Cessna 150 vs 152: Differences Between the Aircraft Models

Behind every amazing commercial pilot is their humble beginnings as a student pilot seeking their private pilot's license.

For many this journey began in some of the most affordable planes, which were typically a Cessna 150, a Cessna 152(or even a Cessna 172). And while they might all have a similar appearance, they are not the same aircraft.

In this article, we're going to explore the differences between the Cessna 150 and 152, a beloved and popular aircraft that still continues to be used in both flight training and personal aircraft ownership.

Let's learn more about these remarkable aircraft!

(By John Davies - commons.wikimedia, GFDL 1.2,)

History of the Cessna 150

The Cessna 150 is a high wing aircraft that Cessna introduced to the world 1959 after the success of their early models(of the Cessna 140).

From 1958 to 1977, the Cessna 150 underwent sixteen variations, including one produced exclusively by the now-defunct Reims Aviation. Remarkably, these changes had minimal impact on its outstanding performance.

In 1959, Cessna introduced the Cessna 150, an all-metal tricycle-gear airplane offered in four versions:

Standard, Trainer, Commuter, and Patroller. Each served distinct purposes, with the Commuter, for instance, featuring wheel fairings for added elegance.

Cessna proudly labeled it the "world's premier trainer," drawing inspiration from previous tailwheel models like the 120 and 140.

The Cessna 150's design innovations, such as side-by-side seating and tricycle landing gear, simplified both instruction and ground operations.

• Variants:
  The Cessna 150 had 16 variants: the 150, 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D, 150E, 150F, 150G, 150H, 150I, 150J, 150L, 150K, FRA150L Aerobat, 150M, and the FRA150M.

(By FlugKerl2 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,)

History of the Cessna 152

By 1978, when the Cessna 152 succeeded, over 22,000 Model 150 planes had taken flight. It remained the second-best-selling Cessna aircraft after the iconic high wing aircraft the Cessna 172, thanks to its superb handling and its role as a nurturing guide for aspiring pilots.

During this time Cessna also upgraded the model, increasing its potential with a powerful 110 HP Lycoming O-235 engine. This provided more power and performance capabilities for the aircraft.

The Cessna 152 was an upgraded version of the highly successful Cessna 150, benefiting from enhanced design features to enable increased payloads and improved efficiency when using the new 100LL fuel.

The 152 was designed to compete with popular aircraft models such as the Beechcraft Skipper and Piper Tomahawk.

Back in 1985, the Cessna factory in Wichita, Kansas lovingly crafted a soaring 8,000 of its iconic 152s before ceasing production of this light aircraft.

This reliable plane is still adored by many passionate pilots to this day for its impressive stability and maneuverability, becoming a go-to trainer plane all around the world.

• Variants: The Cessna 152 had only four variant models: the 152, F152, A152, and FA152. All are powered by Lycoming O-235 engines. Note: The C152 II, C152 T, and C152 Aviat were not special model variants, they were equipment packages and the Aviat was an overhaul rebuild of the Cessna 152.

(By Peter Somogyi-Tóth, www.legifotok.hu - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, and By Ahunt at English Wikipedia)

Differences Between the Cessna 150 and Cessna 152

The remarkable Cessna 150 and Cessna 152 are both treasured aircrafts, favored by pilots for their agility in the sky. Introducing the aviation community to a new level of two-seat flying, each offers a unique experience.

While they might seem like they could be the same airplane, seeing as both share a dependable design and a maximum speed of 130 knots, there are also some notable differences between them.

Engines

• 150
  Continental O-200-A air-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, 100 hp (75 kW)

• 152  
  Lycoming O-235-L2C flat-4 engine, 110 hp (82 kW)

Speed

• 150
  Maximum Speed: 125 mph (202 km/h)
  Stall Speed: 48 mph (78 km/h)

• 152
  Maximum Speed: 126 mph (203 km/h)
  Stall Speed: 49 mph (79 km/h)

Weight

• 150
  Empty weight: 1,060 lb (480.808 kg)
  Gross weight: 1,600 lb (725.748 kg)

• 152
  Empty weight: 1,081 lb (490 kg)
  Gross weight: 1,670 lb (757 kg)

Size

• 150
  Length: 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m)
  Wingspan: 33 ft 2 in (10.11 m)
  Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
  Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m2)

• 152
  Length: 24 ft 1 in (7.34 m)
  Wingspan: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
  Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
  Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m2)

Fuel Efficiency

• 150
  Fuel Capacity: The 150's fuel tanks hold 22.5 US gal (18.7 imp gal; 85 L) usable fuel.
  Fuel burn per hour: About 5.6 gallons

• 152
  Fuel Capacity: The 152 has redesigned fuel tanks and can use different types of gasoline fuels, from plain auto fuel to aviation-specific ones.

  It has two wing tanks, the long range fuel tanks holds 37.5 gallons; meanwhile the smaller one only stores 24.5 gallons.

  Fuel burn per hour: 6.1 gallons

Oil Capacity

• 150
  Depending on the variant the oil capacity is different. The original Cessna 150 holds 6 quarts, while the 1968-1977 models carry 7 quarts of oil.

• 152
  The 152 carries 7 quarts of oil.

Capacity

• 150
  One passenger and two children with a combined weight of 120 lb (54 kg) may occupy the optional bench seat in the baggage compartment.

