entering the 120/140 market as I'm finally in a position to own my own airplane (in that price range). I'm in a flying club now that owns a 172 and a Lance but I'd also like the ability to go to the airport whenever and fly wherever.

I fly out of Double Eagle in Albuquerque (KAEG) with a PA of 5800' and summer DAs climbing into the 8000s' so I need a 100+ HP model. I'm not looking for much of a project, more of a model that looks good on the ramp and has a clean interior and panel. I've got a friend who owns and works on his C-170 so he can help me if I need to do some work on it (probably will).

I've enjoyed the posts so far and look forward to future chatting.

Glad to have you with us. With a clime prop and a fairly light plane you'll have no problem. Keep us posted on your findings and theirs plenty of help here for you too. Jeff

Thanks, Jeff. Will do.

I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for. You may want to consider an aircraft with a Lycoming, as you can get more power. Just realize it becomes a "mostly" one person airplane.

I have an 0-200 powered 120 and had no problems flying from the Front Range in CO, even with 2 people.

Ok, we didn't fly much on really hot days.......

Thanks for that. A 120/140 with an O-200 is really what I'm looking for. I bet flying the front range is spectacular.

rjrausch wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 9:41 am Thanks for that. A 120/140 with an O-200 is really what I'm looking for. I bet flying the front range is spectacular.

There are many who would say a C-90 could be a better choice. They seem to get a lot of points for take off distance since it is has a little more torque and not needing to turn the prop as fast to develop full HP. In fact, you can run those at 95HP for the first 5 minutes. I've heard it can be hard for the O-200 to develop a full 100HP on take off.

Very interesting Dave. Hadn't heard that. Thanks for the info.

8233 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:55 pmIn fact, you can run those at 95HP for the first 5 minutes. I've heard it can be hard for the O-200 to develop a full 100HP on take off.

That's a little misleading. The only way you can do that is if you have an adjustable prop. No way you're going to get 2625 RPM in a climb with a fixed pitch prop, unless you maybe want to cruise at 65 mph... And, legally, only with a Flottorp-Beech (Beech-Roby) prop.

rjrausch wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 1:16 pm Very interesting Dave. Hadn't heard that. Thanks for the info.

Dave is quite right about a C-90 when compared to an 0-200. Tom Julian in Holt, FL, a good friend of mine with a 1948 C-90 fabric wing Cessna 140 can leave me behind in an 0-200 Cessna 140A (my good friend Randy Thompson will tell you that any good 140 or 120 with a C-90 will cruise faster than any 140A). Not only climbs better but swings a longer propeller compared to the 69" limited to the 0-200. With that said I wouldn't pass on a nicely equipped clean 140 or 120 with an 0-200.

Thanks again, all. I'll keep that in mind. You've been very helpful. I'll let you know how the search is going.