RTL
Genghis started this thread to ask about differences between the two aircraft. Statistics suggest C150s are involved in significantly more stall/spin crashes than 152s. The obvious question is why. Without knowing details of every accident we can’t say if there is a discernable pattern, but
if (as I suspect) many of them involve base to final turns, it would suggest that maybe it’s worth comparing differences between the two types on base leg.
One clear difference is operation of the flaps. You prefer the C150’s system, I (and others) think the 152’s is better. The reason I prefer the 152 is that as a wet behind the ears 50hr PPL, I was nearly bitten by a 150 in a base to final turn. (I learned about flying from that). Mulling it over on the ground, I believed it was allowing myself to get fixated on operating the flaps that caused me to let the airspeed get dangerously low. Maybe it was low-hours, maybe it was because I learned in a 152 and was new to the 150, maybe I’m being unfair on the aircraft and I’m just a rubbish pilot. Who knows.
At the risk of going round in circles, I’m not claiming the C150 is a menace to all who fly it (and I do know how much fun you can have with 40 degrees of flap).
All I’m suggesting is that the 152 has a flap operation which is simpler for the inexperienced and/or unwary – at a stage of flight where mistakes are very costly.
How much do you want for your 150 by the way?
