Cessna 120/140 - Max Gross Weight Increase

hamer

hamer

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Jun 15, 2018
Messages
266
Location
SoCal
Display Name
Display name:
hamer
I'm a new private pilot and I'm looking at the Cessna 120/140 as my first airplane. I've found one I'm very interested in. The standard 120/140 comes with an 85hp engine, this one was upgraded with a 135hp O290D2. The issue is that engine weighs a bit more and useable weight is now only 412lbs. With me (180lbs) and full tanks (150lbs) it only leaves 82lbs for passenger/cargo.

Now, obvously the airplane has 160% the power of the original motor, so I know it can handle it, but I would like to be legal with at least my girlfriend (105lbs), but ideally with a normal sized human and 20-30lbs of cargo.

What are my options here? It would be nice to be able to fly with full tanks on longer flights. Can I get it certified for a higher gross weight? What's the process like?

Thanks,
 
86AD40DC-840E-4B71-B313-758F98F63610.jpeg 6D1186E5-FECA-4ADA-8018-616F87D4D6CA.jpeg 6EDE8E6C-0E68-4388-907E-9D0B40A2A9FA.jpeg B5FEA79A-C369-4056-BB9B-FF4E79ADCA86.jpeg Sometimes I think about selling mine. It’s not the average cheap 140 though. It is top notch.
O-200 100 hp
Would take $42,000 to get it.
 
^Beautiful airplane. I would love to buy it, but it's about double what I'm looking at. Looks to be worth every penny though. I love the neutral interior and updated panel.

I just got off the phone with the local FSDO. We found the original STC that the engine was installed on, he thought maybe that would have included an increase in max gross, however it didn't state anything. He didn't have any info about being able to increase gross after the fact.

Still looking for ideas if anyone has any.

Thanks.
 
Search STCs for the 140 and see if there's one available. It's very possible that power isn't the limiting factor, though.
 
Go to the Cessna 120-140 Association website and forum (www.cessna120-140.org). You will find a tremendous body of information there and a bunch of very knowledgeable owners and mechanics. Pretty much anything that can be done, has been done and you will benefit from hearing what others have to say. You will need to join the Association to get the full benefit. A 140A was my first airplane many years ago and you can't go wrong with this model series.
 
Rob58 said:
Go to the Cessna 120-140 Association website and forum (www.cessna120-140.org). You will find a tremendous body of information there and a bunch of very knowledgeable owners and mechanics. Pretty much anything that can be done, has been done and you will benefit from hearing what others have to say. You will need to join the Association to get the full benefit. A 140A was my first airplane many years ago and you can't go wrong with this model series.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I can't figure out how to join, there seems to be alot of broken outdated links. The "Join" link takes me to the store. The forum has no link to sign up.
 
hamer said:
Thanks. I can't figure out how to join, there seems to be alot of broken outdated links. The "Join" link takes me to the store. The forum has no link to sign up.
Click to expand...
The website is in the process of being updated, however all of the very valuable information, STC data, service bulletins and other technical data is available. To join, go to the store, select "Membership" (and choose the option you want), then just checkout as you would if you were buy a hat of a shirt. We will get you setup with login credentials within a few hours. The same credentials will allow you to login to the Members Only area of the website and also to the forum. Here's the link to the membership section of the store:

https://www.cessna120-140.org/store/shop/index.php?categoryID=763
 
pigpenracing said:
I can't believe I am not a member of that forum.
Click to expand...
You better join up! Then, please post some pictures of your great looking plane on the forum site. Also, to all interested Cessna 120-140 owners or enthusiasts, there is a Fly-In at Santa Ynez tomorrow. Check out the announcement on the forum under Calendar of Events... https://www.cessna120140.com/Forum2018/
 
NordicDave said:
Should be grandfathered into LSA category, like the 150/152 discussion.
Click to expand...
Well, since we are talking an increase in the weight requirement for LSA, anything weighing under 1600/1670 would automatically be covered.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top