Cessna 152

{{Short description|Two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Use American English|date=November 2021}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name= Cessna 152 |image= G-BRNE-Cessna152.jpg |caption= |type= Basic trainer,<br>GA private aircraft |national_origin= United States |manufacturer=Cessna |designer= |first_flight= |introduction=1977 |retired= |status= |primary_user=Mexican Navy |more_users=Bangladesh Army<br>Bolivian Air Force |produced=1977–1985 |number_built=7,584 |developed_from=Cessna 150 }}

The '''Cessna 152''' is an American two-seat, fixed-tricycle-gear, general aviation airplane, used primarily for flight training and personal use. It was based on the earlier Cessna 150 incorporating a number of minor design changes and a slightly more powerful engine with a longer time between overhaul.

The Cessna 152 has been out of production for forty years, but many are still airworthy and are in regular use for flight training.

==Development== thumb|right|One of the first Cessna 152s produced, a 1978 model year built in 1977 thumb|1978 Cessna 152

First delivered in 1977 as the 1978 model year, the 152 was a modernization of the proven Cessna 150 design. The 152 was intended to compete with the new Beechcraft Skipper and Piper Tomahawk, both of which were introduced the same year.<ref name="Clarke"/> Additional design goals were to improve useful load through a gross weight increase to {{convert|1670|lb|abbr=on}}, decrease internal and external noise levels and run better on the then newly introduced Avgas fuel.<ref name="Plane and Pilot">{{Citation | newspaper = Plane and Pilot | title = 1978 Aircraft Directory | page = 23 | publisher = Werner & Werner | place = Santa Monica, CA | year = 1977 | isbn = 0-918312-00-0}}.</ref>

As with the 150, the great majority of 152s were built at the Cessna factory in Wichita, Kansas. A number of aircraft were also built by Reims Aviation of France and given the designation F152/FA152.<ref name="Clarke">{{Citation | last = Clarke | first = William ‘Bill’ | title = Cessna 150 and 152 | edition = 1st | pages = 26–95 | publisher = TAB Books | year = 1987 | isbn = 0-8306-9022-0}}.</ref>

Production of the 152 was ended in 1985 when Cessna ended production of all of their light aircraft; by that time, a total of 7,584 examples of the 152, including '''A152''' and '''FA152 Aerobat''' aerobatic variants, had been built worldwide.

In 1996, the Cessna 152 was certified for operation using 100% ethanol fuel as an alternate to 100LL. This shows that the aircraft is adaptable to alternate and renewable energy sources.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=E |first1=Shauck, M |last2=G |first2=Zanin, M |date=1997-12-30 |title=Certification of the Cessna 152 on 100% ethanol |url=https://www.osti.gov/biblio/677075 |website=U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information |osti=677075 |language=English}}</ref>

In 2007 Cessna announced that it would build a light-sport successor, designated the Model 162 Skycatcher,<ref>{{cite web | type = press release | url = http://www.cessna.com/news/article.chtml?ID=OLfDUtl3WHhXrd7RDbcK3ISyhlXGjLXAfkdDyaluhsFbGkjoho | title = Cessna Announces Light Sport Aircraft Details | date = 2007-07-22 | publisher = Cessna Aircraft | access-date = 2007-09-28 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070825061734/http://cessna.com/news/article.chtml?ID=OLfDUtl3WHhXrd7RDbcK3ISyhlXGjLXAfkdDyaluhsFbGkjoho | archive-date = 2007-08-25 }}</ref> although production ended in 2013.

==Design==

===Powerplant=== All Cessna 152s were manufactured with a Lycoming O-235 engine which has been in production since 1942. The Lycoming provided not only an increase in engine power over the Cessna 150, but also was more compatible with the newer 100LL low-lead fuel.<ref name="Clarke"/>

Cessna 152s produced between 1977 and 1982 were equipped with Lycoming O-235-L2C engines producing {{convert|110|hp|abbr=on}} at 2,550 rpm. This engine still suffered some lead-fouling problems in service. In 1983, it was succeeded by the {{convert|108|hp|abbr=on}} O-235-N2C which featured a different piston design and a redesigned combustion chamber to reduce this problem. The N2C engine was used until 152 production ended in 1985.<ref name="Clarke"/>

