The Cessna 152

The Cessna 152 is probably the most iconic dual-control, side-by-side, two-seat, single-engine training light-aircraft ever produced, celebrated for its simplicity and reliability worldwide. Introduced in 1977 as an improved successor to the similar looking Cessna 150, the 152 quickly became a favorite among flight schools and private pilots for its wonderful handling and economical operation. Powered by a very reliable 110 horsepower Lycoming O-235 piston engine, it cruises at 90 knots and carries up to 100 litres of Avgas 100LL fuel, consuming approximately 25 litres an hour.

At Star Flight Training we currently have two Cessna 152s, both have standard 100 litre fuel tanks:

G-PTTE is a 1978 Wichita, Kansas-built example with a brand-new overhauled zero-hour Lycoming O-235-L2C engine in June 2026, powering a Sensenich propeller; in the cockpit it has a Garmin GNC 255A Nav / Comm radio and a Trig TT31 Mode-S Transponder, so is equipped for VFR flights in VMC. Manufacturers serial number 152-82516.

G-MFLM is a 1977 French Reims-built F152 with only about 500 hours of time on the Lycoming O-235-L2C engine since major overhaul, powering a McCauley propeller; in the cockpit it has a: Narco CP 136 TSO, Narco NCS 812 TSO Nav/Com, Garmin GNC255A Nav/Com, Narco ADF 841 TSO, Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO, Trig TT31 Mode-S Transponder, so is equipped for VFR flights in VMC. Manufacturers serial number: 1451.

Take-off speed is 50 knots and best angle of climb speed is 55 kts, to avoid an obstacle. Then best rate of climb is 65 kts with full power and flaps retracted, which is the same as the best glide speed, naturally with power at idle, and final-approach speed, with power at about 1700rpm. Normal landing speed at touchdown is about 45 knots - close to and just higher than the stalling speed which, with full flap and power off is 38 knots.

The max gross weight of the Cessna 152 is 1670 pounds or 760kg, and with a maximum of 100 litres of fuel and fuel consumption of approximately 25 litres per hour, gives around a 3 hour flight time in practice when one hour of fuel is kept in reserve in case of a diversion.

The Cessna 152 is able to fly at night and as Shoreham Airport is normally open (on request) until 8pm local time in both Summer and Winter, the wonder of experiencing watching a sunset from the air and night-flying is a real possibility.

Over 7,500 Cessna 152s were produced between 1977 and 1985, with one production line in Wichita, Kansas, USA and a second in Reims, France and despite ceasing production decades ago, many remain in active use. The 152 is a great flying platform with fixed landing gear, a high-wing configuration, offering a particularly good view of the ground for in-flight navigation or sight seeing trips, and very stable aerodynamic behaviour, perfect for teaching the fundamentals of flying including stalling and spinning.

Construction of the 152 is primarily of metal; the outer skin, fuselage, wings and most structural parts are made of aluminium alloy and a few non-structural elements of GRP, glass-reinforced plastic, for example the wingtips. A few parts are made of steel - mainly in the engine and undercarriage areas.

The wings are known as a strut-braced design meaning they have a structural load-bearing strut between the wing and fuselage to help dissipate the forces on the wing in the area around the fuel tanks, which are hidden in each wing, close to the fuselage. The wing also has a “one degree dihedral” meaning it is angled very slightly upwards towards the wingtip, this helps with stability in flight.

The single-slotted Fowler flaps on the inboard trailing edge of the Cessna 152 wings are electronically operated by a switch on the instrument panel to the right of the throttle. There are 4 positions: 0 degrees = up, 10 degrees for a short or soft field take-off, 20 degrees for final-approach and full flap or 30 degrees for landing. The flap limiting speed is 85 knots.

Incredibly, the reliable and very trusted Lycoming O-235 four-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled piston-engine which powers the Cessna 152 has been in production since 1942. It is often referred to anecdotally as a “flat-four” or a larger version of a 1960s VW Beetle car-style engine.

It produces 110hp at take-off power with a fixed pitch propeller; the gravity-fed fuel is supplied to the cylinder heads from both wing-located fuel tanks simultaneously via a carburettor and the spark is produced from a dual magneto ignition system.

The engine type name O-235 refers to, O for “opposed” meaning a horizontally opposed cylinder layout and the 235, refers to the displacement volume of the pistons, which is actually 233 cubic inches, which equates to 3.82 litres. The 235 is rounded up to 235 probably to avoid a clash of names due to Lycoming already having had an engine named the O-233.

The Cessna 152 offers fantastic value for money for hours-building pilots as well as private hire cross-country flights especially for sight seeing due to it's high-wing offering better views of the ground.

Overall, we love the Cessna 152 it’s a great light-aircraft, one of the best.