1981 Cessna 152
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
VFRU Avionix Tail beacon installed 10-7-2022 Narco CP136 Audio Panel Garmin GPS250XL NAV COM King KT76A Transponder. ACK A-30 Blind Encoder Done and Margolin 121.5 ELT. ELT battery replacement and VFR pitot stat is being performed this month and will be completed prior to the sale.
Description
PRICE REDUCED. For sale. 1981 Cessna 152 Sparrowhawk conversion 125HP. Complete original logbooks in hand and uploaded to this AD. This Aircraft was meticulously restored in from the early 90's through April of 2000. It has since flown 798.2 hrs. This aircraft is loaded with great options including Long Range Fuel tanks, 125HP Sparrowhawk conversion, Sensenich propeller, Wing tips with integrated landing lights with pulse functions. Very clean paint and interior, Cleveland wheels and brakes. Split nose bowl, and many More. FRESH TOP END. Photos taken of the bottom end during the bottom end to show there was no rust on the cam, rod, crank or any other areas of the bottom end. Upgraded to solid steel push rod tubes. This aircraft is turnkey and sure to turn heads any ware you take it. Owner is selling because of age. This aircraft is being listed by Ben's Motorworks In Fullerton Ca at KFUL and is available to show Monday through Friday 630 am -330pm. Arrangements can be made for after that. Flight tests only after deposit.
Engine
Engine was overhauled 01-01-1991, Put into service 04-01-2000. Sparrow Hawk Conversion 125 Horsepower 03-30-04 New Vacuum pump 12-2022, New alternator and regulator 01-2023, New Carburetor, Oil pan reseal with new intake metal tubes and rubber couplings, Steel push rods installed 03-2025. New Superior cylinders with high compression pistons installed 08-2025 Prop new Sensenich 72CKS-0-56 N K6605 04-2000. Re-pitched 06-2024 from 55" to 56"
Interior
Airplane re painted and all new interior and front windscreen 04-2000. Paint and interior is in great shape.
Exterior
and interior, Cleveland wheels and brakes
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison 1 active offer
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ben Kellogg
trade-a-plane.com
|
$120,000
|
Fullerton, CA | Mar 20, 2026 | — | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 152
This 1981 Cessna 152 (N4745P) is a 2-seat single engine piston with 2,960 hours on the airframe. There are currently 56 152 aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $38,000 to $125,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $120,000.
The 152 cruises at 100 kts (185 km/h) with a range of 415 nm (769 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 14,700 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 6.1 GPH (23 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $34/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $100/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $15,000. With 2,960 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,400 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. There are 3 airworthiness directives applicable to this aircraft type — review AD compliance carefully before purchase. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 152 — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 152
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 152. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N4745P.
Location & Ownership
Title Status
No FAA title records
Available for US-registered aircraft only
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.
Safety Record
NTSB safety data coming soon.
We'll check N4745P against the NTSB accident database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 152
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 3 recent ADs found for this aircraft type.
Cessna Aircraft Company Models 150, 152, 170, 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 190, 195, 206, 207, 210, T303, 336, and 337 Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 150, 152, 172, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 206, 207, 210, and 337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 152
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
A BAD MAGNETO DROP WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE GROUND RUN OF THE AIRCRAFT. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RH IGNITION HARNESS LOWER #3 LEAD WAS DEAD.
DURING A GROUND RUN A BAD MAGNETO DROP WAS EXPERIENCED ON THE RH MAGNETO. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RH IGNITION HARNESS #3 LOWER LEAD WAS DEAD.
PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RH MAGNETO WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING THE DISTRIBUTOR GEAR BRUSH TO ARC TO THE COIL TAB, RESULTING IN A FAILED MAGNETO.
AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTING IN AN UNSCHEDULED LANDING. AFTER THE RH MAGNETO WAS CHANGED IN THE FIELD THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO HOME BASE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE LH MAGNETO WAS REMOVED AND INSPECTED, IT WAS FOUND...
CAM GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED/SEATED DURING MANUFACTURE, WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR AND DAMAGE TO THE CAM GEAR DURING ROTATION AGAINST THE DISTRIBUTOR GEAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST 500HR INSPECTION SINCE THE MAGNETO WAS MANUFACTURED.
DURING 500HR INTERNAL INSPECTION OF MAGNETO, COIL TAB WAS FOUND TO HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT SYMETRICAL. IT APPEARS THE COIL TAB WAS MACHINE PUNCHED DURING MANUFACTURING AND THE METAL WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED IN THE PUNCH PRESS CAUSING T...
PILOT IN FLIGHT NOTICED ENGINE RPM TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY AND THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. PERFORMED INSPECTION OF ENGINE AND NOTED CYLINDER VALVES NOT ACTUATING. REMOVED ENGINE SUMP AND FOUND PORTION OF CAMSHAFT IDLER GEAR IN SUMP. REMOVED ACCESSORY ...
ALUMINUM SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER DURING 100HR INSPECTION. FOUND THIS TO BE A RESULT OF ALL PISTON PIN PLUGS BEING WORN ON ALL OF THE CYLINDERS AND THE CYLINDER WALLS HAVING A “RIDGE” AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RING TRAVEL.
ALUMINUM SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER DURING 100HR INSPECTION. FOUND THIS TO BE A RESULT OF ALL PISTON PIN PLUGS BEING WORN ON ALL OF THE CYLINDERS AND THE CYLINDER WALLS HAVING A “RIDGE” AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RING TRAVEL.
ALUMINUM SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER DURING 100HR INSPECTION. FOUND THIS TO BE A RESULT OF BOTH PISTON PIN PLUGS BEING WORN ON #1 CYLINDER AND THE CYLINDER WALL HAVING A “RIDGE” AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RING TRAVEL.
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
