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A Cessna 172 sitting on the tarmac while another 172 flies the traffic pattern. Photography courtesy of Nicole Lund.
The Cessna 172 and 152 are two popular training aircraft. They are both high-wing piston aircraft manufactured by Cessna that are frequently used for flight training. However, they do have several differences. Exploring the differences is important when in the market to purchase or choose a rental aircraft for flight training.
Seats
The Cessna 172 can seat four while the Cessna 152 has only two seats. The 172 has more comfortable seats and more legroom for the pilot and copilot, as well as two additional seats in the back of the plane. The 172 is better for taller students and students that weigh more than 200 pounds. Due to the decreased useful load, it is hard to fit two 200-pound pilots in a 152. However, the 172 can do this with ease.
Fuel tank size
The Cessna 152 holds less fuel than the 172. The standard size of a 152-fuel tank is 26 gallons. The Cessna 172 holds more fuel, the standard tanks are between 42-56 gallons depending on the model of 172. Both aircraft offer a long-range option as well. For longer cross countries, the 172 is a great option since fewer fuel stops are required.
Horsepower
The Cessna 152 is powered by a 110-horsepower Lycoming engine. This is not to be mistaken for the 100-horsepower Continental engine that powers the similar Cessna 150. The 172 is powered by a Continental in earlier models and a Lycoming engine in newer models. The horsepower ranges between 145 and 180 depending on the model of 172.
Performance
The increased horsepower of the Cessna 172 allows it to climb better and cruise at faster speeds. The larger fuel tanks permit the 172 to outfly the 152 by flying further. The 172 is superior in the mountains and on warm days with a high-density altitude. Obstacles on the departure end of a runway can be difficult to clear on hot summer days in the Cessna 152. The less horsepower in the 152 makes the aircraft struggle with climb performance in the mountains or on hot days when the air is thin resulting in poor performance.
Price
The Cessna 152 comes in at a lower price than the 172. A Cessna 172 ranges from $70,000 for a used 172 to $400,000 for a brand-new one. The Cessna 152 ceased production in 1985. Since all 152s are used, 152s are considerably more affordable. The price has fluctuated in recent years however, a 152 goes for roughly $50,000-150,000.
Fuel efficiency
The Cessna 152 burns less fuel per hour which makes it a great option for cross-country flights. The Cessna 152 cruises at a slower airspeed than the 172, however, many pilots in flight training can get a deal by building flight time at slower speeds and cheaper operating costs. The 152 is roughly 20 knots slower than a 172 when cruising.
Useful load
Useful load is the weight of the pilot, passengers, fuel, drainable oil, and cargo. To find the useful, the basic empty weight of the aircraft is subtracted from the gross allowable weight. The greater the useful load, the further the airplane can fly and the more cargo and passengers the aircraft can carry. The Cessna 152 has a much smaller useful load due to the smaller airframe, wings, and engine. The useful load varies slightly amongst models of aircraft, however, the 152 has a useful load of roughly 589 pounds and the 172 has a useful load of around 878 pounds. This allows the 172 to carry more.
There are pros and cons between the 172 and 152. You cannot go wrong with either option when choosing a training aircraft. The 172 is a more versatile option, however, the 152 will get the job done economically. At the end of the day, both are great training aircraft.