Cessna Aircraft By Textron Aviation

Clyde Cessna, the founder of Cessna Aviation, discovered his passion for aircraft at an aviation exhibition in 1911. With a background in mechanics and car sales, he assembled his own airplane using a kit. He eventually became a skilled pilot.

In 1916, J.J. Jones gave Cessna the chance to work in part of the J.J. Jones Car Co. warehouse to build aircraft. Jones had just one condition – that the wings of his first aircraft bear the name “Jones-Six”. Despite several setbacks during World War I, he introduced the Comet in 1917.

In 1925, he partnered with Walter Beech and Lloyd Stearman to establish the Travel Air Manufacturing Company. After serving as its President for a while, he desired a more hands-on role.

A few years later, he formed the Cessna-Roos Company. Following a decline in sales in 1931, he was forced to close his business. In 1933, his nephew Dwane Wallace encouraged him to reopen the business. This ultimately led to the development of the company’s first twin-engine aircraft in 1938.

The onset of World War II brought a surge in demand for twin-engine aircraft, catapulting Cessna Aircraft to newfound success under the leadership of the Wallace Brothers.

Creating Aerobatic Cessna Aircraft

Following World War II, Cessna’s 150 and 152 series were the most popular aircraft among pilots for recreational use. And it made sense as to why. Both the 150s and 152s had a reputation for being strong, general aviation trainers in the United States of America.

As its popularity grew, the Aerobat was popular for pilots seeking basic aerobatic training, spin training, and primary instruction. The Aerobat is also a solid way to practice Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) skills in Visual Flight Rules (VFR) weather to improve proficiency for larger, faster singles.

Cessna’s 152 aircraft, introduced in 1978, is designed for general utility purposes. It is also certified for limited aerobatic flight. The 152 is powered by a 110-horsepower Lycoming engine and is equipped with a 28-volt electrical system.

  • Country of Origin: America

Cessna 152 Aerobat

Below are the average statistics for the latest Cessna A152 Aerobat (1985).

  • Maximum Speed: 110 kts
  • Maximum Range: 545 nm
  • Maximum Occupants: 4
  • Range Of Years Manufactured: 1978-1985
  • Total Aircraft Build: 7,585
  • Currently Registered Aircraft: About 2,869
  • Useful Load: 589 lbs.
  • Average Sale Value: $50,972
  • Average Days On Market For Sale: Unknown
  • VREF Demand Rating: Join VREF Online

Operational Resources

Operations Manual

Maintenance Document

Local Resources

Manufacturer

Insurance

Cessna 152 Aerobat Details

The following is information for the latest Cessna 152 Aerobat in this series.

Interior

The interior of a 1985 Cessna 152 typically features 2 seats with a control panel in front of the pilot and co-pilot. The cockpit is equipped with basic flight instruments, including:

  • Airspeed indicator
  • Altimeter
  • Attitude indicator
  • Heading indicator
  • Vertical speed indicator

The interior may have either fabric or vinyl upholstery The cabin is fairly small with limited space for luggage or additional equipment. Additionally, the windows provide good visibility. And the overall interior design prioritizes functionality and efficiency for flight operations.

Exterior

The Cessna 152 is a 2-seater, fixed-tricycle-gear aircraft. Based on the earlier Cessna 150, the 152 includes several minor design changes including a slightly more powerful Lycoming O-235-N2C engine with a longer time between overhaul.

Avionics

  • Standard Instrumentation
  • Bendix King Audio Panel
  • Bendix King KX155 NAV/COM
  • Very High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range Station (VOR)
  • Garmin GTX 325 Mode C Transponder
  • Automatic Direction Finder (ADF)
  • Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT)

Specifications

Configuration: Single Engine, Piston, Fixed Gear

  • Max Seats: 2
  • Max Take-Off Weight: 1,670 lbs.
  • Cruise: 107 kts
  • Range: 545 nm
  • Take-Off Run: 725 ft.
  • Landing Roll: 475 ft.
  • Wing Span: 32 ft. 9 in.
  • Length: 24 ft. 1 in.
  • Height: 8 ft. 6 in.
  • Take-Off Run (50 ft.): 1,340 ft.

Cessna 152 Models

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

152

This 2-seat light touring aircraft is fitted with a fixed tricycle landing gear with a 110-horsepower Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. A total of 6,628 were built. Aside from the standard Model 152 there was a 152 II with an enhanced package of standard avionics and trim features. Produced from 1978 to 1985, the 152 received its certificate of approval in 1977.

