Cessna 150

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Cessna 150s produced before 1964, such as this 1962 Cessna 150B, had square fins and no rear window

A 1965 Cessna 150E. The 1964 model 150D and the 150E had an Omni-Vision rear window, but retained the square fin of the earlier 150

1965 Cessna 150E

1967 Cessna F150G

1968 Cessna F150H

1970 Cessna FA150K

1973 Cessna C150L

Cessna 150 Panel

A significant number of Cessna 150s have been converted to taildragger configuration using STC kits, such as this Cessna 150F

The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane, originally designed for flight training, touring and personal use. The Cessna 150 was offered for sale in the 150 basic model, Commuter, Commuter II, Patroller and the aerobatic Aerobat model.

Development

American made 150s were produced with the Continental O-200 100 hp (75 kW) engine, but the 216 aircraft produced by Reims Aviation under license in France are powered by a Rolls Royce/Continental O-240A piston engine of 130 hp (97 kW). These French manufactured 150s were designated Reims F-150, the "F" indicating "France".

The Cessna 150 is one of the most widely used flight training aircraft in the world. Almost all flying schools have at least one available for instruction or private hire. Used Cessna 150s are an affordable private aircraft.

The Cessna 150 is widely considered to be relatively easy to fly with no particular handling challenges. All Cessna 150s have very effective flaps that extend 40 degrees and landing the aircraft with full flaps gracefully can be a challenge for students to master.

The 150 was succeeded in production in the summer of 1977 with the introduction of the 1978 model Cessna 152. The 152 is more economical to operate due to the increased TBO (time between overhaul) of the Lycoming O-235 engine. Aside from the powerplant change the 152 had its flap travel limited to 30 degrees from the 150's 40 degree deflection and gross weight increased from 1600 lbs to 1670, among other changes made to the basic design.

Production

• 22,138 C150s were built in the US (21,404 Commuter, 734 Aerobats).
• 1,764 C150s were built by Reims in France (1,428 Commuter, 336 Aerobats).
• 47 C150s were assembled by a Reims affiliate in Argentina (38 Commuter, 9 Aerobats).
• More Cessna 150's were produced in 1966 (3067) than any other year.
• Approximately 22,000 C150s remain flying today.

Cessna 150 design history

• 1958 Production of the Cessna 150 begins.

• 1960 The Cessna 150 Patroller is born, featuring plexiglass doors, 38-gallon tanks, and a message chute for dropping message canisters to people on the ground.

• 1962 Slightly improved speed and climb capability with new propeller airfoil.

• 1964 Rear window introduced, which the Cessna marketing department dubs Omni-Vision.

• 1965 Bucket seats replace bench seats.

• 1966 Vertical stabilizer gets swept back 35 degrees, improving looks and decreasing rudder authority slightly. Increased rudder authority was regained in 1975 with the M model when the rudder was enlarged 15%.

• 1969 Instrument panel arranged in T-configuration. Pull-type starter replaced with a key-operated magneto and starter. The new starter proved less robust and more expensive to repair than the pull starter, but easier to operate.

• 1970 Aerobat model capable of limited positive-G maneuvers introduced. It features skylights in the cabin ceiling, four point harnessess, removable seat cushions so that parachutes can be worn and quick-release doors.

• 1971. The spring-steel main gear was replaced with tubular landing gear and the gear track width was increased from 6 feet 6 inches to 7 feet 7 inches, making it still easier to land. The landing light was moved from the wing to the engine cowl where vibration lowered landing-light bulb life. It was moved back to the wing on the Cessna 152, in 1984.

• 1978. Cessna 152 model introduced. Lycoming O-235 110-hp engine introduced. The Continental 100-hp engine experienced trouble with lead buildup because of the introduction of Avgas fuel (which had more lead than the older fuel). However, the Lycoming had more trouble with lead fouling than the previous Continental, a problem that was not to improve until the 1983 model year with a slightly less powerful Lycoming.

Cessna 150 facts

• They burn about 6 US gallons per hour (23 L/h) of fuel.
• Like some other airplanes, the engines can run on automotive gasoline without modification. In the United States, an STC (supplemental type certificate) from the FAA is required to do this legally.
• An aerobatic trainer version of the 150 is the Aerobat. While its structure is stronger than the standard model in a number of ways, these are not apparent from the outside. The only obvious external sign, apart from the paint scheme which features checkerboards, is a quick-release mechanism for the door hinge pins.
• An average example of a Cessna 150 in 2006 costs between US$12,000 and US$20,000.
• When in a vertical Power stall, the Cessna 150 Aerobat is noted to almost always fall back and to the Left.

Type Clubs

Specifications (1977 Cessna 150M)

Military operators

• Zaire

Related content

Related development

• Cessna 140
• Cessna 152
• Cessna 172

Comparable aircraft

• Beechcraft Skipper
• Piper Tomahawk
• Grumman American AA-1

Designation series

External links

• [www.cessna.com - Cessna Aircraft Company]
• [Aircraft Info.net - Cessna 150/152]
• [Cessna 150-152 Club]
• [Cessna Pilots Association]
• [Aircraft Info and History - Cessna 150 & 152]

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