Cessna 150 vs Piper Tri-Pacer
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
Piper Tri-Pacer
- For sale now
- 11
- Median asking
- $47,450
- Range
- $19,875–$85,000
- Model years available
- 1950–2019
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
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 128 |
Piper Tri-Pacer — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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 150 | Piper Tri-Pacer |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 3241 | — |
| Serious | 351 | — |
| Fatal | 427 | — |
| Fatalities | 611 | — |
| % Fatal | 13% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 150 | Piper Tri-Pacer |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $32,955 – $91,808 | $19,875 – $85,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 100 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 97 kts (180 km/h) | 115 kts (213 km/h) |
| Range | 420 nm (778 km) | 500 nm (926 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 16,000 ft (4,877 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,600 lbs (726 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 530 lbs (240 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 26.0 gal (98 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) | 8.5 GPH (32 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $25,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $15,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $100 | — |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 150
Fuel$33/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$35,000/yr
Piper Tri-Pacer
Fuel$47/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 150 or Piper Tri-Pacer?
Pick the 150 if…
- More inventory — 51 listings vs 14.
Pick the Tri-Pacer if…
- Budget matters — from $19,875 vs $32,955, you save ~$13,080.
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 115 kts vs 97 kts.
- Longer range — 500 nm vs 420 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 150 or Piper Tri-Pacer?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 150 cruises at 97 kts with 420 nm range.
The Tri-Pacer cruises at 115 kts with 500 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 150: from $89,000.
Piper Tri-Pacer: from $89,500.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 150 and Piper Tri-Pacer?
150 engine: CONTINENTAL O-200 (100 hp).
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 97 vs 115 kts.
Range: 420 vs 500 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
150: 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?
150: 2 seats / 530 lb useful load.
Tri-Pacer: 4 seats / 850 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.
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