Buying guide
Cessna 150 for sale: what to check before you buy
Published November 13, 2026.
The Cessna 150 is a two-seat trainer built from 1958 to 1977 and still one of the cheapest ways to own a certified aircraft. Every one for sale today is close to 50 years old or more, so the price depends on the engine, the corrosion and the paperwork far more than on the model letter. Below is what the official type certificate says, what today's listings show, and what to check before an offer.
One type certificate, many model letters
The Cessna 150 is on FAA type certificate 3A19, which other authorities use as the reference for the type. The model changed letter almost every year, from the 150 of 1958 to the 150M of 1974; the 152, approved in 1977, is on the same certificate but with a different engine.1
| Models | Engine | Max. takeoff weight | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150, 150A, 150B, 150C | Continental O-200-A | 1,500 lb (680 kg) | 2 |
| 150D to 150M, A150K, A150L, A150M (Aerobat) | Continental O-200-A | 1,600 lb (726 kg) | 2 |
| 152, A152 | Lycoming O-235-L2C or -N2C | 1,670 lb (757 kg) | 2 |
According to the type acceptance report based on that certificate, the gross weight rose from 1,500 to 1,600 lb in 1964, tubular landing gear legs with a wider track came in 1971, and the A150 Aerobat has a strengthened airframe with jettisonable doors. The certification basis is the old Civil Air Regulations Part 3, the predecessor of today's rules.1
What today's listings show
On November 13, 2026, the PlaneFox aggregator, which collects listings from European and American portals and brokers, showed 82 Cessna 150s, built from 1958 to 1977. Sixteen are F150s built by Reims in France, the most common version in Europe.2
| PlaneFox, 11/13/2026 | Cessna 150 |
|---|---|
| Listings | 82 |
| Priced in euros (27 listings) | €19,000 to 79,000, median €39,900 |
| Priced in dollars (27 listings) | US$20,000 to 88,777, median US$45,000 |
| Total hours, where published (45 listings) | 1,850 to 14,025, median 4,708 |
| Over 8,000 hours | 9 |
One listing shows a price of £100, which is a placeholder, not a price. In this class the spread between €19,000 and €79,000 is mostly explained by the engine time, the avionics and whether the aircraft is current. Asking price is not selling price.
What to check on any Cessna 150
- Model and serial number. The model letter tells you the weight limit and the year of design changes, so check that the serial matches the model in the listing.1 The routine for checking serial, registration and owner is in this post.
- Engine time against its overhaul limit. Ask for the hours since overhaul, the date of the overhaul and who did it, and the hour and calendar limits recommended for that engine. On a €40,000 aircraft, an overhaul due soon is a large part of the price.
- Airworthiness status. Ask for the current airworthiness review certificate (ARC) or annual inspection, with the date. A listing that shows an old date may describe an aircraft that has been parked.
- Corrosion. This part is our reading. At this age, corrosion matters more than hours. Have the wing spars, the tail, the cabin floor and the fittings inspected by a shop that knows Cessna singles.
- Modifications. Mogas use, engine changes and new instruments each need their own approval. Ask for the paperwork of every modification, and check that the radio and transponder meet the airspace rules where you will fly.
- Airworthiness directives. Check the directives for the airframe, engine and propeller, and compliance in the records.3
The Cessna 150 we have for sale
- 1975 Cessna 150M, SP-FLB: 7,700 hours, Continental O-200A with 1,700 hours since overhaul, McCauley propeller, Trig Mode S transponder, €39,500.
The price is at the median of the euro listings. The engine hours as reported put it close to its overhaul, and the airframe has more hours than most 150s for sale, so the current engine time and airworthiness status are the first things to confirm with the seller.
Sources
- Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, type acceptance report TAR 98/08, Cessna 150/152 series, revision 2, Sept. 19, 2018 (based on FAA type certificate 3A19): aviation.govt.nz
- PlaneFox, Cessna 150 listings, accessed Nov. 13, 2026: planefox.com
- EASA, Safety Publications Tool (airworthiness directives): ad.easa.europa.eu