• 152
  One passenger, plus two children, not exceeding a total weight of 120 lb (54 kg), may be seated on the optional bench seat in the baggage compartment.

(By Alec BHX/KKC - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, )

Additional Differences

• 150
  Service Ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
  Rate of Climb: 670 ft/min (3.4 m/s)
  Range: 420 nmi (480 mi, 780 km) (econ cruise, standard fuel)
  Propellers: 2-bladed McCauley metal fixed-pitch propeller, 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) diameter

• 152
  Service Ceiling: 14,700 ft (4,500 m)
  Rate of Climb: 715 ft/min (3.63 m/s)
  Ferry Range: 795 mi (1,279 km, 691 nmi) with long-range tanks
  Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch, 69-inch (180 cm) McCauley or 72-inch Sensenich propeller

(By Anneli Salo - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,)

Other Features of the Cessna 150 and Cessna 152

The similarities between the two are as follows:

• Both aircraft have a fixed pitch metal propeller.
• The 152 and 150 have 4-cylinder engines
• These aircrafts possess a light wing loading, causing them to move around vigorously during turbulent air currents.

Light Aircraft Not Sports Aircraft

Both the Cessna 150 and the Cessna 152 are considered light aircraft, but they do not qualify as a light-sport aircraft. This is due to these planes being heavier than the maximum weight allowed for an individual carrying a sports pilot license.

If you're goal is to get a license that will allow you to fly these aircraft types, you'll need to either get a recreational license or a private pilot license.

(By Ahunt at English Wikipedia)

Which Model is Better?

While it can be hard to pinpoint how to answer this question, we can list some key features that can help you determine the right airplane for yourself.

• Training and Transition

  The Cessna 150 is often remarked as an excellent trainer airplane. Its forgiving flight characteristics and relatively lower power output make it an ideal choice for student pilots.

  If your primary goal is to become a skilled pilot and you're looking for a straightforward training plane, the Cessna 150 should be your top pick.

  • The Cessna 152, on the other hand, can be seen as a stepping stone to more powerful aircraft like the Cessna 172.

    If you plan to eventually fly larger, more complex planes, starting with the Cessna 152 can ease the transition.

    Its slightly higher power output and similar cockpit layout to the Cessna 172 can help you become familiar with the controls and procedures that you'll encounter in more advanced aircraft.

• Flight Planning

  When considering either aircraft for cross-country flights, the presence of long-range tanks in the Cessna 152 is a significant advantage.

  These larger tanks allow for extended range and duration, but it's crucial to factor in the additional weight and fuel burn when creating your flight plan.

  This flexibility can be especially valuable when you need to reach destinations that are farther from your departure point.

• Fuel Efficiency

  While both aircraft are relatively economical in terms of fuel consumption, the Cessna 150 is slightly more fuel-efficient, burning around 5.6 gallons per hour (gph), compared to the Cessna 152, which burns approximately 6.1 gph.

  If you're conscious of operating costs and want to minimize your fuel expenses during training or recreational flights, this might influence your choice.

• Engines

  The Cessna 150 is equipped with a Continental O-200-A engine, producing 100 horsepower (hp). In contrast, the Cessna 152 boasts a Lycoming O-235-L2C engine, delivering 110 hp.

  While the power difference is not significant, it can affect climb and cruise performance, as well as takeoff and landing distances.

• Maximum Weight

  The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of the Cessna 150 is typically lower compared to the Cessna 152.

  Knowing the MTOW is crucial for flight planning and ensuring you stay within safe operational limits for your chosen aircraft.

(By Arpingstone - Own work, Public Domain)

Cessna 150 vs 152: Which is the Most Affordable Plane?

Both the Cessna 150 and the 152 are small and reliable aircraft. Pilots interested in purchasing one of these for themselves should be prepared to recognize that these are old machines that typically do not have the latest avionics unless the previous owner did the upgrades.

Older 150's will have no rear window and a turtle-deck-styled fuselage and manually operated flaps.

The main concern with these airplanes is making sure that you fully understand what it's going to take to repair, update, and maintain these Cessna's to ensure they stay safe while flying.

• Cost of Purchasing a Cessna 150:

  According to search results from Controller.com, buying a well-maintained previously owned Cessna 150 runs around a price range of $37,000-$85,000 depending.

• Cost of Purchasing a Cessna 152:

  Buying a well-maintained previously owned Cessna 152 will cost your around a price range of $50,000-$93,000.

(By redlegsfan21 from Vandalia, OH, United States - N1280Y, CC BY-SA 2.0,)

Takeaway

The Cessna 150 and Cessna 152 are essential for aviation, and an aircraft adored by many pilots who are just beginning their flying journey.

With a similar design and purpose, there are some key distinctions that may help you decide the best single engine airplane for your specific needs.

Engine performance, pace, size, weight, fuel efficiency, oil storage, and passenger capacity all factor into the equation.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and aspirations, meaning both aircraft models represent a good airplane and have an important place in defining the fullness of the air travel experience.

Check your local flight schools and see if they carry a Cessna 150 or 152, and ask for a discovery flight in one. Your first steps towards a life in the skies begin with your very first flight, make yours one to remember for a lifetime.

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Did you like learning about the Cessna 150 and 152?

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