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I have been looking at 152/172's for a while now and am having a hell of a time figuring out wich one is better for what I want. The 4 people that will be in the plane, Me 165 pounds wife 140 pounds son 30 pounds daughter 25 pounds. Most people say just go with the 172 it will be a lot better. I am all about most amout of flying with fixed Budget ($10,000 a year) Crunching numbers the 152 will spend about 37% more time in the air than the 172 on the same money. Any opinions would be great thanks.

Welcome to the club!

4 people in a 150/152? I wouldn't bet my family's life on it. IMO, a 172 and above would be the only candidates. If you're flying by yourself 99% of the the time, get a 150/152, and rent the 172/182 for family trips..

Son And daughter's weights will be going up and I bet Quickly.
your's and your wife's, well maybe

As was alreddy said, if you plan on most time in the air as
solo then the 152. Rent for family trips.

Just my thought on the subject.

As other have already said, buy what you'll fly most of the time and then rent for those other occasions. I'm solo 95% (or greater), so the overall cost of the 150 fits me. Besides, IMHO, they are a lot more fun to fly and I fly for the pure enjoyment! Nothing beats 3000MSL over Quitman after a hard day at work.

Look at an early 172 if you want to test the waters. There is nothing terribly wrong with the O-300 the way you would have it loaded for the next couple of years. By then, you will be looking to trade up and your investment would not be that much greater. Or....(sorry to say it), get a Cherokee for the price of a 152 and have an O-320 and 4 seats.

INCOMING>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Before I bought, I often heard the advice "buy the plane for your main mission and rent a 4-seater for trips". Please keep in mind some other factors:

1. Many places that rent planes have flight schools, and the aircraft schedules will often be full on weekends when the weather is good.

2. Many places that rent planes have limits on the total number of consecutive hours or days a plane can be rented out.

3. Virtualy all places that rent planes have a minimum per day charge regardless of the hours flown. So a weekend trip (FRI-SUN) in that $90/hr. 4-seater to a destination 1 hour away is probably going to cost $450, not $180.

Ken,
I live about 50 nm east in Jackson, Al. --We will have to have a mini-fly-in. A good idea to rent when a larger plane is needed. Fuel cost keeps me enjoying my 150. I lean aggressively and use lower power settings 22-23 hundred rpm most of the time.
Bruce

Tim,

I understand your predicament! The reasoning and advice in the posts above is valid. Your choice should depend on why you do most of your flying (trips or pleasure). Let me add that while I know from experience that the 152 will handle the weight of your family, I also know from experience that it is not an SUV! You are not going to be able to load 2 adults and 2 children in a 152 and carry any real baggage at all beyond 4 toothbrushes, a razor and maybe a hair dryer!

I own and fly a 150 for pleasure, but will rent a 172 for those 2 or 3 times a year my wife and I feel the need to make a trip (just the 2 of us). We can then carry the needed luggage with more comfort, speed, and range, and we pay for it with the savings from the 150. Unless you expect to log more time on trips than anything else, the 152 is more fun to fly and will save you loads of money in purchase price and operational costs. Owning the 152 and renting the 172 gives you the best of both airplanes at the least expense!

The aux seat is in a compartment limited to 80 lbs (the section aft of the seat is allowed 40 lbs more for a total of 120. Add the weight of the seat, your children and you are nearing the max allowed weight of the compartment. Add your weights and the fuel together and you are nearing the useful load of the airplane. That doesn't allow for the extra quart or two of oil, nor for your charts, the handheld GPS or anything else. Add a hot day to it and you are set up for disaster.

The numbers don't always equate to the reality of the situation.

Charles

Tim,
Ditto on nearly all counts posted. Buy for the 80% plus mission. Understanding the difficulties in renting when needed, work this out through an agreement (informal) with a local FBO, school, or friend.

Please do not consider loading to max.