Cessna 152 Specs: Weights, V-Speeds, Cruise

Q: How much fuel does a Cessna 152 hold?

24.5 gallons usable. At a high-cruise burn of 6.1 GPH that is roughly 4.0 hours to dry tanks. Plan with reserves, never to zero.

Q: What is the useful load of a Cessna 152?

About 590 lb for a typically equipped example (1670 lb max gross minus a typical empty weight of 1080 lb). Use your aircraft's own weight-and-balance records, not type averages.

Q: What is the Vne of a Cessna 152?

VNE (never exceed) is 149 kt and VNO (max structural cruising) is 111 kt. Verify against the POH for your serial number.

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In the FlightDecide app since 2026-07-16. Reviewed 2026-09-28. 7 of 8 tables from the handbook. Anything marked “Not yet verified against the handbook” comes from FlightDecide's earlier library and hasn't been checked against the printed page.

Cessna 152 preflight numbers at a glance: max gross weight 1670 lb, typical useful load 590 lb, 24.5 gal usable fuel, cruise up to about 107 KTAS (reference figure at 8000 ft, standard day). 7 of the 8 performance tables below are read from the published POH/AFM; treat the ones marked “Not yet verified against the handbook” as estimates. Use them for planning and study, and confirm against the POH for your specific serial number before flight.

Cessna 152 specs and key numbers

Not yet verified against the handbook

Engine	Lycoming O-235-L2C
Propeller	Sensenich 69EM6-0-56
Max gross weight	1670 lb
Empty weight (typical)	1080 lb
Useful load (typical)	590 lb
Usable fuel	24.5 gal
Service ceiling	14,700 ft

Cessna 152 V-speeds

Not yet verified against the handbook

Knots indicated (KIAS) unless the POH states otherwise. Speeds vary by model year and serial; the placarded speeds and your POH govern.

Speed	Value	Meaning
V_S0	43 kt	Stall, landing configuration
V_S1	48 kt	Stall, clean configuration
V_X	55 kt	Best angle of climb
V_Y	67 kt	Best rate of climb
V_A	104 kt	Design maneuvering speed (at max gross)
V_FE	85 kt	Max flaps extended
V_NO	111 kt	Max structural cruising
V_NE	149 kt	Never exceed
Best glide	60 kt	Best glide speed

Cessna 152 cruise performance

Not yet verified against the handbook

Source not verified: these rows are the library's earlier transcription, and the pages they cite have not been checked against the handbook. True airspeed and fuel flow depend on altitude, power setting, temperature and leaning technique.

Source: Figure 5-7

Recommended lean mixture: 95 published rows
Pressure altitude	RPM	ISA-20 °C			ISA			ISA+20 °C
Pressure altitude	RPM	%	TAS	GPH	%	TAS	GPH	%	TAS	GPH
2,000 ft	2,000	49	81	4.1	47	80	3.9	46	79	3.8
2,000 ft	2,100	55	87	4.5	53	86	4.3	51	85	4.2
2,000 ft	2,200	62	92	5.1	59	91	4.8	56	90	4.6
2,000 ft	2,300	71	97	5.7	66	96	5.4	63	95	5.1
2,000 ft	2,400				75	101	6.1	70	101	5.7
4,000 ft	2,000	48	81	3.9	46	80	3.8	45	78	3.7
4,000 ft	2,100	53	86	4.4	51	85	4.2	49	84	4.0
4,000 ft	2,200	60	91	4.8	56	90	4.6	54	89	4.4
4,000 ft	2,300	67	96	5.4	63	95	5.1	60	95	4.9
4,000 ft	2,400	76	102	6.1	71	101	5.7	67	100	5.4
4,000 ft	2,450				75	103	6.1	70	102	5.7
6,000 ft	2,000	46	80	3.8	45	79	3.7	44	77	3.6
6,000 ft	2,100	51	85	4.2	49	84	4.0	48	83	3.9
6,000 ft	2,200	57	90	4.6	54	89	4.4	52	88	4.3
6,000 ft	2,300	64	96	5.2	60	95	4.9	57	94	4.7
6,000 ft	2,400	72	101	5.8	67	100	5.4	64	99	5.2
6,000 ft	2,500				75	105	6.1	71	104	5.7
8,000 ft	2,100	49	84	4.1	48	83	3.9	46	82	3.8
8,000 ft	2,200	55	90	4.5	52	89	4.3	51	87	4.2
8,000 ft	2,300	61	95	5.0	58	94	4.7	55	93	4.5
8,000 ft	2,400	68	100	5.5	64	99	5.2	61	98	4.9
8,000 ft	2,500	76	105	6.2	71	104	5.8	67	103	5.4
8,000 ft	2,550				75	107	6.1	71	106	5.7
10,000 ft	2,100	48	83	4.0	46	82	3.9	45	81	3.8
10,000 ft	2,200	53	89	4.3	51	88	4.2	49	86	4.0
10,000 ft	2,300	58	94	4.7	56	93	4.5	53	92	4.4
10,000 ft	2,400	65	99	5.3	61	98	5.0	58	97	4.8
10,000 ft	2,500	72	105	5.8	68	103	5.5	64	103	5.2
12,000 ft	2,100	47	82	3.9	45	81	3.8	44	79	3.7
12,000 ft	2,200	51	88	4.2	49	87	4.1	48	85	4.0
12,000 ft	2,300	56	93	4.6	54	92	4.4	52	91	4.3
12,000 ft	2,400	62	99	5.0	59	97	4.8	56	96	4.6
12,000 ft	2,450	65	101	5.3	62	100	5.0	59	99	4.8

How much runway does a Cessna 152 need?

