REVIEW Aeroworks Cessna 195 2013/07

The AeroWorks Cessna 195 is a beautiful aircra with classic lines.
Scale appeal
with a trainer
feel
First Impressions
Unpacking the box showed not only a
well-built airplane, but care in packaging
to keep it in good condition during its
travels. The covering required minor
attention, which is expected because
of heat and humidity changes during
storage and transportation. It was easily
smoothed out with a heat gun and a
cotton glove.
Great care had been taken to organize
the parts and hardware in a logical
fashion. The hardware was of excellent
quality and well suited for its intended
purpose. This is a large airplane that
requires plenty of surface area to lay out
everything.
The aircraft came with a CD
containing the building instructions. I
may be old-school, but I would prefer a
paper manual that I could mark up if I
wished. I printed the manual from the
CD and it was quite extensive. I think
offering both the CD and a paper manual
or a choice of the two might be a good
idea, even if it slightly increases the cost.
Construction
The Cessna 195 was my fi rst AeroWorks
aircraft and I was impressed with the 94-
page instruction manual. Although it was
as thick as the one that came with my
new TV, it was more helpful. Contained
within were more than 100 color photos
illustrating each step of the assembly
process.
The manual was clear, concise, and
presented a well-thought-out plan of
attack for the build. I will only briefl y
touch on the assembly process. If you
would like to learn more, download the
manual from the AeroWorks website listed
in the “Sources” section.
The Cessna comes with a detailed
cockpit, which includes the instrument
panel, yokes, seats, and fl oor. With a little
research and the help of my friend and
National Model Aviation Museum director,
Michael Smith, we added more detail
to the instrument panel and its myriad
displays. I also found that the provided
yokes are slightly different than the photos
found online, but that is minor.
Jack Frost
AEROWORKS CESSNA  [email protected]
Photos by Jay Smith
www.ModelAviation.com JULY 2013 Model Aviation 57
057-060_MA0713_Cessna.indd 57 5/20/13 4:13 PM
Michael Smith modified the instrument
panel adding more detail to the display.
The 4-40 ball link assemblies and aluminum control horns provide a nice, sturdy linkage.
The cavernous radio compartment provides plenty
of room for the Hitec HS-5685 servos and receiver
battery.
Behind the seats is a tray to
mount the rudder and elevator
servos. After they were installed,
I decided to mount a floor above
them to hide the servos and
retain the scalelike appearance.
What now looks like a cargo bay
can be removed for easy access
to the servos because it is held in
place with Velcro.
The Hitec HS-5645 servos
easily mount to the servo hatches
and the ailerons and flaps have
been prehinged and glued to the
wing panels, saving the builder
some time. The 4-40 ball link
assemblies and aluminum control
horns provide sturdy linkage.
Using internal rudder and
elevator drive assemblies keeps
the tail free of control horns
and linkages. That’s a nice touch
that improves the aircraft’s scale
outline. The drive assemblies are
hidden by the tail cone assembly.
I enlarged the hole for the tail
wheel assembly in the tail cone
to prevent it from cracking if the
tail wheel flexed during landing.
When I installed the landing gear, I noted that the fuselage
was reinforced in this area. When the gear and the gear cover
were installed, the assembly felt beefy and I was confident that
it would hold up when flying from grass and making any lessthan-
perfect landings—not that I would need to worry about
that, right?
The well-made fiberglass wheel pants complement the
aircraft. They also allow plenty of clearance for the wheels so
that they can be used even when flying from unpaved runways.
The Syssa Aircraft Performance SAP-180HP gas engine was
chosen for this airplane and was easily mounted with the help
of the included engine mounting box. The engine uses a Pittsstyle
muffler and required some trimming for
the muffler, the engine head, and spark plug.
One disappointment I have often
experienced with ARFs is that either the
paint on the cowl doesn’t match the covering
or the colors don’t align with the fuselage. In
this case the match was perfect. Thank you,
AeroWorks!
The radio installation was easily
accomplished, and even with my large hands
I could work inside the fuselage without issue.
I went with AeroWorks’ recommendation
and used a McDaniel Remote Switch to
operate the navigation lights.
I opted to put them on my gear channel
58 Model Aviation July 2013 www.ModelAviation.com
057-060_MA0713_Cessna.indd 58 5/24/13 8:49 AM
Using a template
made from cardstock
offered an easy cowl
modification for the
engine.
The Syssa Aircraft Performance 30cc engine is beautiful and powerful.
to be activated at the flip of a switch.
Wanting to go all out with the lights, I
also installed the optional beacon kit. The
beacon lens mount and a hobby knife
were used to remove the covering and
wood at the top of the fuselage.
When attaching the wings for final assembly, they are slid
onto the carbon-fiber wing tube and then two 8-32 wing
mounting bolts, two #8 rubber-backed washers, and two
clips are used to secure it. The clips are inserted into the rear
aluminum, anti-rotation wing dowels and can easily be dropped
inside the fuselage. Using a piece of fishing line securely fastened
to them and then tied inside the fuselage will ensure they are
not misplaced.
Checking the CG on an aircraft as large as the Cessna is
not easy. AeroWorks included the CG Buddy with the Cessna
195. This handy tool allows the builder to balance the airplane
without needing an assistant. Mine balanced perfectly at 55/8
inches back from the wing’s LE measured at the root as stated
in the manual.
