Am I crazy for thinking one would have to be very trusting to buy an airplane sight unseen based upon the seller's word? I understand that some planes that have been through a pre-buy inspection end up with a "surprise" squawk or two, but not having a set of experienced eyes look at itfirst seems a tad risky.
And if done right, it'll burn less gas than a stock 150...
Right, David??? (remember that?) ..
Is that so David? I have been watching a 150/150 for a while, but have shy'd away because of the 22 usable gallons minus reserve, at 8 gph. I mostly just want to fly low and slow, up high in the hills. So when a 150/150 is 150 pounds over mtow, do the wings take off without the rest of the plane? Does it just not leave the ground? Or is it just a matter more attention is needed to address the heavier plane? With the added hp I expect it would get off the ground. I'm thinking about two people in winter gear will definitely be over max gross, but the cold winter air will carry more weight. I think. ? A 150/150 is more fun than a 172, right?
Yes, it is so. In 2011 I flew from Houston to Clinton on Ed's wing and took one to two gallons less fuel at every fuel stop. I think most every line man was surprised as well. They took one look at my plane an knew I had a bigger than stock motor in it. It's not just Ed's plane either. Every time I fly with another 150 or 152, I usually use less fuel if I stay with them.
Flying over max gross is a controversial topic in this forum. I don't do it if I can avoid it. The wings will not suddenly fall off if you go over gross but you are in uncharted territory.
Yes, a 150/150 is more fun than a 172. From what I remember of 172s, they are more "truck like" in their handling compared to 150/152s. The 150/150 retains the handling of a 150 in most flight regimes. Power on stalls are perhaps the area where things get most interesting. At full power, the plane will be very nose high and will take all the rudder to keep the ball centered and when it finally breaks, it's pretty sudden. (They are actually kind of fun once you get used to them.)
For future reference, keep in mind that there is a 150/150 conversion which legally raises the gross weight by 160 pounds and if you stumble across one of those......life goes up from better to good.
My M model has this and the gross weight on Mighty Mouse is 1,760 pounds.
Another option to think about is the 152 which has a gross of 1,670 pounds.
The stock Lycoming is around 110 HP but if you find a 152 with the Sparrowhawk mod, you're up to the 125 HP mark.
This isn't as good as a 150/150 as that level of enthusiasm is tough to beat but it's superior to the stock 100 HP 150.
The 150 horse sure does sound like the best route for me. Especially if throttle back will make that much difference. Of coarse I'd have to let horses out to run now and then. Does running half throttle cause carbon build up problems?
Right! Decisions! I've made the full circle! I started, wanting a C150/150, but after much reading, etc, etc, 172, a few fabric covered, and right back to where I started. The 150/150 I've been watching has the 1760 gross, but empty weight is 1227. Useful load is only 384, with full tanks. I'm thinking that I will always be a bit over gross except when flying alone.
Useful load is only 384, with full tanks. I'm thinking that I will always be a bit over gross except when flying alone.
That's typical for a 150 or 152. You have about 460-480 lbs of useful load. If you mostly fly alone, carry full fuel. If you have two big persons, then you'll have to carry less-than-full fuel and take shorter trips or stop for fuel more often on a long trip.
I am not quite sure how this thread turned into 150/150 performance and weight issues, but....
A Fuel Scan 450 is probably one of the most useful additions you can make....150hp or not. Long rang tanks or standard, knowing exactly how much fuel you have available is incredibly useful.
As far as the useful load, it's difficult to have a meaningful discussion with people who haven't flown a 150/150. Theory and academic discussion does not, in any way, prepare one for the way it behaves.
Like GPB says, you gotta get to know your own plane. If you never want to fly over gross, then don't. However, if flying over gross bothers you, then don't get a 150/150.
Gary Shreve When writing the story of your life, never, ever let someone else hold the pen. [Linked Image]
Hey Gary, I started reading this because of the title about buying first plane, advice.... So I am looking for advise on buying my first plane. And I guess I've got the hots for a 150/150. They seem to be few and far between though.
Seems like the people who own or have flown them absolutely love em. And then there is no shortage of experts that have not ever been in one, but can say they are no good for anything.
It was suggested that I can get by with a stock 150, but ...
My next door hangar neighbor has a 150/150 Aerobat. It is about the most gorgeous airplane I have ever seen, a real creampuff with a fantastic quality paint job, and very well equipped. This is the only photo I have of it, which is a heavy crop and doesn't do it justice. The reason I mention it here is he has told me he is thinking about selling it to buy a Cirrus. If he firms up those plans, I will let the group here know.
![[Linked Image from visitedstatesmap.com]](https://www.visitedstatesmap.com/image/AZCOILIAKSMONEOKSDTXUTWIWYsm.jpg)
![[Linked Image from visitedstatesmap.com]](https://www.visitedstatesmap.com/image/ALAZARFLILINIAKSKYLAMNMSMONENJNMOHOKPATNTXWIsm.jpg)