===Airframe=== The airframe is mainly of metal construction, being primarily of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy with riveted skin. Components such as wingtips and fairings are made from glass-reinforced plastic. The fuselage is a semi-monocoque with vertical bulkheads and frames joined by longerons running the length of the fuselage. The wings are of a strut-braced design and have a 1 degree dihedral angle. The tapered (outboard) portion of each wing has one degree of washout (the chord of the tip section has one degree lower angle of attack than the chord at the end of the constant-width section). This allows greater aileron effectiveness during a stall.<ref name="Cessna152POH">Cessna Aircraft Company: ''1978 Cessna 152 Pilot's Operating Handbook'' Change 1, pp. 7-3 to 7-33. Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas, 1977.</ref>

The 1978 model has a one piece cowling nose bowl that requires removing the propeller to remove it. The 1979 model introduced a split-nose cowling nose bowl that can be removed without removing the propeller.<ref name="Phillips">Phillips, Edward H.: ''Wings of Cessna, Model 120 to the Citation III'', p. 12, Flying Books, 1986. {{ISBN|0-911139-05-2}}</ref>

===Flying controls=== thumb|Instrument panel

Dual controls are available as optional equipment on the Cessna 152<ref name="Cessna152POH"/> and almost all 152s have this option installed.

The Cessna 152 is equipped with differential ailerons that move through 20 degrees upwards and 15 degrees downwards. It has single-slotted fowler flaps which are electrically operated and deploy to a maximum of 30 degrees. The rudder can move 23 degrees to either side and is fitted with a ground-adjustable trim tab. The elevators move up through 25 degrees and down through 18 degrees. An adjustable trim tab is installed on the right elevator and is controlled by a small wheel in the center of the control console. The trim tab moves 10 degrees up and 20 degrees down relative to the elevator chordline.<ref name="Cessna152POH"/>

===Landing gear=== The Cessna 152 is equipped with fixed tricycle landing gear. The main gear has tubular steel legs surrounded by a full-length fairing with a step for access to the cabin. The main gear has a {{convert|7|ft|7|in|abbr=on}} wheelbase.<ref name="Clarke"/>

The nosewheel is connected to the engine mount and has an oleo strut to dampen and absorb normal operating loads. The nosewheel is steerable through 30 degrees either side of neutral and can castor under differential braking up to 30 degrees. It is connected to the rudder pedals through a spring linkage.<ref name="Cessna152POH"/>

The braking system consists of single disc brake assemblies fitted to the main gear and operated by a hydraulic system. Brakes are operated by pushing on the top portion of the rudder pedals. It is possible to use differential braking when taxiing and this allows very tight turns to be made.<ref name="Cessna152POH"/>

The 152 is also fitted with a parking brake system. It is applied by depressing both toe brakes and then pulling the "Park Brake" lever to the pilot's left. The toe brakes are then released but pressure is maintained in the system thereby leaving both brakes engaged.<ref name="Cessna152POH"/>

The standard tires used are 600 X 6 on the main gear and 500 X 5 on the nosewheel.<ref name="Clarke"/>

===Modifications===

There are hundreds of modifications available for the Cessna 152. The most frequently installed include:

====Tailwheel landing gear==== Taildragger conversions are available and have been fitted to some 152s. It involves strengthening the fuselage for the main gear being moved further forward, removing the nosewheel and strengthening the tail area for the tailwheel. This greatly improves short field performance and is claimed to give up to a {{convert|10|kn|km/h|abbr=on}} cruise speed increase.<ref name="ClarkeMods">Clarke, Bill: ''Cessna 150 and 152'' first edition, pp. 197–212. TAB Books, 1987. {{ISBN|0-8306-9022-0}}.</ref><ref name="PilotMagazine">Grimstead, Bob: ''Texas Taildragger 152'', pp. 14–22. Pilot Magazine UK, January 2007.</ref>

====STOL kits==== The wings can be modified using a number of STOL modification kits, some improving high speed/cruise performance but most concentrating on STOL performance. Horton's STOL kit is one of the better-known of the latter. It involves fitting a more cambered leading edge cuff to increase the maximum coefficient of lift, fitting fences at the aileron/flap intersection and fitting drooped wingtips. Stalls with these modifications are almost off the airspeed indicator, since instrument error is high at high angles of attack.<ref name="ClarkeMods"/><ref name="PilotMagazine"/> It has been said that landings can be achieved in two fuselage lengths with the kit installed in addition to a taildragger modification, by balancing power against drag.<ref name="PilotMagazine"/> Takeoff performance is also improved by varying degrees depending on the surface.

