I couldn’t resist. Art deco style Cessna from the early 1950’s, made by Carenado, and sold at a good price on the Marketplace meant that I just had to pick it up. A review will be forthcoming but in the meantime I wanted to document a fun flight that I undertook with the aircraft. Let’s go!
Van Nuys takeoff
This is my second flight journal piece taking me out from Van Nuys Airport. It’s an airport that I have some scenery for so its always nice to fly from a custom airport. This time I went in a different direction off to the west, weaving my way above Simi Valley, over the peaks of Los Padres National Forest and then in to the scenic Santa Barbara. Here’s how it went.
Applying power carefully but steadily, I was able to direct the Cessna 195 in a relatively straight manner down the runway. With some gusting winds (new in SU10) and low clouds, this was going to be a more moody flight but the Cessna 195 seems to be able to handle that relatively well.
The 195 was used primarily as a business airplane although in the modern day it’s a historic GA airplane that attracts collectors and enthusiasts looking to recapture that moment in history. The Cessna 195 is fitted with a Jacobs R-755 radial engine producing about 300 horsepower so its no slouch and once I was up in the air, we climbed steadily and confidently.
Through the valleys to Santa Barbara
Staying VFR meant working my way through some low clouds and taking advantage of the cuts between ridgelines. This lead me north to Simi Valley and then west.
Beneath me were plenty of suburbs, interstate, and mountain ridges in almost equal measure.
At one point a ridge line came up rather suddenly and I had to take advantage of the 300 hp radial engine to boost me up and over it. On the other side I saw a break in the clouds and some sun filled the area ahead making for stark contrast. Plenty of early morning fog continued to fill the valleys as well.
Eventually I emerged along the coastline and made a beeline for Santa Barbara. ATC confirmed my landing request and vectored me in on a right hand approach to runway 7. My approach was good but my flare came a little soon and the aircraft required some straightening up before the wheels touched down. Note to self: Don’t let the speed bleed off too quickly with this one.
After that, it was a quick taxi over to a parking space and time to shut the engine off, open the doors, and go and find some lunch. A great flight and a good first introduction to the Carenado/Asobo Cessna 195! Review to come.
Stormbirds 
This looks like a lovely airplane that I will need to try!
How is the sound of the plane? Nicely purring radial in Wwise 3D? Do wind sounds on either side of the cockpit get stronger when you move your head by the window?
I enjoy these brief flight reports very much, thanks for writing!
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Thanks for reading them! I often don’t know how much value they add but people have seemed to appreciate them over the years.
Really good sound. Not the absolute best but definitely one of the better ones.
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Excellent!
Which of the prop planes are your favorites, sound-wise?
Mine so far:
1. PT-17 Stearman
2. Flying Iron Simulations Spitfire Mr. IX
3. Default Cessna 152
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The Kodiak 100 is superb and I’m testing the RV-14, also from SWS, and its really good too. The RV-14 is maybe not a beautiful sounding engine but the work on the sound is great. Especially the throttle up/down.
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Thanks, I had not heard of the RV-14! Will add it to the to-try list!
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Review coming soon!
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I believe Flying Iron’s Hellcat should be hitting the sim marketplace in a week or so. That thing has a very nice sounding engine, and you can back it all the way to 20″ and 1200 RPM, Auto lean for some very low fuel consumption and very long cruise distances.
I need to get solid on landings and instrument navigation, but I do want to attempt a Saddle Sore run in it.
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Thanks, Harry!
I am currently choosing a series of airplanes for an around the world trip in the sim and sound quality is on the top of the list of considerations, so your tip is much appreciated!
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All piston engine or are you looking at some jets too? There’s a few that I intend to check out soon.
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Piston engines only as I prefer the whirly birds in MSFS. I’m not sure why!
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Sound is great. Carenado did the Waco Y-MF5 which has a radial engine, so they know what’s up.
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Yep, I will second that. The sound is quite good!
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Thanks!
I am always looking for good-sounding planes as audio is so important for the immersion!
I am thinking of trying the Waco next, or maybe the Staggerwing!
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That’s a snazzy looking plane. Great style. Not a purchase for me, but I’m happy to read about you flying it.
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I couldn’t resist it! It’s very fun and snazzy. Probably see it a bunch more!
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