Restored Cessna 140s turn up at every vintage fly-in, often in polished aluminum, and their owners will happily tell you how little there is inside: a handful of instruments, a few switches, and a view over the nose that rewards good tailwheel habits.
The 120 and 140 are two-seat, side-by-side Cessna taildraggers from the late 1940s. Simple doesn’t mean checklist-free. Fuel, carburetor heat, magnetos and trim still matter, and many of these airplanes have had engines, radios or other equipment changed over the decades.
A clean, model-specific checklist gives a classic airplane a modern cockpit reference. Compare it with the owner’s manual and any supplements in the airplane’s records so it reflects the 120 or 140 you actually fly.
Quick answer: CheckMate Cessna 120 / 140 Checklist is a model-specific cockpit checklist for pilots who fly the Cessna 120 and 140. It suits owners and pilots of these classic two-seat taildraggers. It’s offered as the original CheckMate, CheckMate+ and the personalized CheckMate Pro, with the CheckMate versions in Standard and Compact sizes. It supplements, not replaces, the airplane’s POH/AFM, so confirm it matches your aircraft’s exact model, year, engine and handbook before relying on it. It’s available on Skyfarer and at Skyfarer Shop.
What you can order
- CheckMate. The design that started it all, with the familiar legacy look, in Standard (6.5″ x 9″) or Compact (5″ x 7″) size.
- CheckMate+. Updated design language for better readability and safety, with passenger and crew briefing prompts, abort plan prompts and ATC communications prompts. It includes an instant low-res, black-and-white temporary digital download, and comes in Standard (6.5″ x 9″) or Compact (5″ x 7″) size.
- CheckMate Pro. A personalized version of CheckMate+. Add your tail number, name or phone number, your empty weight and useful load, and details for up to five airports you visit often. Typical production time is within 48 hours; Standard (6.5″ x 9″) or Compact (5″ x 7″) size.
Putting it to work
- Compare it with the POH/AFM. Read it side by side with your airplane’s handbook and check speeds, limitations and emergency procedures. Where they differ, the handbook wins.
- Match model, year and engine. Check the airplane’s registration and data plate, then confirm the checklist fits that model, year and engine, and any STCs installed.
- Check the airplane’s history. Look through the logbooks for engine changes and major alterations, and confirm the checklist still matches the equipment installed.
- Read, then verify. Many pilots run a flow from memory and then read the checklist to verify. Whatever method you were taught, use it the same way each time.
Pilot tip: On a vintage airplane, keep a copy of the current weight and balance with the checklist. Decades of equipment changes add up, and the figures in the airplane’s records are the ones that count.
More photos
Where to buy
CheckMate Cessna 120 / 140 Checklist is sold by Skyfarer Shop. Find it on the Skyfarer marketplace or order directly from Skyfarer Shop. Either link shows the current price, shipping options and return terms.
Frequently asked questions
Does one checklist cover both the 120 and the 140?
The listing is titled for both. The two models aren’t identical, so compare the checklist with the documents for your own airplane.
Does this checklist replace the POH?
No. It supplements the airplane’s POH/AFM, which remains the authority for procedures, limitations and performance. Confirm the checklist matches your aircraft’s exact model, year, engine and handbook.
What’s the difference between Standard and Compact?
Standard is 6.5″ x 9″ and Compact is 5″ x 7″. Compact suits smaller kneeboards and tight cockpits; Standard gives the print more room.