Control throws were set per the manual for high and
low rates using the provided deflection meters. The manual
recommends 15% exponential on low rates and 30% on high
rates; however, I prefer to “feel” what the aircraft is doing and
opted not to use any exponential.
Engine
The SAP-180HP is a beast of a power plant! During the
break-in, I never had to turn a screw on the engine. Within
two tanks full of the recommended break-in fuel mix, it was
idling reliably and provided plenty of power. I used a highquality,
non-synthetic oil mix of 40:1 for initial run and test
flights.
Flying
I opted to fly my first flight on the Cessna from a grass
strip and went to Site 4 at the International Aeromodeling
Center in Muncie, Indiana. After field assembly, fueling,
and preflight, I started the engine and warmed it up. The
outside temperature was roughly 55° with a 10-12 mph
quartering crosswind.
The Syssa engine provides plenty of power so I slowly
advanced the throttle and the 195 lifted off at 1/3 power in
roughly 75 feet. The Cessna was climbing well and I reduced
power to maintain a pattern altitude.
Did I mention that this engine was a beast? It never missed a
beat until I cut the power.
I flew slow and fast passes for the camera, with
and without flaps. This airplane is as honest as it
gets. It likes rudder to coordinate the turns, and
shows minimal elevator change with flaps at half
or full. Also important—it looks great in the air!
One word of caution: the rudder is powerful! It
will easily overpower the ailerons if you let it.
If you follow the recommended control surface
throws, the Cessna 195 will be a pussycat to fly in
a scalelike manner. It slows down well with half
flaps showing no bad habits. It cross controls well,
allowing the pilot to sideslip it if it is slightly high
on final approach.
Although I didn’t attempt it, I wouldn’t be
surprised if the Syssa engine could hover the
Cessna. It has plenty of steam to perform basic
aerobatics such as Hammerhead turns and loops.
Conclusion
This was my first experience with an AeroWorks aircraft
and I am impressed, not only with the quality but also the
thoughtfulness that goes into it. Things such as throw meters,
the CG Buddy, and providing a thorough instruction manual
with countless photos, help ensure a positive experience.
www.ModelAviation.com July 2013 Model Aviation 59
057-060_MA0713_Cessna.indd 59 5/20/13 4:14 PM
Using a template
made from cardstock
offered an easy cowl
modification for the
engine.
The Syssa Aircraft Performance 30cc engine is beautiful and powerful.
to be activated at the flip of a switch.
Wanting to go all out with the lights, I
also installed the optional beacon kit. The
beacon lens mount and a hobby knife
were used to remove the covering and
wood at the top of the fuselage.
When attaching the wings for final assembly, they are slid
onto the carbon-fiber wing tube and then two 8-32 wing
mounting bolts, two #8 rubber-backed washers, and two
clips are used to secure it. The clips are inserted into the rear
aluminum, anti-rotation wing dowels and can easily be dropped
inside the fuselage. Using a piece of fishing line securely fastened
to them and then tied inside the fuselage will ensure they are
not misplaced.
Checking the CG on an aircraft as large as the Cessna is
not easy. AeroWorks included the CG Buddy with the Cessna
195. This handy tool allows the builder to balance the airplane
without needing an assistant. Mine balanced perfectly at 55/8
inches back from the wing’s LE measured at the root as stated
in the manual.
Control throws were set per the manual for high and
low rates using the provided deflection meters. The manual
recommends 15% exponential on low rates and 30% on high
rates; however, I prefer to “feel” what the aircraft is doing and
opted not to use any exponential.
Engine
The SAP-180HP is a beast of a power plant! During the
break-in, I never had to turn a screw on the engine. Within
two tanks full of the recommended break-in fuel mix, it was
idling reliably and provided plenty of power. I used a highquality,
non-synthetic oil mix of 40:1 for initial run and test
flights.
Flying
I opted to fly my first flight on the Cessna from a grass
strip and went to Site 4 at the International Aeromodeling
Center in Muncie, Indiana. After field assembly, fueling,
and preflight, I started the engine and warmed it up. The
outside temperature was roughly 55° with a 10-12 mph
quartering crosswind.
The Syssa engine provides plenty of power so I slowly
advanced the throttle and the 195 lifted off at 1/3 power in
roughly 75 feet. The Cessna was climbing well and I reduced
power to maintain a pattern altitude.
Did I mention that this engine was a beast? It never missed a
beat until I cut the power.
I flew slow and fast passes for the camera, with
and without flaps. This airplane is as honest as it
gets. It likes rudder to coordinate the turns, and
shows minimal elevator change with flaps at half
or full. Also important—it looks great in the air!
One word of caution: the rudder is powerful! It
will easily overpower the ailerons if you let it.
If you follow the recommended control surface
throws, the Cessna 195 will be a pussycat to fly in
a scalelike manner. It slows down well with half
flaps showing no bad habits. It cross controls well,
allowing the pilot to sideslip it if it is slightly high
on final approach.
Although I didn’t attempt it, I wouldn’t be
surprised if the Syssa engine could hover the
Cessna. It has plenty of steam to perform basic
aerobatics such as Hammerhead turns and loops.
Conclusion
This was my first experience with an AeroWorks aircraft
and I am impressed, not only with the quality but also the
thoughtfulness that goes into it. Things such as throw meters,
the CG Buddy, and providing a thorough instruction manual
with countless photos, help ensure a positive experience.
www.ModelAviation.com July 2013 Model Aviation 59
057-060_MA0713_Cessna.indd 59 5/20/13 4:14 PM