The Cessna 150 and 172 are similar in many ways, especially when it comes to the general configuration of each plane with their high braced wing, twin forward-hinged doors, tricycle, same flight-control surface arrangement, tricycle landing gear with steerable nose wheel, and fuel tanks in the wings.
There are also a few key differences between the 150 and 172, including each plane’s performance, safety, main purpose, and price.
Never exceed speed: 163 kn (188 mph, 302 km/h) (IAS)[8]
Range: 696 nmi (801 mi, 1,289 km) with 45 minute reserve, 55% power, at 12,000 ft
Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,100 m)
Rate of climb: 721 ft/min (3.66 m/s)
Wing loading: 14.1 lb/sq ft (68.6 kg/m2)
Variants
172
172 A-S
172RG Cutlass
Reims FR172
R172K Hawk XP
Turbo Skyhawk JT-A
Electric-powered 172 (Non-Production)
Cessna 150 vs 172 Key Differences
Purpose
Both the Cessna 150 and 172 are used for flight training, but the 150 is the much more popular of the two for this purpose.
While the 172 is used for flight training, especially when it comes to larger individuals looking for a more comfortable experience and for cross-country time building, it is more popular with private plane owners. It makes the perfect plane for a small family with its four-seat capacity.
Performance
Unsurprisingly, the Cessna 172 has the better performance of the two, with its higher cruise speed (140 mph vs 94 mph) and better range (696 nautical miles vs. 420 nautical miles).
The 172 is the more stable and heavier aircraft and requires more force to do the same maneuvers. It also holds altitude better and is better suited to rougher, higher winds.
Safety
The Cessna 172 is an exceptionally safe plane due to its sturdy and solid construction, excellent restraint systems, predictable and stable flight, and slow landing speed due to its well-equipped flaps.
In fact, the Cessna 172 has the lowest fatality rate in all of general aviation at 0.56 per 100,000 flying hours.
The Cessna 150 is also safe and more or less fares the same as other similarly light aircraft. However, it definitely has a worse safety record than the 172, though this can partly be explained by its main use by beginner pilots.
For the Cessna 150, leading causes of fatalities include loss of control during takeoff and low-altitude maneuvering.
Cockpit
If there’s one word to describe the cockpit of the 150, it would be cramped. The Cessna 150 may be a very popular plane for flight instruction, but it is so cramped that larger students have no choice but learning to fly in the more spacious 172.
Even average-sized students will find that their shoulders will be rubbing with their instructor when in the cockpit. While using a pilot kneeboard can be more down to preference, using one is a must when flying in the 150.
Price
There’s no doubt that learning to fly in the Cessna 150 is cheaper than the 172, especially as even a small difference can soon add up considering that a minimum of 40 hours is required for a private pilot license.
When it comes to buying outright, you can expect to pay between $25,000 and $50,000 for a Cessna 150, and $100,000 – 200,000 for a 172 in similar condition.
Helen Krasner holds a PPL(A), with 15 years experience flying fixed-wing aircraft; a PPL(H), with 13 years experience flying helicopters; and a CPL(H), Helicopter Instructor Rating, with 12 years working as a helicopter instructor.
Helen is an accomplished aviation writer with 12 years of experience, having authored several books and published numerous articles while also serving as the Editor of the BWPA (British Women Pilots Association) newsletter, with her excellent work having been recognized with her nomination of the “Aviation Journalist of the Year” award.
Helen has won the “Dawn to Dusk” International Flying Competition, along with the best all-female competitors, three times with her copilot.
