 What makes a plane a classic?
 In the sky our hearts beat faster when we admire the enduring loveliness of a particular airplane, which for one reason or another achieves the status of a standard of perfection. It is the quality of enduring value that defines something as a classic, rather than being a passing fancy.
 The Cessna 195, Cessna's cabin class "Business Liner" possesses these qualities. A little before its time, already an antique, round engine and taildragger makes it instant nostalgia.
With its big wing and sleek lines, the 195 was a very efficient, and yet very rugged ship for its day. It was designed for a time when municipal airports were more often muddy, dirty strips rather than thousands of feet of smooth pavement. There can be no doubt that she's an aircraft from a different era in American aviation, although the fine performance and load-hauling capacity of this classic airplane (200k jpg file) keeps it in the competitive world of today's aviation.
 The big Jacobs radial may block your vision, leak a little oil, require additional pilot attention, but it sounds beautiful. The nostalgic sound of a radial engine coughing and sputtering to life is one that inspires awe and respect from many pilots.
 Born in anticipation of a post-war aviation boom that never materialized, the 195 was the last of its kind. Stately and proud to be sure, but old before its time. After all, why should anyone pay $22,000 for a radial engine, fixed-gear monster when the newest sexy V-tail retractable delivered greater range and economy for four thousand dollars less. Whatever the price, Cessna's radial engined single retains the class of an era long past and mostly forgotten. Like a not quite retired thoroughbred, the 195 has grown old gracefully, defiant of the hands of time, reluctant to bow to its descendants and fully deserving of the title "Classic."
By Kent Blankenburg
With Respect for Mr. Cessna's Finest Airship
38th Annual International Cessna 195 Club Fly-In
Fredericksburg, Texas
October 9-12, 2008
Join the International Cessna 195 Club October 9-12 for the 2008 Convention and Fly-in to be held at the Hangar Hotel and Convention Center at Gillespie County Airport in Fredericksburg, Texas, the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Tie down your plane 100 yards from your room and enjoy a large serving of Texas hospitality!
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Club Members Only
Club members may access on-line newsletters, maintenance information and locate other members by searching on name, state or aircraft registration.
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Hangar Talk
Visit our Bulletin Board for comments about the Club, Cessna 195, aviation in general and anything else of interest to Club Members and other lovers of the Cessna 195.
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Photo Gallery
contains hundreds of photos of the Cessna 195 provided by our members ranging from the poetic to the details of engine design.
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Club Events
Photos and background from Club Events starting with the Club's formation in 1969.
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Resources
Advertisements, Brochures and Articles
A broad collection of information regarding Cessna 195's and other classic Cessnas dating from 1946 to the present.
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Services
Maintenance, Training, Memorabilia and Much More
Information and links to maintenance, repair and restoration facilities, parts, training videos, aircraft models, apparel, custom aircraft paintings...
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Memories
Articles, Stories and Reminiscences
Club members write about the Cessna 195, flying in general and the greater questions of life.
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| 37th Annual 2007 Fly-In
Lloyd Sorensen's travelogue describes our Club's 37th Annual Flyin and celebration of the Cessna 195's 60th Anniversary. The flyin, held in Benton, Kansas, featured Cessna's former chief production pilot, 99 year old Mort Brown, Cessna factory tours and much more.
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36th Annual 2006 Fly-In
Photos and a Summary of our 36th Annual Fly-In held in Santa Ynez, CA Sep 21-24, 2006. The fly-in was located in the heart of Santa Barbara's wine country and featured guest speaker, Bob Hoover.
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| 35th Annual 2005 Fly-In
Photos and a summary of our 35th Annual Fly-in held in beautiful Saratoga Springs, NY. The fly-in was hosted by Bill and Jeanne Milton. Highlights of the fly-in included the break-out sessions during the Maintenance Seminar and Jack Miller, our 99 year old guest speaker, who spoke of flying everything from Pitcairn Autogyros to 747s.
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34th Annual 2004 Fly-In
Photos and a Summary of our 34th Annual Fly-In held in Midland, Texas Sep 30 - Oct 3, 2004. The fly-in was a great success in spite of Zeus flinging his thunderbolts hither, dither and yon.
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| 33rd Annual 2003 Fly-In
Photos and a Summary of our 33rd Annual 2003 Fly-In held in Dayton, Ohio September 25-28, 2003. The fly-in was hosted by Jack and Karen Jackowski.
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32nd Annual 2002 Fly-In
Photos and a Summary of our 32nd Annual Fly-In held in Midland, Texas October 3-6, 2002. The fly-in was hosted by Bob Reiss with lots of help from the Commemorative (aka Confederate) Air Force..
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| 31st Annual Year 2000 Fly-In
Photos and a Summary of our 31st Annual "Year 2000" Fly-In held in LaCrosse, Wisconsin September 14-16, 2000. The fly-in was hosted by John and Kitten Blickhan.
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30th Annual "Deja Vu" Fly-In
Photos from our 30th Annual "Deja Vu" Fly-In held in El Paso, Texas September 29 - October 3, 1999. The fly-in was hosted by Larry and Ginnie Bartlett who also hosted the 1975 Fly-In in El Paso.
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Want to Join or More Information?
The International Cessna 195 Club was founded in 1969 by Dwight Ewing to promote the use and enjoyment of the Cessna 195 series of classic aircraft. Today, the Club has 736 members from 50 states and 15 countries.
Membership Application Form
For more information:
Coyle Schwab, President
The International Cessna 195 Club
632 North Tyler Road
St Charles, Illinois 60174
Tel: 630-513-7002
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