Is a C140 a good plane for a first time owner who just wants to fly VFR and fly to local airports? Or are they getting too old and difficult to maintain? Trying to get some preliminary information on them.

You bet! They are pretty simple, and most are parts still available. Good performance on the power. Of all the postwar 2 seaters (Champ, Chief, Cub, Luscombe, etc...) they are easily the most modern, a real plane that you can use. If you can find a 140A they are basically a 150.

The sprung gear Cessna taildraggers aren't particularly hard to fly, but they are hard to fly well. If you can get proficient wheel landing a 140 you'll be able to wheel land almost any taildragger.

Great entry level airplanes, not only that but a lot of fun!

How tall are you? Like many aircraft of that vintage, they are not built with long-legged pilots in mind.

It’s one of those airplanes that you buy as ‘entry level’ but you’ll still be flying it for fun, years after you’ve stepped into something more complex, (and expensive.)

OK, I'm very biased... I would pick a Luscombe 8E over a 140 any day. Control sticks and sportier handling make the choice obvious.

Still, the 140 is a nice airplane, one of those which truly deserve the "classic" designation.

As for maintenance, buying a good one is far preferable to buying one which might have some lurking maintenance issues, just the same as any other airplane. The older they are, the greater the probability that a gremlin of some sort is hiding under that pretty skin. (I'm talkin' about airplanes here - don't be thinkin' about those "other" things that seem to follow this same rule!)

Worked well for my Dad. He purchased one and got his license in it. Shortly after, he flew it to Mexico City. He met my mom on a beach in Acapulco and was married a couple weeks later. Nine months later my sister came along and out went the 140 and the 55 Tbird though.

Great little planes!
I have owned several, a C120 and two 140A’s
Problem areas to check are the spar ( Gotta look under the headliner), tail wheel bracket and the gear boxes.
Fun little airplane but tight inside with two folks.
Take the wheel extenders to the trash can if so equipped!

I love mine!

Here's a Pirep I wrote on it a while back:

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=225456

With proper tailwheel instruction and endorsement

Here is a Beauty

Titanium tailpipes made per sample to match

Did you check insurance rates?
Were I leaned to fly, one had to solo in the Champ before being allowed to fly the 152. I also had the keys to a 140. The challenge was ingress and egress for the Cessnas.

Get a light one. Like their pilots many got fat over the years!! Look for one with something close to a 900lb empty weight.

Thanks guys. I am 5’11 and 180lbs. Never sat in a 140 before and have zero taildragger time. I like the way they look and it’s one of the few planes I would consider in my budget. At least according to a good rule of thumb I read on BT before.

Almost exactly my dimensions. I’ve owned a Luscombe 8A & flown C-120/140 and Taylorcraft. No issues.

Agree on all comments above. Ours flys great and has remarkable speed/ fuel economy for that little C85 engine. cabin is a tight fit for two even if both aren’t big people.

Also agree on the Luscombe vs Cessna comment. I’ve flown both and the luscombe is way more fun to fly. More responsive and has sticks rather than control wheel. Both are cramped cabins. The 140 has more headroom.

note that there are both metal wing planes and fabric wing 140’s. Ours is fabric wing and is light. Flaps don’t do much but add a little drag.

make sure to get a good inspection before buying. The three items mentioned in the previous post are important.