CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG Model Guide
CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG · Model Guide
Overview
The CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG is a single-engine piston Army liaison and observation aircraft, built with Cessna 170 wings and a Cessna 195 tail. Library data lists a Continental O-470, a McCauley 2-blade propeller, 100 kt cruise and 36 gal of fuel. It is now flown as a warbird and as a glider tug.
- Library figures: 100 kt cruise, 130 kt maximum, about 10 gph fuel burn, 36 gal fuel and 500 nm range.
- Weights: 2500 lbs max takeoff, 1500 lbs empty, 1100 lbs useful load and 200 lbs baggage allowance.
- Short-field performer: 800 ft takeoff roll and 600 ft landing roll, or 1200 ft and 800 ft over a 50 ft obstacle.
- Sources disagree on engine power (library 260 hp, other sources 213 hp). Confirm the actual engine from the aircraft records.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 49 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Engine (hp) ·
- 260
- Height (ft) ·
- 8
- Length (ft) ·
- 28
- Wingspan (ft) ·
- 38
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,500
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 36
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 15,000
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,500
Performance
- Range (nm) ·
- 500
- Fuel burn (gph) ·
- 10
- Max speed (kt) ·
- 130
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 100
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 1,000
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 15,000
- Landing distance (ft) ·
- 600
- Takeoff distance (ft) ·
- 800
V-speeds
- VA_KTS ·
- 90
- VX_KTS ·
- 70
- VY_KTS ·
- 70
- VFE_KTS ·
- 100
- VNE_KTS ·
- 150
- VNO_KTS ·
- 110
- VS1_KTS ·
- 60
- VREF_KTS ·
- 65
Weight & balance
- Cg range (in) ·
- 36 to 46
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 1,100
- Max ramp weight (lb) ·
- 2,600
- Baggage allowance (lb) ·
- 200
- Basic empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,500
- Max landing weight (lb) ·
- 2,500
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,500
How fast and how far does it go?
The CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG is listed at 100 kt cruise and 130 kt maximum. It burns about 10 gph from 36 gal of fuel, for a listed range of 500 nm.
How short a runway does it need?
The CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG is listed at 800 ft takeoff and 600 ft landing. Over a 50 ft obstacle the figures are 1200 ft and 800 ft. The original Army request specified 600 foot runways.
How much power does it have?
The library lists the CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG with a 260 hp Continental O-470. Other sources describe 213 hp for the military O-470-11. Ector conversions were 213 and 240 hp. Verify the installed engine.
What is the CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG Model Guide?
The CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG Model Guide is a model guide for the CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG, dated 2026.
What year was the CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG Model Guide published?
The CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG Model Guide — the CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOGmanuals & documents
- Cessna L-19/ O-1 Bird Dog - Courtesy AircraftPilot's Operating Handbook
- Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division Product CatalogParts Catalog
- Cessna L19 Bird Dog Aircraft Operating InstructionsPilot's Operating Handbook
- NOTICES - Pennsylvania CodeService Bulletins
- THE L-19 BIRD DOG - International Birddog AssociationPilot's Operating Handbook
- ASSEMBLY MANUAL - Minicars.sePilot's Operating Handbook
- 1957 Aircraft Year Book - Aerospace Industries AssociationType Certificate
- CESSNA L-19 BIRD DOGSpecifications
- Weight & Balance for the CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOGWeight & Balance
Related documents
- CESSNA L-19 Bird Dog 305C Model GuideCESSNA L-19 Bird Dog 305C · Model Guide
- Cessna L-19 Bird Dog Model GuideCessna L-19 Bird Dog · Model Guide
- CESSNA L-19 BIRD DOGCESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG · Specifications
- Cessna L-19/ O-1 Bird Dog - Courtesy AircraftCESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG · Pilot's Operating Handbook
- THE L-19 BIRD DOG - International Birddog AssociationCESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG · Pilot's Operating Handbook
In this document
Background
Cessna's Model 305 first flew on 14 December 1949 and won the US Army contract in 1950. It was designed to use runways as short as 600 feet. Flaps extend to 60 degrees. Over 3,400 were built, and 120+ are still airworthy.
Variants and uses
The L-19A was the main model, with 2486 built. In 1962 it was redesignated O-1A. The L-19E was the final production variant and had a higher gross weight. Canadian Air Cadet tugs include L19 A and C models that differ in configuration. Ector converted some to the 213-hp Mountaineer and 240-hp Super Mountaineer.
What to check before buying
Confirm the variant and engine against records. The library lists a 38 ft wingspan and 260 hp, while the O-1E data shows 36 ft 0 in and a 213-hp O-470-11. Ask whether the airframe was restored or only rebuilt. One owner's example had no interior panels and two missing instruments. Ask about any glider-towing history.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- Library speeds: stall 60 kt clean and 50 kt landing, best glide 65 kt, max crosswind 15 kt. Check these against the aircraft's own placards and manual.
- Limits: max ramp weight 2600 lbs, max landing weight 2500 lbs, CG range 36 to 46 inches. Verify against current weight and balance paperwork.
- One owner's Bird Dog was wrecked towing sailplanes in 1987. Inspect the history and structure of any former glider tug carefully.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG Model Guide The CESSNA L19 305A BIRD DOG is a single-engine piston Army liaison and observation aircraft, built with Cessna 170 wings and a Cessna 195 tail. Library data lists a Continental O-470, a McCauley 2-blade propeller, 100 kt cruise and 36 gal of fuel. It is now flown as a warbird and as a glider tug. • Library figures: 100 kt cruise, 130 kt maximum, about 10 gph fuel burn, 36 gal fuel and 500 nm range. • Weights: 2500 lbs max takeoff, 1500 lbs empty, 1100 lbs useful load and 200 lbs baggage allowance. • Short-field performer: 800 ft takeoff roll and 600 ft landing roll, or 1200 ft and 800 ft over a 50 ft obstacle. • Sources disagree on engine power (library 260 hp, other sources 213 hp). Confirm the actual engine from the aircraft records. Background Cessna's Model 305 first flew on 14 December 1949 and won the US Army contract in 1950. It was designed to use runways as short as 600 feet. Flaps extend to 60 degrees. Over 3,400 were built, and 120+ are still airworthy. Variants and uses The L-19A was the main model, with 2486 built. In 1962 it was redesignated O-1A. The L-19E was the final production variant and had a higher gross weight. Canadian Air Cadet tugs include L19 A and C models that differ in configuration. Ector converted some to the 213-hp Mountaineer and 240-hp Super Mountaineer. What to check before buying Confirm the variant and engine against records. The library lists a 38 ft wingspan and 260 hp, while the O-1E data shows 36 ft 0 in and a 213-hp O-470-11. Ask whether the airframe was restored or only rebuilt. One owner's example had no interior panels and two missing instruments. Ask about any glider-towing history. Safety notes: • Library speeds: stall 60 kt clean and 50 kt landing, best glide 65 kt, max crosswind 15 kt. Check these against the aircraft's own placards and manual. • Limits: max ramp weight 2600 lbs, max landing weight 2500 lbs, CG range 36 to 46 inches. Verify against current weight and balance paperwork. • One owner's Bird Dog was wrecked towing sailplanes in 1987. Inspect the history and structure of any former glider tug carefully.