====Engine==== The engine's power can be increased by various modifications, such as the ''Sparrow Hawk'' power package, increasing it to {{convert|125|hp|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ClarkeMods"/><ref name="PilotMagazine"/> The disadvantage of the ''Sparrow Hawk'' conversion is that it uses pistons from the O-235-F series engine and therefore the engine recommended time between overhauls is reduced from 2,400 hours to 2,000 hours.<ref>Lycoming, [http://www.lycoming.com/support/publications/service-instructions/pdfs/SI1009AU.pdf "Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1009AU"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102174356/http://www.lycoming.com/support/publications/service-instructions/pdfs/SI1009AU.pdf |date=January 2, 2013 }}.''Lycoming'', November 18, 2009.</ref>

====Other modifications====

Other popular modifications include: * Flap gap seals to reduce drag and increase rate of climb.<ref name="ClarkeMods"/> * Different wingtips, some of which claim various cruise speed increases and stall speed reductions.<ref name="ClarkeMods"/> * Auto fuel STCs, which permit the use of automobile fuel instead of the more expensive aviation fuel. * Auxiliary fuel tanks for greater range.<ref name="ClarkeMods"/> * Door catches to replace the factory ones that often fail in service.<ref name="ClarkeMods"/> * Belly fuel drain valves to drain fuel from the lowest point in the fuel system.<ref name="ClarkeMods"/> '''More information'''

For more information on the Cessna 152, take a look at the [https://longislandaviators.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/1978-Pilots-Operating-Handbook-Cessna-152.pdf Pilots Operating Handbook (POH)]. This contains the performance data, emergency procedures, and systems descriptions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1978 |title=Pilot's Operating Handbook Cessna 152 |url=https://longislandaviators.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/1978-Pilots-Operating-Handbook-Cessna-152.pdf}}</ref>

Cessna 152 has only 4 model variants: 152, F152, A152, FA152 (all equipped with the Lycoming O-235):

;152:Two-seat light touring aircraft, fitted with a fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a {{convert|110|hp|abbr=on}} Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine, 6628 built.<ref name="simpson"/> Available with a number of avionic options, aside from the standard Model 152 there was a 152 II with an enhanced package of standard avionics and trim features.<ref name="Clarke"/> Type approved in 1977 and produced as 1978 to 1985 model years.<ref name="faa"/>

;A152 Aerobat:Two-seat aerobatic-capable aircraft, 315 built.<ref name="simpson"/> Certified for +6/-3 Gs and had standard four-point harnesses, skylights and jettisonable doors, along with a checkerboard paint scheme and removable seat cushions to allow parachutes to be worn by the crew.<ref name="Clarke"/><ref name="Plane and Pilot"/> Type approved in 1977 and produced as 1978 to 1985 model years.<ref name="faa"/> The following aerobatic maneuvers are approved: chandelles, steep turns, barrel rolls, snap rolls, loops, vertical reversements, lazy eights, spins, aileron rolls, Immelmann turns, Cuban eights and stalls (except whip stalls).<ref name="faa"/>

;F152: Reims-built Model 152, 552 built.<ref name="simpson"/>

;FA152 Aerobat: Reims-built Model A152, 89 built.<ref name="simpson"/>

;C152 II: Not a special model but with ''Nav Pac'' equipment package, which included better quality avionics for IFR flying and additional interior equipment, which makes it a little more basic weight.<ref name="Clarke"/>

thumb|Cockpit of a Cessna 152-T trainer ;C152 T: Not a special model but flight school equipment package, with "T" denoting "trainer" and not a sub-model.<ref name="Clarke"/>

;C152 Reimagined: Not a special model but a general overhaul and rebuilt of Cessna 152s by Aviat.<ref name="Aviat152">{{cite web|url= https://aviataircraft.com/152-reimagined/|title= 152 Reimagined|access-date= 28 May 2021|author= Aviat Aircraft|author-link= Aviat|work= aviataircraft.com|year= 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210506180147/https://aviataircraft.com/152-reimagined/|archive-date= 6 May 2021|url-status= live}}</ref>:

==Training== The Cessna 152 is a commonly used flight trainer for aviation schools around the world. This plane is good for its low operating cost, reliability, and forgiving flight characteristics making it a good option for student training.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-09-15 |title=Cessna 152 |url=https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/cessna-152 |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=www.aopa.org |language=en}}</ref>

Flight schools like Sunair aviation use Cessna 152 in their fleets because it's simple and cost effective. Rental planes typically range between $100 and $150 per hour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Fleet of Aircraft {{!}} Sunair Aviation Flight Training |url=https://sunairaviation.com/our-fleet |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Sunair Aviation {{!}} FBO & Flight School |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Operators==

===Civilian operators=== The 152 is popular with flight training organizations and is also widely operated by private individuals.

