While I wouldn't characterize the 120 as a short field airplane, I think it deserves more than it is getting in this thread. The empty weight of the airplane is going to make a significant difference in performance. Many in the fleet have become fat over the years. Study the empty weights before deciding on an airplane. You will find typical empty weights will vary by over 100 lbs.

The 120 will be significantly cheaper than the Citabria and the 120 has factory metal spars. Both points you might want to consider.

Robert

I love my 7GCBC. It's so much fun to fly and great STOL performer with the VGs. Will be more than a 140 on initial outlay but I don't think you'll regret it.

They are both fun airplanes to fly. I think the 140 is a little easier to land personally. Both have spring main gear but for some reason the 140 seems a little "stickier" on pavement. If you are going to fly with two people very often the Citabria, with it's tandem seating, will be more comfortable. The 140 cockpit is narrow, designed for humans before the turn of the 21st century. Having said that I have flown with another fairly large person in the right seat and we were fine - we were having too much fun to care!

The Citabria does get off the ground quicker - in fact with a decent head wind it's practically like a helicopter! The Citabria has more limited aerobatic capability. I think the 140 burns less gas.

Both are dirt simple to fly and fairly maneuverable. I've looked on an off for a nice 120 or 140 but they are hard to find. Most of the ones you see are either over priced or look all crapped up IMO. I think a nice Citabria or Champ is easier to find.

Some like sticks better than yokes. It really doesn't matter for the way you fly these planes. In both you can see over the nose easily. On some of the earlier Citabrias and the Champs you have heel brakes. They aren't hard to use and, in fact, because they require deliberate use you are less likely to do something stupid like brake hard with momentum and end on your nose! But they are an acquired taste.

Go fly both and then see what you find.

You guys gave me a lot to think about. I would target an 0-200 140, think they need at least 100 HP. I love to fly the GCBC. Have 20 or so hours and felt the plane was easy and fun. I think it would need to have the metal spar wings - believe that yields the higher gross and empty weights. I prefer side-by-side seating, but the extra room in the tandem seats is great, a good point I had missed.

Has anyone flown a 100 HP 140 with VGs?

Thanks all,

Jim

Wow is that gorgeous!

Jim

No one has mentioned props. My C-95 equipped C-140 would climb 1000fpm on a hot day, fully loaded. A climb prop makes a huge difference.

I never stressed the short-field performance, but it was better than a Bonanza or an A-65 powered Cub.

Citabria 7Kcab

Cessna 140 .

We just finished our 140 after a 9 month rebuild. I haven't flown it yet but my dad and brother took it out for a 30 min Testflight. Still have the instrument panel to go finish off.
Ripping out the Collins transponder / Michell MX-11 and going with a Garmin 430/ 327 / GTR 225 with GMA 240 audio panel.

Flew with no major issues - right aileron needs slight adjustment to fly wings level, hands off. Brake master cylinder has minor leak will - overhaul both sides and fit new lines. They look good but hell gone this far why not just replace it while we in there - so out with seats and floorboards.

Have my Grand uncle's 67 Citabria that might be the next project. It's currently sitting derelict at another airport, if my dad doesn't claim the engine for his retirement project.

The Citabria gets off the ground a lot quicker and as said before almost helicopter like.
I have about 50 hours in it. Not bad for cross country flying and actually gets it's best cruise speed inverted .... It's an early one s/n 63 will need complete recover and I'm sure the wooden spars will need work has sat outside for about 5 years now.

All else runs true bigger cockpit; Carl is 6' 3 and about the same to land only gotcha is the heel brakes. It's really docile can be flown around the pattern without touching the stick and only minor use of trim to flare.

The local CAA jokers shut uncle's flight school down as he was too old at 78 to instruct in their opinion. He loved to teach and the Citabria was his baby. I find it ridiculous as the military guys still take My 91 year old grandfather out in the Katana trainers or Jetrangers and allow him atleast 5 hours stick time every year; he still loves doing spins and Autorotations and is very nimble; My grand uncle;his baby cousin @ 90 has become a recluse and won't even go near an airplane.

Hoping to take granddad and his great grandsons flying in the 140 on Christmas Day. Gramps bought it in 1958 traded it for a Tri- pacer or a Stinson; it bounced around within the cropdusting outfit that dad eventually became chief pilot for and he bought it back finally in 1977.

Dad taught us both to fly in it and always said if anything happened sell all the other planes but made us promise to keep the 140.

If I can get them to agree on the Citabria project will post on how that turns out.

Regards,
Nigel

Sorry to jump in this late.

You cannot compare the C140 to a Citabria. They are two different airplanes. Just as well as compare a Cessna 150 to a Cessna 180.

Now, if you want a fair comparison, depending upon your proposed use, you should compare the Cibabria to the Cessna 170B.

145 HP vs 150 HP. Easy entrance verses PITA entrance. I am 6'3" and can get in and out of a 170. I have flow the Citrabia. It is a big PITA to get in and out of.

The 170 is a tried and true comfortable traveling machine compared to the Citrabia.

The heater is better in the 170. Plus, if you want more power, you can go to the IO360 Lyc or the IO360 Cont.

Plus you have room to put stuff in the 170.

The 140 is a wonderful airplane. But it is a trainer. I learned to fly in a 140A.

The other option would the Stinson 108 series.

Tom

Gaads what a cool family history of flying! The 140 is a beaut. Sure hope you get a chance to turn your talents to the Citabria.

Jim

Check out www.cessna120-140.org for in depth info on the O-200 and VG stc's I know there is at least 1 person there that has that setup. The C85 cranks are getting harder to find so there is an STC to put an O-200 crank and cylinders on the C85/C90 case and that will boost the HP a tish.

Jeff

I don't think the 140A has fowler flaps. Cessna considered it on the never produced 140B , not enough elevator with full flaps. I've owned my 140 for forty years and it is a wonderful airplane.

Good looking airplane. Does your airplane have a dorsal fin fairing?

Robert

Good catch, Robert! The dorsal fin was with the airplane when I bought it. I have never found anyone who knows much about it. It also has the pretty fuselage to flap fairings found on the 140A. Do you know Ken and Lorraine Morris of Poplar Grove, Ill. ? They are responsible for the painting and interior. I keep it shiny.

I do not know them but from my reading I know they are highly respected in the 120/140 community. The dorsal fairing makes it look like a little 170 I think I like it.

I am slowly working on shiny as well, but it is a lot of work.



Robert