Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
The 152 developed from Cessna's earlier 150, retaining the compact side-by-side cabin and simple high-wing layout. It became a familiar aircraft at flying schools and clubs. The Aerobat branch added equipment and structural provisions for aerobatic use. Its smaller cabin distinguishes it from the four-seat 172 even when the family styling looks similar.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗An instructor and mechanic gets to know the Aerobat
Griffith writes about the A152 she teaches in and maintains at Fox Aviation. The school calls it Brat, a nickname that reflects the small surprises it can still give students who think they have mastered its habits. To her, it retains the familiar feel of an ordinary 150 or 152, with structural strengthening that makes it useful for stall and spin instruction.
Cessna Owner Organization, 30 July 2020. Fox Aviation A152 Aerobat; instructor and mechanic account.
Cessna Owner Organization · Read more ↗A trainer with simulated wear and starting problems
The X-Plane 12 manual describes spark-plug fouling after prolonged low-power operation, vapour lock during a hot turnaround, and a battery that can be exhausted by electrical loads or repeated starting attempts. The EFB exposes engine-condition information and failure options. Ground equipment includes chocks and tie-downs that appear only with the aircraft stationary, engine stopped and parking brake applied. This description applies to the Just Flight/Thranda package.
Cessna 152 / Aerobat · Just Flight · X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11
Just Flight / Thranda Design · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Brady Skye
Cessna 152 Flight Training (startup, takeoff, landing, traffic pattern)
A cockpit view of training, including a traffic pattern and landing.
Real Cessna 152; flight training
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Meet Cessna 152 / Aerobat
The 152 developed from Cessna's earlier 150, retaining the compact side-by-side cabin and simple high-wing layout. It became a familiar aircraft at flying schools and clubs. The Aerobat branch added equipment and structural provisions for aerobatic use.
Its smaller cabin distinguishes it from the four-seat 172 even when the family styling looks similar. The simulator products identify the standard 152 and Aerobat separately, with their panel layouts and configurations.
Cessna 152 / Aerobat
Cessna → · Explore the family →
Cessna 152
Wikipedia contributors · Cessna 152 ↗Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024 →Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020 →Cessna A152 Aerobat
Aerobatic version of the 152; its limits and configuration require the applicable variant source.
Wikipedia contributors · Cessna 152 ↗Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024 →Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020 →Just Flight · X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11 →Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
A refinement of the familiar two-seat Cessna
The C152 followed the C150, retaining a two-seat cabin, fixed tricycle undercarriage and fixed-pitch propeller. Its changes included a more powerful Lycoming engine and an increased useful load. Just Flight’s historical introduction dates production from 1977 to 1985, with more than 7,500 aircraft built.
Just Flight / Thranda Design · C152 X-Plane 12 Operations Manual ↗C152 X-Plane 12 Operations Manual · PDF p.6 · historical introduction
Development milestones
Developed from: Cessna 150
Wikipedia contributors · Cessna 152 ↗Cessna 152 · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1372668900
Systems & details
Simple controls with different jobs
The yokes and pedals operate the primary flight controls through mechanical linkages. A separate wheel adjusts the elevator trim tab, while an electric system moves the wing flaps. The two wing fuel tanks feed through a shut-off valve between the seats. These arrangements are described in Just Flight’s C152 systems guide.
Pilot accounts
An instructor and mechanic gets to know the Aerobat
Griffith writes about the A152 she teaches in and maintains at Fox Aviation. The school calls it Brat, a nickname that reflects the small surprises it can still give students who think they have mastered its habits. To her, it retains the familiar feel of an ordinary 150 or 152, with structural strengthening that makes it useful for stall and spin instruction. She explicitly says she had not flown a full aerobatic programme in this example because the school lacked the required parachutes.
Her account also shows how a working trainer evolves. The school replaced the vacuum instruments with Garmin G5 displays, partly because repeated spin training was shortening gyro life, while retaining much of the straightforward original panel layout. She noticed that this particular Aerobat sometimes resisted developing a strong right-hand spin. Frequent grass-strip use and primary training also led to removing its wheel fairings. Her affection centres on a durable, uncomplicated aeroplane whose individual quirks she knows through both flying and maintenance.
Cessna Owner Organization, 30 July 2020. Fox Aviation A152 Aerobat; instructor and mechanic account.
Read the full account · Cessna Owner Organization ↗A small trainer opens the door to a first flight
Beckett describes using an Aviat-refurbished Reimagined Cessna 152 to introduce people to general aviation. He appreciates the fresh condition and complete, working panel: familiar round instruments make the aircraft approachable to returning pilots as well as newcomers. The refurbishment matters to his experience because the aeroplane presents the simplicity of a 152 without the missing instruments and inoperative labels that can accompany an elderly training fleet.
He illustrates that role through a familiarisation flight with Alena, a visitor from Germany who had never flown in a light aircraft. Initially she preferred to watch while he taxied. Once airborne, she spent much of their nearly hour-long outing at the controls, alternating flying with sightseeing as her confidence grew. Beckett gave her room to participate at a comfortable level.
General Aviation News, 2 June 2016. Familiarisation flight in a refurbished Reimagined Cessna 152.
Read the full account · General Aviation News ↗Two yellow trainers in a friendly comparison
Hirschman reports a side-by-side comparison in which Mark Evans flew the 1978 Cessna 152 N152UC and Hirschman flew a 1976 Cessna 150M. Both were recently refurbished by Aviat, with full fuel and one pilot aboard. The 152 accelerated ahead and opened a much clearer advantage in the climb. At altitude its speed advantage was small, and Hirschman acknowledged the comparison depended on accurate tachometers and both pilots observing their engine-speed limits.
