.jpg)
Introduction
The "Golden Age" of aviation and the period immediately post
World War II were two classic periods of development in aviation
and the general aviation aircraft category in particular. For
the significance these periods represent in aviation history,
they attract a relatively minor focus in the development of
aircraft for flight simulator enthusiasts. As amazing as the
latest, most complex, "glass cockpit" equipped, full function
FMS, and autopilot controlled aircraft are, there is something
about classic aircraft which hold an extra attraction, an object
of beauty. Maybe it's the sound of a deep burbling radial engine
or simply the fact you actually have to "fly" the aircraft -
real hands on with no autopilot, no "children of the magenta"
here.
Alabeo have previously produced wonderful renditions of classic
aircraft such as the Beechcraft Model 17 'Staggerwing',
Granville Gee Bee Model Z, and Waco YMF-5. They have now added
another classic from the 1940's, the Cessna Model 195 'Businessliner'.
With its Jacobs R-755-A2 radial engine, the Cessna 195 'Businessliner'
certainly sounds magnificent, but this classic Cessna aircraft
is deserving of a closer look.
History
The Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is a five seat, single engine,
general aviation aircraft which was derived from the pre-war
Cessna Model 165. It has a cantilever wing and a conventional,
flat sprung steel, landing gear, and was the first Cessna
aircraft to be completely constructed of aluminium.
Primarily marketed as a business aircraft, it was also used by
the military in a light transport and utility role. Production
of the 195 'Businessliner' ran from 1947 to 1954 with 1,180
units being produced.
Availability and Installation
The Alabeo Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is currently available
direct from Alabeo and Alabeo resellers as a 'download only'
product (some resellers also offer a master back-up CD / DVD
service for a minor additional cost). It is priced at US$22.95,
or the equivalent on currency cross rates. The file size of
145MB is reasonable for an aircraft of this type and quality and
it requires 390MB of HDD space for installation. Depending on
where it was purchased, an ‘activation key' may be issued to be
used during installation.
Documents
There are three manuals / documents provided in Adobe Acrobat
format (.pdf):
● Normal Procedures – Normal Procedures –
this eight page manual provides the procedures for the normal
operation of the aircraft;
● Performance Tables – this two page document
details the operating cruise performance specifications of the
aircraft; and
● Reference – this one page document details
the performance specifications of the aircraft.
Model Features
With a basic avionics suite, the Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is a
solid, rudimentary, general aviation aircraft and Alabeo have
modelled this beautifully. This is an aircraft for hands on
flying, the simple experience and pure pleasure of flight. This
review has involved over 15 hours of specific flight testing
flying hours and it is evident Alabeo have delivered an aircraft
in the 195 'Businessliner' which focuses solidly on the joy of
flying.
The model features listed by Alabeo for the Cessna 195 'Businessliner'
are typical of models in the Alabeo range and include:
● HD quality textures;
● High quality 3D model and textures;
● Material shines and reflections;
● Gauge reflections;
● Windows scratches (crazing) and blade
shines; and
● Realistic behaviour.
There is a single model provided (two pilots),
six HD paint
schemes and a blank texture provided for aircraft painting
enthusiasts.
General Visual Appearance
Exterior. Alabeo's Cessna 195 'Businessliner'
displays a high level of attention to accuracy and detail. A
comparative review of photographs of real world aircraft to
Alabeo's rendition reveal the exterior shape and dimensions to
be highly accurate and a true representation of the real world
aircraft. The were some noted minor differences, but these are
considered to be related to real world production variations and
/ or developer latitude for the level of modelling adopted for
the Alabeo aircraft range.
Interior. Consistent with the exterior, the
general appearance of the cockpit and the panel layout are also
modelled to a very high degree of detail. However, the avionics
layout and fit out of Alabeo's Cessna 195 'Businessliner' varies
from the original, classic 195 'Businessliner' layout and
displays a more modern appearance with the inclusion of some
modern instrumentation. Nonetheless, when compared to real world
photographs of similar layouts, the cockpit and panel layout are
modelled to a high degree of accuracy.
