Used Aircraft Guide: Cessna 195 Businessliner

Mid-century classic shares several features familiar to pilots of newer aircraft.

Jonathan Welsh

Monday, March 30, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Steve Allen has logged 1,500 hours in this 195, which he bought 18 years ago. [Credit: Glenn Watson]

Key Takeaways:

A pilot seeking a practical family aircraft (Piper PA-32) unexpectedly discovered and purchased a vintage 1947 Cessna 195 Businessliner, drawn to its unique charm and a vibrant owner community.
Despite its antique status and radial engine, the Cessna 195 is portrayed as a practical, capable, and well-supported aircraft for modern general aviation, offering comfortable travel and attracting significant attention.
Owning and operating a Cessna 195 requires adapting to specific procedures, such as hand-pulling its radial engine propeller and mastering taildragger ground handling, fostering a unique and rewarding pilot-aircraft relationship.
The aircraft benefits from strong community support, including the International Cessna 195 Club and specialized FBOs, which are crucial for maintenance, flight instruction, and finding these relatively rare planes on the used market.

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How does one go shopping for a Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six and wind up flying home in a 1947 Cessna 195 Businessliner?

Ask Chris Thomsen, who was on the lookout in 2013 for an airplane with more muscle than the Piper Arrow he was flying. As his family and baggage requirements grew, the Arrow gradually revealed the limitations of its useful load. The bigger, more-powerful six-place Piper would be a sensible solution.