Cessna 150 vs Cessna 152
The Cessna 150 (1959-1977, 100 hp Continental O-200) and Cessna 152 (1978-1985, 110 hp Lycoming O-235) are the two definitive two-seat primary trainers — same airframe, different engines and the 152's upgraded systems.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 136
- Median asking
- $53,250
- Range
- $32,955–$91,808
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 34
- Source marketplaces
- 13
- Model years available
- 1959–1978
- For sale now
- 59
- Median asking
- $70,000
- Range
- $45,545–$117,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 19
- Source marketplaces
- 11
- Model years available
- 1977–1983
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 150 — 1 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
Cessna 152 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Cessna 150 | Cessna 152 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 3241 | 2435 |
| Serious | 351 | 130 |
| Fatal | 427 | 255 |
| Fatalities | 611 | 386 |
| % Fatal | 13% | 10% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 150 | Cessna 152 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $32,955 – $91,808 | $45,545 – $117,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 100 HP | 110 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 97 kts (180 km/h) | 100 kts (185 km/h) |
| Range | 420 nm (778 km) | 415 nm (769 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 14,700 ft (4,481 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,600 lbs (726 kg) | 1,670 lbs (758 kg) |
| Useful Load | 530 lbs (240 kg) | 528 lbs (240 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 26.0 gal (98 L) | 26.0 gal (98 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) | 6.1 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | 2,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $25,000 | $22,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $100 | $100 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 150
Cessna 152
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 150 or Cessna 152?
Bottom line: Choose the 152 for the slightly more powerful Lycoming engine, refined panel and the larger active fleet still on training duty. Choose the 150 for materially lower acquisition cost and the older Continental O-200 — same fundamental aircraft, lower entry price.
Pick the 150 if…
- Budget matters — from $32,955 vs $45,545, you save ~$12,590.
- Longer range — 420 nm vs 415 nm.
- More inventory — 140 listings vs 59.
Pick the 152 if…
- Faster cruise — 100 kts vs 97 kts.
- Newer design — production from 1977 vs 1959.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.