Two-seat primary trainer and economical personal aircraft · Single-engine piston aircraft · production 1977–1985 · See its reach on the 3D globe
A Cessna 152 costs approximately $50k (€46k) to $59k (€55k) to buy at 1979 market values, and about $61k (€57k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $768 (€711) per flight hour all-in. It seats 2, cruises at 107 kt (123 mph) and has a published range of 415 nm (769 km), needing about 1,339 ft (408 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The 152 replaced the 150's Continental with a 110 hp Lycoming O-235 and became the aeroplane most Western pilots learned in. It is the cheapest honest route into certified ownership, and the parts supply and type knowledge are effectively bottomless. Two limitations bite. Two adults of average build plus full fuel puts many airframes at or over gross, so the fuel gauge is a payload decision rather than a range one. And the O-235 is prone to plug fouling on 100LL, a leaning-technique problem that still catches new owners. Buy it to fly often and cheaply, never to carry anything.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 757 kg |
|---|---|
| Useful load | 267 kg |
| Usable fuel | 93 L |
| Landing distance | 411 m |
| Service ceiling | 14,700 ft |
| Maximum climb rate | 715 ft/min |
| Stall speed | 35 KCAS |
| Baggage weight | 54 kg |
| Engine | Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine, 110 hp |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 2 |
| Reported payload proxy | 443 lb (201 kg) |
| Reported range | 415 nm (769 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | Not used for mission ranking |
| Cruise speed | 107 kt (123 mph) |
| Runway need | ~1,339 ft (408 m) |
| Landing gear | Fixed tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $10k (€9k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $97 (€90) |
Simple and economical, but payload is tight and individual airframe condition matters more than model-year averages.
Indicative cash costs at 1979 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $58k (€53k) | $1,439 (€1,333) | $342k (€317k) |
| 80 h / year | $61k (€57k) | $768 (€711) | $361k (€335k) |
| 120 h / year | $65k (€61k) | $545 (€504) | $381k (€353k) |
| 180 h / year | $71k (€66k) | $395 (€366) | $410k (€380k) |
Every figure above is built from a $10k (€9k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $97 (€90) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $23k (€22k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Cessna 152 cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
Nothing beyond a pilot certificate for the category and class. With fixed tricycle gear and no endorsement requirement of its own, this is among the simplest certified aircraft to qualify in, which is a real part of why it is cheap to insure and easy to check out in.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 1979 market price for a Cessna 152 is $50k (€46k) to $59k (€55k). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Cessna 152 works out at roughly $61k (€57k) annually, which is about $768 (€711) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $97 (€90).
Reported range is 415 nm (769 km). PlaneFit does not yet use this figure for mission ranking on this model.
Plan on approximately 1,339 ft (408 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.