Cessna 190

Single Piston

The Cessna 190 and 195 Businessliner represent Cessna's ambitious postwar entry into the personal business aircraft market, produced from 1947 to 1954 as the company's first all-metal, cabin-class aircraft. Powered by a Continental W-670 radial engine producing 240 horsepower (the 195 used a Jacobs R-755 with 275-300 hp), these elegant taildraggers seated five in a spacious cabin and were marketed to corporate executives and affluent private owners seeking something more refined than a Cub but more accessible than a twin. The design featured electric flaps, a constant-speed propeller, and retractable landing gear—advanced equipment for a single-engine aircraft of the era. With a cruise speed around 170 mph and a range exceeding 700 miles, the Businessliner offered genuine cross-country capability in an age when most light aircraft were fabric-covered trainers. The distinctive radial engine and polished aluminum finish made it one of the most handsome aircraft of the 1950s, and it found favor with businessmen, ranchers, and even a few small airlines operating feeder routes. Cessna built approximately 1,180 examples of the 190 and 195 combined before discontinuing the line in 1954 to focus on tricycle-gear designs like the 172 and 182. Today the type enjoys a devoted following among vintage aircraft enthusiasts, prized for its classic lines, solid construction, and the unmistakable sound of a radial engine. Restoration and maintenance require specialized knowledge of 1940s-era systems and increasingly scarce parts, but well-kept examples command strong prices and remain active in the warbird and classic aircraft community. SkyMeter has tracked 26 flights across 10 airframes and 10 operators, with NIKOLAUS LARRY the largest observed operator.