A152 Aerobat

The A152 Aerobat is a 2-seater aerobatic-capable aircraft. Cessna built a total of 315 Aerobats. This aircraft is certified for +6/-3 Gs with standard 4-point harnesses, skylights, and jettisonable doors. Also, this 152 features a checkerboard paint scheme and removable seat cushions to allow parachutes to be worn by crew members.

F152

Reims-built model 152 with a total of 552 built.

FA152 Aerobat

Reims-built model A152 with a total of 89 built.

C152 II

This aircraft is equipped with a NavPac equipment package, which includes better-quality avionics for IFR flying and additional interior equipment. T makes it a little more basic weight.

NavPac assists sailors in figuring out where they are at sea using celestial navigation. It also calculates Great Circle and Rhumb Line tracks. It can also figure out when the sun and stars rise and set by telling you the height and direction of navigational objects.

C152 T

The Cessna 152-T trainer is not a special model for civilian use. Instead, its cockpit contains a flight school equipment package with “T” denoting that it is a “trainer” model.

C152 Aviat

The C152 Aviat is a general overhauled and rebuilt Cessna 152 by Aviat Aircraft.

Top Cessna 152 Aerobat Questions

Check out FAQs about the Cessna 152 Aerobat series of aircraft.

Why Is William Kershner Called The “Spin Doctor”?

In 1984, William K. Kershner – the son of aviation legend Bill Kershner – bought Cessna’s Aerobat aircraft under the registration of N7557L as a training aircraft for his flight school. He believed that exposing pilots to controlled aerobatics and spins better prepares them for emergencies. This would also help them to avoid incidents altogether.

With 61 years of piloting experience and over 11,000 total flight hours with 4,300 hours as an instructor, Kershner was well-known for his aerobatics and spin training. He conducted over 7,000 spins, some with up to 21 turns. Kershner often filmed the maneuvers for analysis and instruction.

Additionally, Kershner authored and regularly updated 5 manuals covering various aspects of flying. Those manuals have been widely used by thousands of pilots. He also contributed numerous training and safety articles to aviation magazines. Additionally, he was a popular lecturer known for combining his more technical lessons with dry humor and common sense.

Why Is Cessna 152 Known As “The Last Affordable Airplane”?

The term “affordable” is often used to describe aircraft, with some new models costing $200,000 or more, leading many to compare the cost to that of a house. However, the Cessna 152 offers a truly affordable option at around $20,000. This is in large part because flight schools eventually sell off their fleets of these reliable trainers.

Where Is The Original Cessna 150/152 Aerobat?

The original Aerobat’s 150 model only ever had 2 owners, Bill Kershner and William Kershner. In fact, Bill wrote the handbook for this aircraft before getting the A152 in 1984. This aircraft is on display in Commercial Aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

Furthermore, the white, red, and blue theme of the A152 was used by Kershner for his spin studies and by his students. It’s even featured on the cover of The Flight Instructor’s Manual’s fourth edition (National Air and Space Museum).

What Is Cessna’s Cardinal Rule?

Cessna began its “Cardinal Rule” program after realizing the Cardinal’s operating issues upon releasing its initial model in 1968. This program allowed existing models to retrofit their leading edge slots to stabilators. This move was then made for new production machines. Making this change fixed its stabilator-stalling problem even though its pitch forces remained lighter than average for a Cessna.

Does Cessna Still Make 152s?

The Cessna 152 has been out of production for more than thirty years, but many are still in flying condition and used for flight training.

Why Was The Cessna 152 Discontinued?

In the 1970s and early 1980s, there was a notable rise in demand for training aircraft due to an increase in pilot training programs and general aviation activity. However, Cessna ceased production of the 152 in 1985 because there was a decrease in demand for new training aircraft.

What Aerobatic Tricks Is A 152 Aerobat Capable Of?

The following aerobatic maneuvers are approved for Cessna’s A152 Aerobat:

  • Aileron Rolls
  • Barrel Rolls
  • Chandelles
  • Cuban Eights
  • Immelmann Turns
  • Lazy Eights
  • Loops
  • Snap Rolls
  • Spins
  • Stalls (No Whip Stalls)
  • Steep Turns
  • Vertical Reversements

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