===Military operators=== thumb|right|A 1981 Reims-built FA152 Aerobat ;{{ARG}} *Argentine National Gendarmerie operated three from 2004.<ref>{{cite web |author=Chris Thornburg |url=http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/argentina/arg.html |title=World Air Forces Argentina Air Force |publisher=Worldairforces.com |access-date=2013-12-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704135108/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/argentina/arg.html |archive-date=2013-07-04 }}</ref> ;{{BAN}} *Bangladesh Army 5 A152 Aerobat<ref>{{cite web |title=Training Aircraft Inducted in Bangladesh Army |url=https://www.ispr.gov.bd/en/training-aircraft-inducted-in-bangladesh-army/ |date=12 December 2019 |website=Inter-Services Public Relations |language=bn |access-date=21 February 2021}}</ref> ;{{BOL}} *Bolivian Air Force – 12 in service as of 1987.<ref>Siegrist 1987, pp. 175, 194.</ref> ;{{BOT}} *Botswana Defence Force Air Wing two A152<ref>Andrade 1982, p. 28.</ref> ;{{GAB}} *Gabonese Air Force one F152<ref>Andrade 1982, p. 77.</ref> ;{{LES}} *Lesotho Defence Force one A152<ref>Andrade 1982, p. 147.</ref> ;{{MEX}} *Mexican Navy operated seven from 1979<ref>{{cite web |author=Chris Thornburg |url=http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/mexico/mex.html |title=World Air Forces Mexico Air Force |publisher=Worldairforces.com |access-date=2013-12-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125030050/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/mexico/mex.html |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Incidents and accidents== *On May 9, 1989, a man who had murdered his ex-wife earlier that evening stole a Cessna 152T at gunpoint from an employee at Beverly Municipal Airport. During the flight, which lasted over three hours, Alfred James Hunter III fired a semi-automatic AK-47 rifle<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/volumes/416/416mass831.html|title=COMMONWEALTH vs. ALFRED J. HUNTER, THIRD}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/427/427mass651.html|title = HUNTER, COMMONWEALTH vs., 427 Mass. 651}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/05/10/Suspect-steals-plane-fires-down-on-city-before-giving-up/9843610776000/|title=Suspect steals plane, fires down on city before giving up}}</ref> at the ground below, buzzed the South Postal Annex in Boston several times, and briefly touched down at Logan International Airport before taking off again. He was arrested when he finally landed with just five minutes' worth of fuel remaining.<ref>{{cite news|title=Man kills wife, steals plane|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UtdMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VYEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3690,2706201|access-date=12 August 2011|newspaper=Associated Press|date=May 10, 1989}}</ref> *On 24 May 2001, a Cessna 152 violated Israeli airspace and was shot down by an IAF AH-64 Apache. Estephan Nicolian, a Lebanese student pilot, was shot down after ignoring repeated warnings by Israeli ATC to turn back. This is one of the two only-known operational air-to-air kills using an AGM-114 Hellfire missile.<ref name="Ynet24May01">{{Cite news |url= http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/1,7340,L-761410,00.html |title= Lebanese Cessna plane was shot down over the trawl (Hebrew language) |last= Horesh |first= Amikam, Sharon Roffe, Jonathan Lis, Raanan Ben-Zur and Ali Waked.|date= July 2011 |work= Yedioth Internet |access-date = 31 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="CNN24May01">{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/05/24/israel.plane.02/|title=Israel shoots down Lebanese civilian plane |date=May 24, 2001|work=Cable News Network (CNN) |access-date= 27 July 2017}}</ref> *On June 24, 2022, a Cessna 152 sustained substantial damage after failing to recover from a spin during training. The aircraft entered the spin at 9,100 ft msl with the wreckage found at 4,590 ft msl. According to flight experience logs, the flight instructor had accumulated only 2 hours of flight experience on learning how to spin the accident airplane.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Loss of control Accident Cessna 152 N934JH, Friday 24 June 2022 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/279602 |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}</ref> *On 20 August 2024, Cessna 152 (VT-TAJ) aircraft used as a trainer aircraft by Alchemist Aviation lost contact with Jamshedpur Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower around 11:10 am, shortly after taking off from Sonari aerodrome at 10:32 am. An investigation of the incident was launched. On 21 August, search operations were initiated by local authorities, the forest department and an NDRF team. On 22 August, the bodies of instructor pilot Captain Jeet Satru (2,000 hours flying experience) and trainee pilot Shubhrodeep Dutta (80+ hours flying experience) were recovered from the reservoir of Chandil Dam. As of 25 August, the search for the missing airframe was ongoing. A search and rescue team of the Indian Navy has joined the search efforts from Visakhapatnam on 22 August upon request. Eyewitnesses said that the aircraft crashed into the water body itself. The aircraft had 80 litres of fuel and 4 hours and 30 minutes of endurance - the schedule was for 1 hour. However, it was not clear why the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) did not turn on. The aircraft had a total certified lifespan of 30,000 flight hours, of which only 16,000 hours had been utilized.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No trace of missing aircraft, search op by Navy continues - The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/no-trace-of-missing-aircraft-search-op-by-navy-continues/articleshow/112744905.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=m.economictimes.com | date=August 23, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title='Suddenly there was no sound, plane came close to water': Eyewitness helps find pilots' bodies after Cessna crash |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/suddenly-there-was-no-sound-plane-came-close-to-water-eyewitness-helps-find-pilots-bodies-after-cessna-crash-9528306/lite/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title=Jharkhand plane crash: Navy's search operation for missing aircraft continues |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/jharkhand-plane-crash-navys-search-operation-for-missing-aircraft-continues/3590952/lite/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref> On 26 August, the 20-member diving and hydrographic survey team of the Eastern Naval Command recovered the aircraft's debris after a 5-day long search operation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Jharkhand: Indian Navy recovers wreckage of missing trainee aircraft from Chandil dam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jharkhand-indian-navy-recovers-wreckage-of-missing-trainee-aircraft-from-chandil-dam/articleshow/112834327.cms |access-date=2024-08-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Specifications (Cessna 152)== thumb|right|View of the underside of a Cessna 152 {{Aircraft specs |ref=''Cessna 152 Pilot's Operating Handbook''<ref name="Cessna152POH"/> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|prop blade number=2 |prop name=fixed pitch, {{convert|69|in|cm|sigfig=3}} McCauley or {{cvt|72|in|cm|sigfig=3}} Sensenich propeller |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in=

