Cessna 152 questions?

Question

I am considering buying a c-152 but first would like to get a feel for the costs of ownership to see if I should just keep dreaming or not. I am in Canada, so not sure if that is cheaper or not. So if any 152 owners out there could give me some info that would be great. Average cost of insurance? Average cost for annual? Hangar rental (I know this will vary by location but any figure would help me get an idea, because I don't even have the slightest idea). If anyone has figured out an average cost per hour, I know this will depend on fuel prices alot (right now we are about $1.90/liter so around $4/gallon. Any info would be really appreciated.

Answer 1

I am Canadian and have 3 planes and 4 helicopters....The cost of ownership in Canada is a lot higher then in the US.  Our annuals are a lot better. I have a Canadian AME licence and a US a&p licence. I can tell you there is no difference between the requirements between a private and commercial licenced plane on annuals except the time intervals....If you buy a US plane and bring it into Canada you can count on atleast a 10,000 dollar bill for the import cert. If you need more info you can email me at [e-mail] you know how to fix it to make it work ( my email)...don't want too much spam....If you live close to southern alberta i could really help you out.

Answer 2

Canadian? Join COPA first. Then, after you've paid your membership fee go to the website http://www.copanational.org and download the COPA Guide To Buying an Aircraft. It will answer all your questions and provide as much information as you need. You should also download the COPA Guide To Estimating Aircraft Operating Costs which is a spreadsheet and guidance documents that will help you figure out exact costs.

In round numbers, in 2008, expect a C-152 in private service with minimal liability only insurance and indoor hangarage, flown 50 hours a year (which is the current average) to cost about $140.00 per hour or about $7000.00 per year, not counting depreciation.

The cost of private aircraft ownership will always be higher than renting because of the low annual utilization. The cost of renting a C-152 is currently around $126.00 per hour, at least here in Ottawa.

Most analysts indicate that oil prices will increase dramatically over the next couple of years which will mean the cost of aircraft operation will go up; however this will also reduce the demand for small aircraft and the price will drop dramatically as it has done over the past couple of years.  This means that if you pay a certain amount for your C-152, in five years' time its value will drop dramatically so you may want to add in a large amount for depreciation.

So, the bad news is that operating costs are going up but the good news is that the initial capital outlay (purchase price) is currently quite low and getting lower each year.

Answer 3

First I would consider a 172 over a 152.

Cost will be similar and you have more options with a 172.

The 152 did not come out until 1978, most of them have been used in flight schools and will have high airframe times.

The 172 with the Lycoming 150 hp 320 engine was produced from 1968 to 1977 when it switched to the 160hp Engine.  More aircraft ended up in private hands and you can find more with lower time frames.

As for operating cost:

Fuel burn is relatively the same.  Insurance will be very close at around $800 a year.  Storage cost will be the same - estimate $100 a month (can be lower - I seen rural airports only charge $35 a month for ramp parking and urban airports charge as much as a $150 a month for ramp.  The same goes for hangars a airport with no waiting list and hangars available will more than likely be less a month than that of a major urban airport).  Annual cost will be relatively the same at about a $1000 - $1500 a year barring any major items (like a cylinder replacement).  If you do owner assisted annuals you may even lower this cost.

When you consider the advantages of the 172 over 152 it makes more sense to buy the 172.

Answer 4

I'm with JD on this question, but an option you may wish to consider is a piper cub (or cub equivalent.) It's fun to fly, easy on the gas, and it has another benefit in that there are a lot of people who LOVE the airplane. There are lots of spare parts, advice, and the airplanes hold their value.

If you bend a 152, it's junk. It isn't a loved airplane.

Answer 5

If you would be satisfied with a two seater, consider an American Light Sport Aircraft [LSA]. You can either build it yourself or buy it from the factory. Limit your inquiries to US built LSA. There's a lot of European stuff offered at very high price. You can imagine all the middle men garnering their cut.

Do your research thru EAA.org

Answer 6

I agree with the people who say to go for a 172 over a 152, you can get them for roughly the same cost, and the 172 is more efficient at any given speed.

What I would really go for though is a older Mooney M20, which you can get for under $50k, sometimes as low as $30k with 700-800hrs left on the tbo. The reason I recommend it is that its so much more efficient, even though its smaller than the 172, it has a better payload, and you can find ones with speed mods that can get you 200mph with the stock O-360.

I was talking to a guy who had a E model, and he said down around 125kts they only use about 7gph, compared to 11-13 for a brand new 172SP, I know because I fly one.

They use the same engine, so you can figure that maintenance would be roughly the same cost, plus a little extra to keep up on the constant speed prop and landing gear, but most have pump gear and not electric, so thats not a very significant cost.

Answer 7

first - ditto the 172 instead of 152 comment, unless it is just for learning and you have narrow shoulders! Or if you intend to do a lease back to a flying club, it might be a good investment. Also realize most 152 were used for just that - learning! Can cause lots of wear and tear.

costs - call your local airport's FBOs (Fixed Base Operator) and ask them. As they will be getting business from you if you buy, they should be more than willing to help you with that information. If not you know not to bother with them period.

And the cost of an annual should be easy to find out, as you should get one done on your aircraft immediately after purchase - and make sure to pay the few hundred dollars to have an independent, licensed mech (NOT connected to the seller) do a look over first.