Handbook figures at 1670 lb, 0 ft pressure altitude, 10 °C. Real-world technique, wind, surface, and density altitude move these substantially, so apply your own margin (many pilots use 1.5× the book number) and run the numbers for the actual conditions.

Handbook figure	Distance
Takeoff ground roll	695 ft
Takeoff over a 50 ft obstacle	1290 ft
Landing ground roll	465 ft
Landing over a 50 ft obstacle	1185 ft
Rate of climb	700 fpm

See how density altitude stretches these distances on a hot day.

Takeoff distance

Flaps 10 deg, full throttle prior to brake release, paved level dry runway, zero wind

Source: Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Cessna Model 152 · Takeoff Distance - Short Field

Ground roll (bold) and total distance over a 50 ft obstacle at 1,670 lb
Pressure altitude	0 °C	10 °C	20 °C	30 °C	40 °C
Sea level	640 / 1,190	695 / 1,290	755 / 1,390	810 / 1,495	875 / 1,605
1,000 ft	705 / 1,310	765 / 1,420	825 / 1,530	890 / 1,645	960 / 1,770
2,000 ft	775 / 1,445	840 / 1,565	910 / 1,690	980 / 1,820	1,055 / 1,960
3,000 ft	855 / 1,600	925 / 1,730	1,000 / 1,870	1,080 / 2,020	1,165 / 2,185
4,000 ft	940 / 1,775	1,020 / 1,920	1,100 / 2,080	1,190 / 2,250	1,285 / 2,440
5,000 ft	1,040 / 1,970	1,125 / 2,140	1,215 / 2,320	1,315 / 2,525	1,420 / 2,750
6,000 ft	1,145 / 2,200	1,245 / 2,395	1,345 / 2,610	1,455 / 2,855	1,570 / 3,125
7,000 ft	1,270 / 2,470	1,375 / 2,705	1,490 / 2,960	1,615 / 3,255	1,745 / 3,590
8,000 ft	1,405 / 2,800	1,525 / 3,080	1,655 / 3,395	1,795 / 3,765	1,940 / 4,195
9,000 ft	1,554 / 3,174	1,691 / 3,507	1,838 / 3,894	1,995 / 4,355	2,157 / 4,902
10,000 ft	1,720 / 3,598	1,876 / 3,993	2,042 / 4,466	2,217 / 5,037	2,398 / 5,728

from the handbook extrapolated beyond the handbook

Landing distance

Flaps 30 deg, power off, maximum braking, paved level dry runway, zero wind

Source: Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Cessna Model 152 · Figure 5-10 · Landing Distance - Short Field · page 5-19

Ground roll (bold) and total distance over a 50 ft obstacle at 1,670 lb
Pressure altitude	0 °C	10 °C	20 °C	30 °C	40 °C
Sea level	450 / 1,160	465 / 1,185	485 / 1,215	500 / 1,240	515 / 1,265
1,000 ft	465 / 1,185	485 / 1,215	500 / 1,240	520 / 1,270	535 / 1,295
2,000 ft	485 / 1,215	500 / 1,240	520 / 1,270	535 / 1,300	555 / 1,330
3,000 ft	500 / 1,240	520 / 1,275	540 / 1,305	560 / 1,335	575 / 1,360
4,000 ft	520 / 1,275	540 / 1,305	560 / 1,335	580 / 1,370	600 / 1,400
5,000 ft	540 / 1,305	560 / 1,335	580 / 1,370	600 / 1,400	620 / 1,435
6,000 ft	560 / 1,340	580 / 1,370	605 / 1,410	625 / 1,440	645 / 1,475
7,000 ft	585 / 1,375	605 / 1,410	625 / 1,440	650 / 1,480	670 / 1,515
8,000 ft	605 / 1,410	630 / 1,450	650 / 1,480	675 / 1,520	695 / 1,555
9,000 ft	626 / 1,446	656 / 1,491	676 / 1,521	701 / 1,561	721 / 1,596
10,000 ft	647 / 1,483	683 / 1,533	703 / 1,563	728 / 1,603	748 / 1,638

from the handbook extrapolated beyond the handbook

Short field technique as specified in Section 4.
Decrease distances 10% for each 9 knots headwind. For operation with tailwinds up to 10 knots, increase distances by 10% for each 2 knots.
For operation on a dry, grass runway, increase distances by 45% of the "ground roll" figure.
Speed at 50 ft: 54 KIAS.

