Cessna 152 Model Guide: U.S. Standard Aircraft

The official U.S. Model 152 is the standard Utility-category member of the later Lycoming-powered family. Its model-year coverage runs from 1978 through 1985 in the identity evidence, but important technical changes occur within that single designation. Engine variant, ramp-weight group, control hardware and handbook family can therefore require a serial or year decision after the model has been identified.

The four-model guide distinguishes this aircraft from A152, F152 and FA152. In particular, a standard U.S. aircraft does not inherit Aerobat speeds or Reims document effectivity through a common 152 suffix. The serial-number reference supplies the complete family context and explains why model year is not a calendar manufacture date.

Identity and Certification

The model was approved on 16 March 1977 under 3A19. The source records Cessna manufacture in Wichita and a Utility category. Approval date identifies the model-level certification event, not the manufacture or delivery date of every aircraft. The source tables below preserve those different concepts.

Serial Ranges and the Engine Transition

The ordinary standard-model eligibility runs from 15279406 through 15286033. Within it, the original L2C engine relationship changes to N2C from 15285595, with approved rework also recognized. That is why a model-only engine result would leave a significant technical question unresolved.

The engine guide explains the 110/108 hp aircraft ratings and their distinction from engine-manufacturer ratings. The serial-range engine rows describe factory or approved design context; they do not prove which engine, accessories or replacement components remain on the aircraft today.

Propeller and Certified Limits

The exact source application is McCauley 1A103/TCM6958 for the stated engine pairing. Its diameter and static-RPM conditions must remain with the application. The propeller reference explains why a propeller-family AD follows the installed component rather than establishing compliance from the airframe model.

The standard-model speed group is separate from A152. Shared maximum weight does not make the Aerobat's higher listed airspeed limits available to Model 152. Use the controlling aircraft handbook and the correct category for an operating question.

Loading and Changes Within Production

The later ramp-weight group begins at 15282032. Its separate ramp allowance does not increase the 1,670 lb takeoff limit. The weight-and-balance guide explains how current empty weight, load locations, fuel and baggage enter a complete aircraft loading assessment.

Production records also identify controls, ignition, door-latch and ventilation changes. These narrow the assembly or documentation question without establishing the present state after repairs or alterations. Keep each change description with its exact serial rather than collapsing all changes into one model-year label.

Performance and Model-Year Summaries

The detailed published performance series explicitly names this standard model. That makes it useful for Model 152 historical comparison, while still requiring the row's power, altitude, fuel and reserve conditions. It does not predict performance for an altered aircraft or replace the actual handbook charts.

The performance guide organizes every metric beside its explanation. The model-year summary below is a separate form of evidence. A historical empty-weight entry is not the current aircraft's empty weight, and a maximum-speed headline is not a certified limitation.

Manuals and Aircraft-Specific Evidence

The publication relationships below explicitly name this model, including shared standard U.S./Reims families where the source establishes them. A publication family does not prove that an individual copy is current or complete. The manuals guide explains title-page serials, revisions and the distinction between POH/AFM and generic information manuals.

For maintenance and buying research, connect the systems description with the installed equipment, AD applicability and known-issue evidence. The 3A19 reference establishes identity context; actual records establish configuration, actions and history. None of those aircraft-specific conclusions can be reconstructed from the model name alone.

Compare the Four Model Identities

• Cessna A152 Aerobat
• Reims/Cessna F152
• Reims/Cessna FA152 Aerobat

For early production, the AD 79-02-06 exhaust reference retains original-equipment conditions. The fuel-indication guide distinguishes a separate capacity-marking serial group. The 152-versus-A152 comparison connects category, engine effectivity and exceptional serials with the correct aircraft records. Compare Reims F152 and U.S. 152 documentation before transferring manual, serial or modification assumptions between the two identities.