Cessna 150 vs Cessna 152
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
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iCessna 150
The Cessna 150 is the quintessential general aviation trainer and one of the most produced aircraft in history. Between 1959 and 1977, Cessna built 22,138 airframes in Wichita, Kansas, while Reims Aviation in France produced an additional 1,764 as the F150 series (plus 47 assembled in Argentina), bringing the grand total to approximately 23,949 aircraft. It is the fifth most-produced civilian aircraft of all time.
- +Universal mechanic familiarity and parts availability
- +Docile handling and forgiving stall characteristics ideal for training
- +Exceptionally low operating costs (~$1,250–$5,800 annual maintenance)
- !Anemic climb performance above 5,000 ft density altitude
- !Very slow cruise (107 KTAS); cross-country flights are time-consuming
- !Severely limited useful load; two adults + fuel leaves minimal baggage capacity
Cessna 152
The Cessna 152 is the definitive two-seat primary trainer of the late 20th century. Produced from 1978 to 1985 as the successor to the legendary cessna-150, it was Cessna's answer to the changing avgas landscape: the switch from 80/87 octane fuel to 100LL required a new engine, which drove most of the design changes. Total worldwide production reached 7,584 airframes, including all variants. The first model year (1978) was the peak, with 2,812 units delivered. By 1985, when Cessna halted single-engine piston production over product liability concerns, the 152 had cemented itself alongside its predecessor as the aircraft in which more pilots learned to fly than any other.
- +Lowest operating costs in certified aviation; mogas STC cuts fuel 50%
- +Universal mechanic familiarity; parts availability excellent across 7,500+ airframe fleet
- +Docile, forgiving handling; ideal primary trainer with high-wing visibility
- !100LL avgas causes accelerated lead fouling and exhaust valve wear on O-235
- !110 HP marginal at high-density-altitude airports and with full load
- !Two seats only; minimal baggage capacity (~130 lbs); slow cruise (107 KTAS)
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