Paint Schemes. There are six individual
paint schemes provided with the Alabeo Cessna 195 'Businessliner'
and each aircraft has a unique aircraft registration number. The
surface textures, reflections, and shadings give the aircraft a
crisp and realistic appearance and the polished aluminium, where
used, has a natural look and shine.
 Paint Scheme 1 |
 Paint Scheme 2 |
 Paint Scheme 3 |
 Paint Scheme 4 |
 Paint Scheme 5 |
 Paint Scheme 6 |
The exterior modelling accuracy of the Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is excellent. The level of this detail includes wheel fairings (these can be toggled on and off), individual fuselage panels and panel rivets, an access panel, aerials and antenna, fuel tank caps, and exhaust and oil stains on the fuselage, which add to the overall realistic appearance. One noted missing exception was the retractable step for access to the cabin when the cabin door is opened.
 External General View |
 External Top View |
 Nose View |
 Side View & Access Panel |
Alabeo’s rendering of the cockpit of the Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is also excellent and very realistic when compared to real world layouts.
 Virtual Cockpit View |
 Detailed Panel View, Left Side |
Instrument Panel Layout. All primary flight instruments in the 195 'Businessliner', are on the left side (pilot side) with the engine management instrumentation on the right side of the panel. The COM and NAV radios, transponder, DME, and throttle controls are all located centrally. The location of the light switches is split between the lower panel in front of the pilot and centrally with the throttle controls. The trim controls are located on the central yoke pillar and the fuel tank selector is located centrally on the floor, forward of the yoke pillar and behind the parking break lever. The primary flight instruments are laid out in the standard “T” and "six pack" arrangement and all the flight instruments are clear and easy to read and have the option for instrument glass reflections to be enabled or disabled. The yokes do not obstruct the view of any major instruments or controls, however, the removal of them can be toggled to provide an unobstructed view of the panel. Various alternative cockpit camera views are available to provide more detailed views of the instruments, however, there are no checklists or aircraft reference data provided on the 'Kneeboard'.
 Detailed Panel View, Right Side |
 Cockpit, Rear Seat View |
 Rear Seat |
 Certificate of Airworthiness |
Animations
The animations of the primary and secondary control surfaces and other moving elements on Alabeo's Cessna 195 'Businessliner' are all modelled faithfully.
Animations include:
● Primary control surfaces – ailerons, elevators and rudder;
● Secondary control surfaces – flaps;
● Others – elevator and aileron trim tabs, retracting landing lights, rolling wheels, cabin door open / close; and
● Pilot head movement.
 Landing Configuration 1 |
 Landing Configuration 2 |
Alabeo have done a credible job on the lighting and lighting effects on the 195 'Businessliner' and they provide a good, realistic representation of the real world aircraft. There is the usual navigation lights, rotating beacon, strobe lights, landing light, and panel lighting. Other than the landing lights illuminating the ground effectively, the strobe lights also provide this illuminating effect. The detailed night light effects for the instrument panel, generally, are very good and replicate the night lighting seen in photographs of real world aircraft. All interior lighting affects can be seen when viewing the aircraft from an external view.
 External View, Night |
 Panel View, Night |
There is something strangely beautiful about the deep rumbling sound of a radial engine and Alabeo have represented the sound of the Jacobs R-755-A2 engine on the Cessna 195 'Businessliner' quite nicely. From initial start-up, through idle to full power, this 300 horsepower radial reverberates through your body and it is worth turning up the volume on your computer's sound system. However, after initial start-up and settling into idle, there was a noticeable inconsistency in the sound of the engine. As usual, there is also the normal array of sounds associated with switches.
General Characteristics and Performance Specifications
The general characteristics and performance specifications for the Cessna 195 'Businessliner' are provided in the table. This is based on data from the Cessna web site, data in the aircraft details provided by Alabeo, and general research sources. Some of this data varies between sources and also may be an approximation due to variances in data and the specific aircraft modelled by Alabeo.
 |
Flight testing was conducted in clear weather with a full fuel load and the aircraft at maximum take-off weight (MTOW). Like most aircraft of this type, adjustments must be made to fuel / pax loading to remain within the MTOW limitations.