|perfhide=

|avionics= }}

==See also== {{Portal|Aviation}} {{aircontent |related = * Cessna 140 * Cessna 150 * Cessna 172 |similar aircraft = * Alpha 2000 (Robin R2000) * Beechcraft Skipper * Diamond DA20 * Grumman American AA-1 * Liberty XL2 * Piper PA-38 Tomahawk * Symphony SA-160 |lists = * List of aircraft * List of civil aircraft * List of most produced aircraft |see also = }}

==References== {{Reflist|2|refs= <ref name="simpson">Simpson 1991, p. 97.</ref> <ref name="faa">{{cite web |title=Type Certificate Data Sheet 3A19 |url=http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/a01fa66c9a3bc9498625745100674f44/$FILE/3A19.pdf | date = 28 March 2008 | publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=30 Nov 2011}}</ref> }} * {{cite book | last= Andrade | first= John | title= US Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909| year = 1979 | publisher =Midland Counties Publications|isbn= 0-904597-22-9}} * {{cite book | last= Phillips| first= Edward H.| title= Wings of Cessna, Model 120 to the Citation III| year = 1986| publisher =Flying Books|isbn= 0-911139-05-2}} * {{cite magazine|last=Siegrist|first=Martin|title=Bolivian Air Power — 70 Years On|magazine=Air International|date=October 1987|volume=33|issue=4|pages=170–176, 194|issn=0306-5634}} * {{cite book | last= Simpson | first = RW | title = Airlife's General Aviation| year= 1991 | publisher = Airlife Publishing | location = England, UK |isbn= 1-85310-194-X}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=138 Cessna 150 & 152 page on Airliners.net] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130210171048/http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A20070077000 "Cessna 152 Aerobat"], Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120425001015/http://www.cessna.org/documents/public_info/samplemodel.pdf Cessna 150/152 Model History] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130927094646/http://www.cessnaowner.org/150.html Cessna 150: The Generic Trainer]

152 Category:High-wing aircraft Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft Category:1970s United States civil trainer aircraft Category:1970s United States civil utility aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1976 Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear Category:Single-engined piston aircraft

Cessna 152

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