Cessna 195 Aircraft (Businessliner)

The Cessna 195 Businessliner is a five-seat, radial-engine tailwheel aircraft produced in the late 1940s and 1950s, widely considered one of the most beautiful general aviation aircraft ever built. Powered by a Jacobs R-755 radial engine burning approximately 14 gallons per hour, the 195 features an all-metal construction, spacious cabin, and the distinctive deep rumble of a radial engine. The 195 represents the pinnacle of postwar luxury personal aviation and commands premium prices at vintage aircraft auctions. It appeals to collectors, vintage aircraft enthusiasts, and pilots who appreciate the combination of classic styling, quality construction, and the character of radial-engine flying.

Cessna 195 aircraft for sale

9 used Cessna 195 aircraft for sale · 5-seat · Used median asking $125,000 · updated yesterday

Cessna 195 Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 195 is a 5-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 110–150 kt (204–278 km/h), a range of 500–600 nm (926–1,111 km), and a useful load of 850–1,200 lbs (386–544 kg).

Performance
Cruise110–150 kt (204–278 km/h)
Max Speed120–162 kt (222–300 km/h)
Range500–600 nm (926–1,111 km)
Service Ceiling15,000–18,000 ft (4,572–5,486 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineJACOBS R-755A2
Horsepower145–300 HP
Fuel Capacity46.0–53.0 gal (174–201 L)
Fuel Burn9.0–14.0 GPH (34–53 L/h)
TBO1,200–1,500 hrs
ICAO TypeC195
Weights & Seats
Seats4–5
Max Gross Weight2,200–3,350 lbs (998–1,520 kg)
Useful Load850–1,200 lbs (386–544 kg)
Production1947–1954

Cessna 195 for Sale

Cessna 195 asking prices range from $69,900 to $275,000, with a median of $125,000 (market reference $150,000).

1950 Cessna 195A

1950 Cessna 195A for sale
$69,900
For Sale
Total Time 5,227
Reg# N9395A US
Location Tulsa, OK
Via Dan Howard Aircraft Sales, Inc.

Cessna 195B

Cessna 195B for sale within typical asking range
$110,000
For Sale
Total Time 3,250
Reg# N4484C US
Location Goodland, KS
Via Rion Stephenson
Multiple sources

1952 Cessna 190

1952 Cessna 190 for sale
$139,000
For Sale
Total Time 3,087
Reg# N3098B US
Location Green Bay, WI

1950 Cessna 195A

1950 Cessna 195A for sale within typical asking range
$140,000
For Sale
Total Time 6,068
Reg# N1008D US
Location Daytona Beach, FL
Via ClearBlue Aero
Listed 23d ago

1940 Cessna 165

1940 Cessna 165 for sale
$150,000
For Sale
Total Time 7
Reg# N25465 US
Location Redondo Beach, CA
Via Platinum Fighter Sales
Multiple sources

1940 Cessna 165 Airmaster

1940 Cessna 165 Airmaster for sale
$161,249
For Sale
Total Time 3,326
Reg# G-BTDE UK
Location United Kingdom
Via Wilco Aviation Limited
Multiple sources
Listed 2mo ago

1951 Cessna 195

1951 Cessna 195 for sale
$248,000
For Sale
Total Time 5,082
Reg# N195WL US
Location Coldwater, MI
Listed 26d ago

Cessna 195

No photo available
within typical asking range
$110,000
For Sale
Total Time 4,866
Reg# N1080D US
Location TX
Via Hyde Aviation
Listed 1mo ago

1949 Cessna 195

No photo available
$275,000
For Sale
Total Time 4,818
Reg# ZK-BEB New Zealand
Location Feilding, New Zealand
Via Dennis Thompson International Limited

Cessna 195 Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
165 1939–1941 4 110 kts (204 km/h) 500 nm (926 km) 850 lbs (386 kg) — Choose the Cessna 165 Airmaster only as a pre-war collector aircraft with access to Warner radial and vintage-fabric expertise. 2
190 1947–1951 5 140 kts (259 km/h) 600 nm (1,111 km) 1,100 lbs (499 kg) — A classic radial-engined taildragger — a roomy, characterful vintage Cessna for collectors and enthusiasts. 1

Compare Cessna 195

Detailed comparisons for the Cessna 195 are being prepared.

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Cessna 195 Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 195 cost? Used 195 prices: $69K – $275K, average $125K (median $125K); market reference $150K, across 6 priced of 9 active listings.