A cruise altitude of 7,500 feet was adopted on the Test Flight. During cruise, a manifold pressure setting of 20.8 inHg and an rpm setting of 2100 rpm were established. The mixture setting was leaned out to produce a fuel flow rate of approximately 14.7 gph. This cruise setting produced an average speed of approximately 144 knots true air speed (KTAS) and an endurance consistent with the range characteristics of the aircraft. The Test Flight confirms the modelling of the aircraft for range performance to be quite accurate.
The aircraft was easy to taxi. With 0° flaps, aircraft rotation occurred at approximately 65 knots indicated air speed (KIAS) and the aircraft easily maintained a normal climb speed of approximately 100 KIAS at a rate of climb of 1,200 ft/min. Even at MTOW, the Cessna 195 'Businessliner' climbed effortlessly within the specified rate of climb and speed performance parameters for the aircraft. When climbing to the service ceiling altitude, with the obviously required adjustments to the rate of climb, the aircraft was able to climb to this altitude. Configured for landing, with full flaps and trimmed for a descent rate of approximately 500 ft/min, the aircraft’s approach speed was approximately 85 KIAS and it touched down at approximately 75 KIAS, with a landing roll out comparable with the specifications for the aircraft.
In testing the accuracy of the instruments, based on the measured Test Flight, the speed indications on the airspeed indicator and the DME, were consistent with the averages measured. Additionally, when establishing a set rate of climb on the vertical speed indicator, the respective gain in altitude on the altimeter was achieved within the measured minute, and a standard rate turn was achieved within the measured two minute period using the turn coordinator. However, no discernible gyro drift was evident.
 In Flight 1 |
 In Flight 2 |
 In Flight 3 |
 Landing |
This version of the Alabeo Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is for FSX / P3D only. Other specified technical requirements are as follows:
● Windows Vista or Windows 7 (32 or 64bit);
● Microsoft Flight Simulator FSX with SP1 and SP2 (or Acceleration Pack) or Lockheed Martin Prepar3d Flight Simulator installed; and
● Pentium V, 2GHz or similar, 2GB RAM, 512MB graphics card, and 390MB available HDD space.
Simulator Performance
The aircraft model performed very well within the existing settings I have in FSX. I have most of my settings set very high and there was no need to make any adjustments. FSX continued to perform smoothly and as it would with any default aircraft.
Review Computer Specifications
The specifications of the computer on which the review was conducted are as follows:
● Intel i7 990X Extreme 3.46GHz;
● NVidia GTX580, 1536MB graphics;
● 12GB Kingston DDR3 2000MHz;
● Windows 7, (64bit);
● Microsoft Flight Simulator FSX Acceleration; and
● Additional major add-ons include: Active Sky Next; REX Essential Plus Overdrive; Ultimate Traffic 2; Orbx FTX Global BASE;
Orbx FTX Global VECTOR; Orbx FTX region series; and Orbx FTX airport series.
Conclusion
The Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is a fantastic classic general aviation aircraft and is great to fly. Alabeo have done a wonderful job of recreating the 195 'Businessliner' and the aircraft displays a good balance of quality and detail at an excellent price. Detected issues were minor and do not impact or significantly detract from the general flying of the aircraft. If you are a fan of classic general aviation aircraft and / or Cessna aircraft in particular, you will enjoy having this aircraft in your collection.
A Classic
The Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is another solid product from Alabeo which displays a high quality and attention to detail and represents exceptional overall value for money.
Pros:
● Quality and attention to detail;
● Realistic modelling and performance;
● Good documentation; and
● Excellent value for money.
Cons:
● Minor sound inconsistencies.
| Verdict: |
 |
|
| • External Model: | 9.5/10 | |
| • Internal Model: | 9.0/10 | |
| • Sounds: | 9.0/10 | |
| • Flight Characteristics (does it fly by the numbers): | 9.5/10 | |
| • Flight Dynamics (does it feel like what it looks like): | 10/10 | |
| • Documentation: | 9.0/10 | |
| • Value for money: | 10/10 |
|
The Alabeo Cessna 195 'Businessliner' is awarded an overall Mutley’s Hangar score of 9.4/10, with an "Outstanding" and a Mutley's Hangar Gold Award. |
|
Links Alabeo Home page  C195 Businessliner Product page |
| Top |