Rate of climb

Flaps up, full throttle

Source: Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Cessna Model 152 · Figure 5-5 · Rate of Climb - Maximum · page 5-12

Rate of climb in feet per minute at 1,670 lb
Pressure altitude	-20 °C	0 °C	20 °C	40 °C
Sea level	835	765	700	630
1,000 ft	785	718	650	582
2,000 ft	735	670	600	535
3,000 ft	685	620	552	490
4,000 ft	635	570	505	445
5,000 ft	585	522	460	400
6,000 ft	535	475	415	355
7,000 ft	488	428	368	310
8,000 ft	440	380	320	265
9,000 ft	390	332	275	220
10,000 ft	340	285	230	175

from the handbook interpolated

Mixture leaned above 3000 feet for maximum RPM.

Stall speeds

Power off, 1670 lb, most rearward and most forward center of gravity

Source: Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Cessna Model 152 · Figure 5-3 · Stall Speeds · page 5-10

Altitude loss during a stall recovery may be as much as 160 feet. (page 5-10)
KIAS values are approximate and are based on airspeed calibration data with power off. (page 5-10)

KIAS (bold) over KCAS, Most rearward C.G.
Flap setting	0°	30°	45°	60°
Flaps up	36 / 46	39 / 49	43 / 55	51 / 65
Flaps 10°	36 / 43	39 / 46	43 / 51	51 / 61
Flaps 30°	31 / 41	33 / 44	37 / 49	44 / 58

KIAS (bold) over KCAS, Most forward C.G.
Flap setting	0°	30°	45°	60°
Flaps up	40 / 48	43 / 52	48 / 57	57 / 68
Flaps 10°	40 / 46	43 / 49	48 / 55	57 / 65
Flaps 30°	35 / 43	38 / 46	42 / 51	49 / 61

Time, fuel and distance to climb

Flaps up, full throttle, standard temperature

Source: Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Cessna Model 152 · Figure 5-6 · Time, Fuel, and Distance to Climb - Maximum Rate of Climb · page 5-13

Add 0.8 of a gallon of fuel for engine start, taxi and takeoff allowance. (page 5-13)
Mixture leaned above 3000 feet for maximum RPM. (page 5-13)
Increase time, fuel and distance by 10% for each 10 C above standard temperature. (page 5-13)
Distances shown are based on zero wind. (page 5-13)

Time, Fuel, and Distance to Climb - Maximum Rate of Climb
Pressure altitude	Climb speed (KIAS)	Rate of climb (fpm)	Time (min)	Fuel used (gal)	Distance (NM)
Sea level	67	715	0	0	0
1,000 ft	66	675	1	0.2	2
2,000 ft	66	630	3	0.4	3
3,000 ft	65	590	5	0.7	5
4,000 ft	65	550	6	0.9	7
5,000 ft	64	505	8	1.2	9
6,000 ft	63	465	10	1.4	12
7,000 ft	63	425	13	1.7	14
8,000 ft	62	380	15	2.0	17
9,000 ft	62	340	18	2.3	21
10,000 ft	61	300	21	2.6	25
11,000 ft	61	255	25	3.0	29
12,000 ft	60	215	29	3.4	34

Common Questions

How fast does a Cessna 152 cruise?

Per the library's cruise table, not yet verified against the handbook, up to about 107 KTAS at 8000 ft on a standard day, burning roughly 6.1 GPH at that setting. Typical everyday cruise settings run slower and leaner; see the table above.

How much fuel does a Cessna 152 hold?

24.5 gallons usable. At a high-cruise burn of 6.1 GPH that is roughly 4.0 hours to dry tanks. Plan with reserves, never to zero.

What is the useful load of a Cessna 152?

About 590 lb for a typically equipped example (1670 lb max gross minus a typical empty weight of 1080 lb). Your aircraft's actual empty weight and CG come from its own weight-and-balance records. Always use those, not type averages.

What is the Vne of a Cessna 152?

V_NE (never exceed) is 149 kt and V_NO (max structural cruising) is 111 kt. Full V-speed table above; verify against the POH for your serial.

Plan a flight in this aircraft

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Reference data for planning and study: approximate, and not a substitute for the FAA-approved AFM/POH for your specific aircraft, an official weather briefing, or your judgment as pilot in command (14 CFR 91.3). Source: Cessna Model 152 Pilot's Operating Handbook, Cessna Aircraft Company (1978 issue). Cruise performance rows transcribed verbatim from Section 5 Performance, Figure 5-7 Cruise Performance, page 5-13. Conditions: 1670 lb, Recommended Lean Mixture at all altitudes. Engine red line (Lycoming O-235-L2C): 2550 RPM, Section 2 Limitations page 2-5. Data synced from the FlightDecide aircraft library on 2026-09-28.