Traditionally, small civil aviation includes only two types of aircraft. These are aircraft available only to wealthy individuals and light aircraft, which can be purchased by almost any person from the middle link. Cessna 152 is the same, affordable option. Unpretentious in operation, cheap to manufacture and relatively inexpensive.
Small but his
For a simple person, small aviation causes very strange associations. Mostly people think of luxury private high-speed turbojet aircraft that only the wealthiest people on the planet can buy and maintain. However, this is a fallacy.
Small civil aviation involves entire families of aircraft. Moreover, for the most part these are small aircraft. Cessna 152 is the most successful model.
This aircraft is notable for its elegance and simplicity. There is nothing complicated about it. Even the most ordinary mechanic can service it. This model fits perfectly even in the most modest barn of the American type. It should be understood that the aircraft was manufactured in the 70s of the last century exclusively for the western market. This is a very small plane. Its size is perhaps the most modest among all aircraft of this class.
For its time, the model was a breakthrough. She surpassed all analogues in maneuverability, speed, efficiency, versatility and ease of training. Thanks to successful engineering solutions, this “baby” is simply ideal for young pilots. This became noticeable even at the start of sales, and a very long life path opened up for this vessel.
Classical Training Aviation
Cessna 152 has found a new application as a training aircraft. He was cheap and unpretentious. Flight training on it was held as efficiently and quickly as possible. The plane turned out to be so good that it is used to this day, although it has not been manufactured for a long time.
Why is he so popular? Everything is very simple. For all the time it was released about 7600 copies. Today, such an aircraft costs only 35,000 US dollars. For aviation it’s a penny. In addition, the model was innovative. Firstly, in its characteristics, it surpasses even new small planes. Secondly, its design features are unique. Assembling a small air car, engineers preferred to use the properties of large aircraft. The case is made of aircraft aluminum. All fasteners are completely similar to Boeing aircraft. Even governing bodies repeat large aviation. The cabin does not have a handle, traditional for educational machines. Instead, a real helm was installed there.
Cessna 152 weighs about 650 kg and has a closed cabin. The wingspan does not exceed 10.17 meters, and the engine power is 110 horsepower. The factory engine is too weak, and therefore many training centers install modern engines, several times superior to the original one. This does not overload the aircraft and at the same time increases both maneuverability and maximum speed.
A big plus is the lack of need for a concrete runway. A sufficiently prepared dirt strip or just a flat field covered with low grass. This is especially true for aviation schools, because such an opportunity greatly reduces the cost of equipping the training base.
Crew
For training, only two-seater aircraft are used. Accordingly, the crew of the machine consists of either a pilot and a passenger, or a pilot and an instructor. Armchairs are convenient enough for a complete educational process. The instructor can not only fully control the student at all stages of the flight, but also, if necessary, take control of the aircraft.
Emergency landing
Many people suffer from aerophobia and are afraid to fly. Small civil aviation causes even greater fear than large aircraft. In fact, small aircraft are considered safer. Due to the fact that such aircraft weigh a little, planning allows you to not only smoothly sit on a flat surface, but also change the height using air currents. Even the emergency landing will go smoothly enough.
Cessna-152 can make a successful hard landing without harming the crew. The robust construction and body material withstands multiple damage and effectively dampens impact energy.