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.
- +Exceptional parts availability and universal mechanic familiarity
- +Docile handling and forgiving stall characteristics ideal for training
- +Rock-bottom operating costs with excellent annual maintenance support
- !Slow cruise speed (106 KTAS) limits cross-country utility
- !Two seats only with minimal baggage capacity (120 lbs)
- !Poor climb performance and payload capacity for backcountry/high-altitude operations
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, especially with mogas STC
- +Universal mechanic familiarity and excellent parts availability
- +Purpose-built trainer with docile handling and excellent visibility
- !100LL lead causes accelerated valve/guide wear and frequent spark plug fouling
- !Marginal 110 HP performance at high-density-altitude airports
- !Two-seat limitation severely restricts mission flexibility
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