C150 or C152?

[proav]

I have had a flight school for 7 years. I operate 150's and 172's. I am looking for another trainer and am trying to decide between a C150 or C152. I am interested in all opinions on the two. The 152's are about $4,000 to $8,000 more for a comparible C150. What are some experiences you guys have had maintenance wise with the two. I know the TBO is 2400 hours on the 152 verses 1800 hours on the 150. Also more power on the 152. I have had pretty good luck with the 150's and I'm not sure that the 152's are worth the extra cash. Do the Lycomings typically make it to the 2400 hour TBO? How about cylindar life? Anything you can add should be helpful.

Thanks

 

[rumpletumbler]

Get an Alarus. http://www.newplane.com

 

[TurboS7]

Didn't know that you could get a 150 or 152 that cheap unless they were in a box.

 

[bigD]

MX wise I think you'll find the day to day stuff to be almost exactly the same. As you mentioned, the big item is the bigger TBO on the O-235. In every case I can think of, the engine has made it to TBO and well beyond. It's pretty solid - the only negative I can think of is that it loves to foul plugs if not leaned agressively on the ground.

If you already have 150's, the other thing to remember is that the 152 has a 24 volt system, so that's a bit different, and might be something to consider if every other plane in your fleet is 12V.

I personally like the 150 better - nothing like bombing out of the sky with 40 degrees of flaps!

 

[Vector4fun]

If density altitude or carb ice is a real problem where your school is, then I'd opt for the 152. They handle both a bit better. But if not, then a nice 150 should do nicely, and the price difference should make up for the shorter TBO. But as Big D said, 152s foul plugs (lead) a lot. Years ago, someone told me that the O-235 doesn't run hot enough to really scavage the lead well. I dunno.

 

[LearLove]

Try these guys if you already haven't:

http://www.cessna150-152.com/

Everything you could ever need on the 150/152. 20 bucks to access all info. I'm a closet 150/152 fan and plan on buying one in about a year or so (waiting to see what happens to my company first). I prefer a 150 (68/69, 73/74 are my pref for model years) with just one radio/mode C and the basic instruments. This keeps it light so your useful load is still "useful".

The 152 (all model years) have atleast 2 inches more cabin width than the 150. This is big if your going to use it for instruction. The 152 GW is 1670 compared to the 1600 in the 150. Now most 152 empty weights are alittle more than the 150 but if you keep the 152 simple (basic instruments, one radio/vor and Mode C) and don't junk it up with gps/lorans or extra radios (not needed in a 150/152) than the 152 will have alittle extra UL. The EW on a 150 should not be more than 1100 pounds. If this is the case than its either got heavy radios or too much junk in it. 1000 to 1050 is a good 150 EW. For a 152 look for an EW around 50 to 70 puonds more.

Another thing in the 152 is that your airspeed indicator will be in knots. Not a biggie but if your students move on to other equipment like an archer/arrow for inst/commercial stuff it will also be in knots.

All in all if your going to use it for instruction I'd recommend a 152 because of the extra room and UL (not much on both accounts but every bit helps). That coupled with the 2400 TBO.

If you just want one for yourself I'd say 150.

As for me I'm on the hunt for a 73/74 or 68/69 150 with a mid time engine, simple panel and low empty weight (low EW also equals better perf., yes I know it's a 150, try not to laugh) for about 16000-20000.

Good Luck, let me know how the search goes.

 

[LearLove]

bigD, I agree, love the 40 degrees of flaps.

 

[LearLove]

TurboS7,

A typical 7/8 in, 7/8 out or better 150 will run 16000-20000. A typical 152 of the samem quality will run you 24000-28000.

 

[Lead Sled]

I have had a flight school for 7 years. I operate 150's and 172's. I am looking for another trainer and am trying to decide between a C150 or C152. I am interested in all opinions on the two. The 152's are about $4,000 to $8,000 more for a comparible C150. What are some experiences you guys have had maintenance wise with the two. I know the TBO is 2400 hours on the 152 verses 1800 hours on the 150. Also more power on the 152. I have had pretty good luck with the 150's and I'm not sure that the 152's are worth the extra cash. Do the Lycomings typically make it to the 2400 hour TBO? How about cylindar life? Anything you can add should be helpful.

A buddy of mine has C152s with the Sparrow Hawk conversion. They love them. I've got another buddy that has Tramahawks and swears by them. I understand that they make TBO without too much effort if they're kept busy.

'Sled

 

[NuGuy]

TurboS7,

A typical 7/8 in, 7/8 out or better 150 will run 16000-20000. A typical 152 of the same quality will run you 24000-28000.

Heya Lear,

I share your fascination with the 150/152 series. I'm in the same boat as you...

Anyway, when I looked at them, I found that in comparing the two you would find that 150s had fewer hours and were generally less expensive.

I figured the reason for this is that as 152 production wound down, schools and FBOs quit replacing aircraft and just ran the ones they had to death. Production tapered off rapidly after 81, and the last 152s rolled off the line in 84, but some were sold as 85's with the "horse blanket" paint scheme.

OTOH, 150s typically were sold off to make way for newer aircraft, and quite a few made it out into non-training activities.

For the same price, you can get a 150 with 3-5 thousand hours less than a 152, and it may only be a few years older. Any 152 with fewer than 6000 hours will have a VERY high premium on it. Most of these are cherry A152s that have been toys for the rich and shameless. These AC can start at $35+.

You can still find decent, lower time 150s for not a lot of green. The difference in TBO can be made up with around $1/hr.

Nu

 

[Flyin Tony]

Find one with 150hp

 

[proav]

Thanks for the input. I tend to lean towards the 150's myself. In this case I am starting a flying club and I think a cosmetically nicer 150 can be bought for the price of a rough 152. We will see what the membership prefers.



Thanks