Cessna 150 vs Cessna 182

The Cessna 150 trained more pilots than nearly any other aircraft of its era — a two-seat, fixed-gear, O-200-powered ramp staple that made flying accessible and affordable from the 1950s onward. The Cessna 182 Skylane is four seats, 230 horsepower, and enough useful load to carry the whole family with luggage. The cross-shop isn't about competing in the same market — it's about the upgrade moment: the pilot who earned a certificate in a 150, now wondering whether the 182 is the right next chapter.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 150
For sale now
136
Median asking
$53,250
Range
$32,955–$91,808
Model years available
1959–1978
Cessna 182
For sale now
489
Median asking
$218,897
Range
$104,725–$564,768
Model years available
1956–2026

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Generations Breakdown

Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.

Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.

Cessna 150 — 1 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 128

Cessna 182 — 4 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
182 Continental (early) 1956–1976 O-470-L/R 2650 140 640 216
182 Continental (late) 1977–1986 O-470-U 3100 142 700 86
T182 Turbo 1981–1986 TIO-540-AK1A 3100 158 970 50
182 Lycoming 1997–now IO-540-AB1A5 3100 145 930 165

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)Cessna 150Cessna 182
All events32412779
Serious351249
Fatal427529
Fatalities6111000
% Fatal13%19%
View full Cessna 150 NTSB record →View full Cessna 182 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 150 Cessna 182
Cessna 150
View 51 listings →
Median $53,250
 Cessna 182
View 106 listings →
Median $218,897
Price Range $32,955 – $91,808 $104,725 – $564,768
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 2 4
Horsepower 100 HP 230–235 HP
Cruise Speed 97 kts (180 km/h) 140–158 kts (293 km/h)
Range 420 nm (778 km) 640–970 nm (1,796 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 18,100 ft (5,517 m)
Max Gross Weight 1,600 lbs (726 kg) 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg)
Useful Load 530 lbs (240 kg) 1,110 lbs (503 kg)
Fuel Capacity 26.0 gal (98 L) 92.0 gal (348 L)
Fuel Burn 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) 12.5 GPH (47 L/h)
TBO 1,800 hrs 1,700 hrs
Overhaul Cost $25,000 $32,000
Annual Fixed $15,000 $20,000
Hourly Variable $100 $160
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 150

Fuel$33/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $35,000/yr

Cessna 182

Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $52,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 150 or Cessna 182?

Bottom line: Stay with the 150 if you're building hours solo or with one passenger, operating on a training budget, or looking for the lowest possible cost of entry into the piston-single world. Avgas at roughly 6–7 gph is hard to beat. Move to the 182 when you need four seats, meaningful useful load (roughly 870 lb in a typical 182T), and an IFR-capable platform for real cross-country work. The payload difference alone closes the debate for most family pilots: the 150 cannot carry two adults and baggage without hitting max gross weight, while the 182 routinely does. Safety axis: both are docile, fixed-gear aircraft with excellent safety records. The 182's greater power means faster takeoffs and better climb in density-altitude situations — a meaningful edge in summer heat or high-elevation airports where the 150's 100 hp can leave you short of runway.

Pick the 150 if…

  • Budget matters — from $32,955 vs $104,725, you save ~$71,770.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$100/hr vs $160/hr.
  • Newer design — production from 1959 vs 1956.

Pick the 182 if…

  • More seats — 4 vs 2.
  • Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 97 kts.
  • Longer range — 640 nm vs 420 nm.
  • More inventory — 106 listings vs 51.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you add a back seat to a Cessna 150?
No. The Cessna 150 is a two-seat aircraft by design and certification. Its rear area is a small baggage shelf, not a bench — and the gross weight (1,600 lb) leaves almost no room for a third occupant anyway. If you need a third or fourth passenger, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the minimum platform, with the 182 Skylane adding meaningful payload and performance.
Are parts still available for a vintage Cessna 150?
Parts availability for the 150 is generally good thanks to a massive installed fleet and active aftermarket support. New-old-stock parts are increasingly rare but the owner community and aftermarket suppliers have filled gaps with STC'd alternatives. An annual on a well-maintained 150 should not be a parts hunt — but budget for it to be more involved if the aircraft hasn't been flown regularly.
Is the 182 Skylane significantly harder to fly than the 150?
Not dramatically, but the differences matter. The 182's greater power means faster accelerations, higher landing speeds (roughly 60–65 kt over the fence vs 55 for a 150), and more energy to manage. The variable-pitch propeller in most 182 variants adds one more lever. Most pilots transitioning from the 150 to a 182 find the checkout comfortable in a few hours — but density-altitude operations, heavier crosswind landings, and inadvertent flap-extension habits should all receive specific attention during the transition.
Which is better, Cessna 150 or Cessna 182?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 150 cruises at 97 kts with 420 nm range. The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 150: from $89,000. Cessna 182: from $104,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 150 and Cessna 182?
150 engine: CONTINENTAL O-200 (100 hp). 182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp). Seats: 2 vs 4. Cruise: 97 vs 140 kts. Range: 420 vs 640 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
150: about $100/hr variable cost. 182: about $160/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?
150: 2 seats / 530 lb useful load. 182: 4 seats / 1,110 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?
150: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$25,000. 182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000. 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