Cessna 195 Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 195 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (14.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$8,680/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$20,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$180/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,500 hrs)$40,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The 195's Jacobs radial engine is the dominant cost driver. Radial overhaul cost significantly exceeds flat-engine alternatives, and finding qualified mechanics is the greater challenge - budget for travel or shipping to a specialist if none is local. At around 14 gph, fuel burn is high for a five-seat aircraft. Annual inspection cost depends heavily on finding an A&P with radial experience; a competent inspector unfamiliar with Jacobs engines is a liability. Parts through Jacobs-specialist suppliers are adequate but require sourcing effort. The 195 rewards owners who treat the maintenance overhead as part of the experience, not a nuisance.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 195

Buying a Cessna 195 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna 195 Businessliner is one of the most distinctive classic aircraft in the used piston market - a five-seat, fixed-gear taildragger powered by a Jacobs seven-cylinder radial engine (about 300 hp) producing approximately 150 knots cruise and 600 nm range. Produced from the late 1940s into the early 1950s, the 195 is an executive-transport design from Cessna's pre-tricycle-gear era.

Radial engine ownership. The Jacobs radial is a fundamentally different maintenance category from the flat-four and flat-six engines on every other Cessna. It uses pressurized-oil lubrication, a different ignition system, and requires mechanics with radial-engine experience - a specialized and shrinking skill set. Pre-buy should include a mechanic with demonstrable Jacobs experience, not just general A&P competency. Cylinder, rocker-box, and master-rod condition are the primary inspection items; verify recent valve work and compression.

Taildragger handling. The 195 requires a tailwheel endorsement and active rudder management on takeoff and landing. It is not a first aircraft or a choice for pilots without tailwheel currency. For qualified tailwheel pilots it rewards proficiency with a distinctive flying experience and genuine cross-country capability for its era.

Collector and community value. The 195 has an active owner community with specialized maintenance resources and a parts network. It is a collector aircraft as much as a utility aircraft; its value is partly in rarity and aesthetics, not just capability. The used market is thin and condition-driven, and exceptional examples command premium prices.

Buy it if you hold a tailwheel endorsement, have access to radial-engine expertise, and appreciate a distinctive 1940s-era executive aircraft - understanding that ownership requires commitment to specialized maintenance beyond the standard Cessna network.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 195

About the Cessna 195
The Cessna 195 was produced 1947–1954, powered by the Jacobs R-755 radial engine (around 300 hp on the 195B). It is a four-to-five-seat taildragger with a radial engine — one of the last radial-engine light aircraft produced in significant numbers. The 195 is a high-performance vintage aircraft requiring radial-engine expertise to maintain and fly.
What makes the 195 special?
The radial engine is the 195's defining characteristic — the Jacobs R-755 provides the distinctive sound, aesthetics, and mechanical character of the radial era. The 195 has excellent visibility, a roomy cabin, and genuine cross-country capability at 140+ knots. For pilots who want a vintage high-performance taildragger with a radial engine, the 195 is the definitive Cessna choice.
What are the maintenance challenges of the 195?
The Jacobs R-755 radial requires specialist knowledge — fewer shops maintain radials than conventional horizontally-opposed engines, and radial cylinders, valve gear, and ignition are fundamentally different from Continental/Lycoming. Owner-operators typically build a relationship with a specific radial shop. The taildragger gear and 70-plus-year-old structure require thorough annual inspection.
195 vs 170B — vintage Cessna comparison
The 195 has more power (around 300 hp vs 145 hp), a more distinctive radial engine, and significantly more performance — but at much higher maintenance complexity and cost. The 170B is simpler and more affordable to own; the 195 is for the committed radial-engine enthusiast who accepts the specialised maintenance commitment.
Is the 195 practical to own and fly today?
For the right buyer, yes. It requires a radial-engine specialist for overhaul and maintenance, a tailwheel endorsement and proficiency, and acceptance of vintage-aircraft overhead. Annual inspection reflects the radial-engine complexity. In return, the 195 provides a unique flying experience that no modern aircraft replicates.

Cessna 195 Inventory by Country

United States7
United Kingdom1
New Zealand1

Cessna 195 by Decade

1950s4

Cessna 195 Safety Record

Across all 195 variants, 175 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2025. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

175

Total Events

130

Incidents

7

Serious

16

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Nov 28, 2025 Downers Grove, IL Minor The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around.
Aug 08, 2025 Memphis, TN Incident —
Oct 31, 2024 Bethel, PA Minor The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Sep 18, 2024 Dyersburg, TN Incident Failure of the tailwheel strut, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing roll and a runway excursi…
Jul 19, 2024 Greenville, MI Incident The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing which led to a ground-loop.

NTSB records 1982–2025. Includes all Cessna 195 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed yesterday · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data