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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
Jeff T 1948 C-140 NC3600V
Past President 120 140 Assoc. 2019-2023
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.
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.
David Freeland - CFII
1972 Bellanca Super Viking and 1946 Cessna 120
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.
