Cessna 152 vs Piper Cherokee 140
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
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iCessna 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
Piper Cherokee 140
The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is one of the most successful light aircraft ever produced and the backbone of Piper's single-engine line for over six decades. The PA-28-140, PA-28-150, and PA-28-160 represent the entry-level, low-horsepower end of the Cherokee family -- affordable four-seat trainers and personal aircraft that have introduced hundreds of thousands of pilots to low-wing flying. Over 32,000 PA-28 series aircraft have been built in total, with 10,089 of those being PA-28-140s alone, making the Cherokee second only to the Cessna 172 in total production volume.
- +Excellent parts availability and mechanic support across North America
- +Docile, forgiving flight characteristics ideal for training
- +Four-seat cabin with larger cabin space than Cessna 150
- !Critical wing spar AD compliance required; unmodified spars limited to 12,500 hours
- !Slow cruise speed (105-115 KTAS real-world) limits cross-country utility
- !Higher fuel burn than comparable trainers increases operating costs
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