Cessna 305A/L-19A/O-1A Bird Dog

Flying_Tom 🇨🇦

06 Apr 2026 · © Tom Johnston

Spotted landing on rwy 06 dragging a tow rope

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Cessna Cessna 172 Skyhawk (on floats/seaplane)

Aircraft

305A/L-19A/O-1A Bird Dog O1

Royal Canadian Air Cadets/CAF National Standard yellow & blue scheme

C-FTZZ

Registration

Airline

Royal Canadian Air Cadets

Manufacturer

Cessna

Gear

iPhone 13

Achievements

Retro Wings, Vintage Voyager, Runway Royalty, Livery Legend

4 badges earned

Location

Smiths Falls-Montague (Russ Beach) Airport

YSH/CYSH · Runway 06

44.9439, -75.9431

Open map

Smiths Falls-Montague (Russ Beach) Airport YSH

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog served extensively as a liaison and observation aircraft, especially during the Korean and Vietnam wars, and is notable in Canada as a training/towplane for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

Fleet Rarity

A relatively rare sight today; only a handful remain airworthy in Canada, especially in military trainers/heritage or glider towing role.

Record Flights

No notable record flights; widely used for glider towing and training.

Safety & Events

Generally known for rugged service and STOL performance in military and civil utility roles; few major public incidents tied to this type in Canadian Air Cadet use.

Future Outlook

Most airframes now retired from military use; some preserved or used in civilian/heritage flying, including Air Cadet activities.

Specifications

Lycoming O-540 flat-six piston engine

Engine

10.97 m

Wingspan

7.87 m

Length

852 km

Range

197 km/h

Speed

2 passengers (pilot and observer/student)

Capacity

1102 kg

MTOW

2.24 m

Height

Not applicable (piston engine; 250 hp)

Thrust

Not formally rated by ICAO; typical for small piston aircraft

Noise