The slower exercises gave the 150 advantages in their stall and turning comparisons, although Hirschman jokes that his own flying may have influenced the turn result. On approach, he found the 152 less prone to a pronounced sink at idle with full flap than the 150 with its greater flap travel. The lasting memory was the enjoyment of flying the two bright yellow trainers together, with plenty of radio banter. Their observations describe this particular pair and afternoon, including the two pilots' different seats in the comparison.
AOPA Pilot, 5 December 2015. Frederick, Maryland; Evans flew the 152, Hirschman the accompanying 150M.
Read the full account · AOPA Pilot ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2024152
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
152
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2024152 Aerobat
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
152 Aerobat
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020Cessna 152
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Cessna 152
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020Cessna 152 Aerobat
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Cessna 152 Aerobat
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11Cessna 152 / Aerobat · Just Flight
Just Flight · Released
Cessna 152 / Aerobat · Just Flight
Just Flight · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 24 ft 1 in (7.34 m) |
| Wingspan | 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m) |
| Height | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Wing area | 160 sq ft (15 m² ) |
| Empty weight | 1,081 lb (490 kg) |
| Gross weight | 1,670 lb (757 kg) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Lycoming O-235 -L2C flat-4 engine , 110 hp (82 kW) |
| Propellers | 2-bladed fixed pitch, 69 inches (175 cm) McCauley or 72 in (183 cm) Sensenich propeller |
| Maximum speed | 126 mph (203 km/h, 109 kn) |
| Cruise speed | 123 mph (198 km/h, 107 kn) |
| Stall speed | 49 mph (79 km/h, 43 kn) (power off, flaps down) |
| Range | 477 mi (768 km, 415 nmi) |
| Service ceiling | 14,700 ft (4,500 m) |
| Rate of climb | 715 ft/min (3.63 m/s) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
A trainer with simulated wear and starting problemsCessna 152 / Aerobat · Just Flight · Just Flight · X-Plane 12 · X-Plane 11
The X-Plane 12 manual describes spark-plug fouling after prolonged low-power operation, vapour lock during a hot turnaround, and a battery that can be exhausted by electrical loads or repeated starting attempts. The EFB exposes engine-condition information and failure options. Ground equipment includes chocks and tie-downs that appear only with the aircraft stationary, engine stopped and parking brake applied. This description applies to the Just Flight/Thranda package.
C152 X-Plane 12 Operations Manual · PDF pp.26–27 · documented simulation features
Just Flight / Thranda Design · Read the source ↗Pilot account
An instructor and mechanic gets to know the AerobatCessna Owner Organization, 30 July 2020. Fox Aviation A152 Aerobat; instructor and mechanic account.
Griffith writes about the A152 she teaches in and maintains at Fox Aviation. The school calls it Brat, a nickname that reflects the small surprises it can still give students who think they have mastered its habits. To her, it retains the familiar feel of an ordinary 150 or 152, with structural strengthening that makes it useful for stall and spin instruction. She explicitly says she had not flown a full aerobatic programme in this example because the school lacked the required parachutes.
Tamara Griffith
Cessna Owner Organization · Read the source ↗A small trainer opens the door to a first flightGeneral Aviation News, 2 June 2016. Familiarisation flight in a refurbished Reimagined Cessna 152.
Beckett describes using an Aviat-refurbished Reimagined Cessna 152 to introduce people to general aviation. He appreciates the fresh condition and complete, working panel: familiar round instruments make the aircraft approachable to returning pilots as well as newcomers. The refurbishment matters to his experience because the aeroplane presents the simplicity of a 152 without the missing instruments and inoperative labels that can accompany an elderly training fleet.
Jamie Beckett
General Aviation News · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manualsMicrosoft / aircraft developers C152 X-Plane 12 Operations ManualJust Flight / Thranda Design · X-Plane 12 edition · archived 12 September 2026Aircraft background
Cessna 152Wikipedia contributors · Research background · Wikipedia revision 1372668900 · retrieved 2026-09-12Resource
MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoft MSFS 2020 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoftProduct
C152 (X-Plane 12)Just Flight · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12 C152 (X-Plane 11)Just Flight · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12Type designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 6 profile choices
Just Flight C152
Just Flight · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Just Flight C152: Manual primary controls motivate speed-dependent yoke resistance, with pitch and roll balance supplied by this profile's separate loading terms.
WBSim / JPLogistics C152 standard
WBSim / JPLogistics · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
WBSim / JPLogistics C152 standard: Manual primary controls motivate speed-dependent yoke resistance, with pitch and roll balance supplied by this profile's separate loading terms.
WBSim / JPLogistics C152 wheel fairings
WBSim / JPLogistics · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
WBSim / JPLogistics C152 wheel fairings: Manual primary controls motivate speed-dependent yoke resistance, with pitch and roll balance supplied by this profile's separate loading terms.
WBSim / JPLogistics C152 taildragger
WBSim / JPLogistics · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
WBSim / JPLogistics C152 taildragger: Manual primary controls motivate speed-dependent yoke resistance, with pitch and roll balance supplied by this profile's separate loading terms.
Cessna 152
Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
Cessna 152: Manual primary controls motivate speed-dependent yoke resistance, with pitch and roll balance supplied by this profile's separate loading terms.
Cessna A152 Aerobat
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
Cessna A152 Aerobat: Manual primary controls motivate speed-dependent yoke resistance, with pitch and roll balance supplied by this profile's separate loading terms.
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