Today’s Top AircraftForSale Pick: 1953 Cessna 195 Businessliner

With 375 hp and modern avionics, this mid-20th century aircraft is ready for current missions.

This Cessna 195 combines vintage charm with modern avionics. [Courtesy: Skywagons.com]

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an aircraft that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

When shopping for an aircraft, pilots often look for models that have a broad appeal and “check a lot of boxes.” Perhaps you want something fairly fast that can carry your family and look stylish while doing so. A dash of vintage charm would help, too. Have you always wanted a taildragger? The list of candidates narrows significantly, but the Cessna 195 comes in near the top.

This luxury five-seater harks back to aviation’s “Golden Age” with curved lines and a big radial engine, while an aluminum structure, cantilever wing, and high horsepower give it mid-century-modern flair. The airplane for sale here has a 21st century modern panel, with IFR equipment including a Garmin GTN 650 GPS/com, Garmin GNC 255A digital nav/com, EDM 750 engine monitor, and an autopilot.

The 195 descended from Cessna’s 165 Airmaster, a 1930s classic that made a big impression in the GA market and helped Cessna thrive in the wake of the Great Depression. The post-World War II 195 bears a family resemblance to its ancestor but is a significantly more advanced and capable machine. Today it is well supported by the Cessna 195 Club and other enthusiast organizations.

This 195 has a total of 2,711 hours on the airframe, 326 hours since overhaul on its 375 hp fuel-injected Jacobs radial engine, and 326 hours on the Hamilton Standard propeller.

Pilots who want a solid traveling airplane that has more ramp appeal than most—and will be welcome at nearly any vintage fly-in—should take a closer look at this Cessna 195, which is available for $115,500 on AircraftForSale. You can arrange financing of the airplane through FLYING Financial Group. For more information, email info@flyingfinancial.com.

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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