Cessna 140

Single Piston· 1,837 globally registered

The Cessna 140 is a classic post-World War II two-seat taildragger that helped democratize general aviation in the late 1940s. Built between 1946 and 1950, the 140 was Cessna's answer to returning servicemen and a booming civilian flight training market: an affordable, rugged airplane that could be flown off grass strips and maintained in barn hangars across rural America. Powered by an 85-horsepower Continental C-85 engine, it featured fabric-covered wings, a welded steel-tube fuselage, and conventional landing gear that demanded real stick-and-rudder skills. The 140 was essentially a refined version of the 120, adding flaps and a bit more panel space, and it became a beloved trainer and weekend flyer for a generation of pilots. With a cruise speed around 90 knots and a range of roughly 450 miles, the 140 was never fast or long-legged, but it was honest, forgiving, and cheap to operate. Nearly 5,000 were built before production ended in 1950, replaced by the tricycle-gear Cessna 150 a decade later. Today the 140 remains a sought-after vintage aircraft, prized by tailwheel enthusiasts and warbird-adjacent collectors who appreciate its simplicity and direct connection to the golden age of light aviation. SkyMeter has tracked 429 flights across 143 airframes and 140 operators, with SANDLAPPER AVIATION OF DE INC the largest observed operator.