Cessna 150

The Cessna 150 is a two‑seat, single‑engine high‑wing aircraft that became one of the most recognizable trainers in general aviation. First introduced by the American manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company in 1958, the 150 was designed as a low‑cost, easy‑handling replacement for the earlier Cessna 140. Production continued for 23 years, ending in 1985 after more than 23,000 units were built, a figure that includes the later 150‑B, 150‑C, 150‑D, and 150‑E variants with incremental improvements such as larger fuel tanks, revised lighting, and more powerful 100‑horsepower Continental O‑200 engines.

Key features of the 150 include its simple steel‑tube fuselage covered with fabric, all‑metal wings, and a fixed tricycle landing gear that provides forgiving ground handling. The aircraft’s modest stall speed, flat‑four engine, and straightforward controls make it ideal for flight‑instruction, solo practice, and recreational flying. Its economical operating costs, low rental rates, and ubiquitous presence at flight schools worldwide cemented its role as a gateway to pilot certification.

The 150’s legacy endures because it introduced generations of aviators to the fundamentals of flight, influencing training curricula and spawning numerous aftermarket modifications that keep the type flying well into the 21st century.

Cessna

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