American Champion Citabria vs Cessna 152
The Citabria (tailwheel, aerobatic) and Cessna 152 (tricycle trainer) compare two affordable two-seat trainers with very different missions.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
American Champion Citabria
No active listings right now.
Cessna 152
- For sale now
- 59
- Median asking
- $70,000
- Range
- $45,545–$117,000
- Model years available
- 1977–1983
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | American Champion Citabria | Cessna 152 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 2435 |
| Serious | — | 130 |
| Fatal | — | 255 |
| Fatalities | — | 386 |
| % Fatal | — | 10% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | American Champion Citabria | Cessna 152 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $27,021 – $43,234 | $45,545 – $117,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 160 HP | 110 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 110 kts (204 km/h) | 100 kts (185 km/h) |
| Range | 480 nm (889 km) | 415 nm (769 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 15,500 ft (4,724 m) | 14,700 ft (4,481 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 1,670 lbs (758 kg) |
| Useful Load | 550 lbs (249 kg) | 528 lbs (240 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 26.0 gal (98 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 9.0 GPH (34 L/h) | 6.1 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 2,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $22,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $15,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $100 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateAmerican Champion Citabria
Fuel$50/hr
Cessna 152
Fuel$34/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$35,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: American Champion Citabria or Cessna 152?
Bottom line: Choose the Cessna 152 for the easiest tricycle-gear training and ubiquity; choose the Citabria to learn tailwheel and basic aerobatics in one characterful aircraft. 152 = easy/ubiquitous; Citabria = tailwheel/aerobatic skill-builder.
Pick the Citabria if…
- Budget matters — from $27,021 vs $45,545, you save ~$18,524.
- Faster cruise — 110 kts vs 100 kts.
- Longer range — 480 nm vs 415 nm.
Pick the 152 if…
- More inventory — 60 listings vs 2.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between the Champion Citabria and Cessna 152?
Aerobatic taildragger vs conventional trainer. The Cessna 152 (O-235-L2C, 110 hp, 2 seats side-by-side, tricycle gear, ~107 kt) is the training standard. The Champion Citabria (7ECA, Lycoming O-235, ~115 hp, 2 seats tandem, taildragger, fabric-and-tube, aerobatic-capable, ~105–115 kt) is a fabric aircraft for taildragger and aerobatic training.
Citabria or Cessna 152 — which two-seater?
Buy the 152 if: primary instrument and cross-country training, IFR currency, or the lowest two-seat training cost define the mission. Buy the Citabria if: a taildragger endorsement, aerobatic training, and fabric aircraft ownership are the goal. The two aircraft complement rather than compete — one for instrument/cross-country, the other for stick-and-rudder and aerobatics.
Do the Citabria and 152 share an engine?
Both use Lycoming O-235 variants of similar displacement — the 152's O-235-L2C produces 110 hp; the Citabria 7ECA's O-235 is comparable. Despite the shared engine family, the aircraft are fundamentally different in mission: the 152 for conventional tricycle-gear training, the Citabria for tailwheel handling and aerobatics.
How do specs compare?
Cessna 152: O-235-L2C (110 hp), 2 seats side-by-side, tricycle, aluminium, ~107 kt. Champion Citabria 7ECA: O-235 (~115 hp), 2 seats tandem, taildragger, fabric-and-tube, aerobatic, ~105–115 kt.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The 152 is less expensive for total ownership — a massive fleet, universal A&P support, and aluminium maintenance with no fabric recovering needed. The Citabria's fabric covering requires periodic recovery — a recurring cost the 152 avoids. For training operations, the 152 is more economical.
Which should I buy?
Cessna 152 for training, IFR currency, and practical two-seat flying at the lowest cost. Champion Citabria for a taildragger endorsement, aerobatic training, and the distinctive fabric aircraft experience.
Which is better, American Champion Citabria or Cessna 152?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Citabria cruises at 110 kts with 480 nm range.
The 152 cruises at 100 kts with 415 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
American Champion Citabria: from $27,021.
Cessna 152: from $89,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between American Champion Citabria and Cessna 152?
152 engine: LYCOMING O-235 (110 hp).
Cruise: 110 vs 100 kts.
Range: 480 vs 415 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
152: about $100/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Citabria: 2 seats / 550 lb useful load.
152: 2 seats / 528 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
152: 2,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$22,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data