Regarding TTAF on a Cessna 150; what is a low time, a medium time, and too much time?

Question

I found, locally, a 1972 Cessna 150 that has three owners and only 1900 TTAF. That seems pretty low.

Lot's of great answers. I thank you!


I am going to let the forum decide which is the best answer on this one.

Answer 1

Yes, that is LOW time, not necessarily a good thing tho, allowing an airplane to sit for long periods of time between flights is counterproductive. I would insist on a VERY,thorough Annual by the A&P OF YOUR CHOICE as a prebuy inspection. Pay particular attention to corrosion and hidden damage to the airframe. How old/ hours on the engine???

Answer 2

Obviously, the lower time the better. But it's all in the logbook for the airframe, the engine, etc.

A good place to start is at the top. At the time the first overhaul for the engine, that would be around 2000 hours+/-,
but you should really get to know your airplane. It's all in the logbooks, that's where you can see if it is truly a high time airframe. A 150, most likely has at some point been a trainer.
There very few C-150 aircraft which haven't been one. If you are a pilot, you know what students can do.

I have seen TTAF on a 150/152 as high a 10,000 hours. That is very, very high. But like I said, all the information you need is in the logbooks for the airframe, radios. and engine.They will tell you the story of the aircraft's life, and where it is now.

A BIG word of caution: unless you are an A&P IA, and slippim' money to the FAA, don't EVER buy an aircraft unless it has it's complete set of logs. All wieght and balance, airframe mod's - the works. Should you choose to buy a plane w/o it's logbooks, you might wind up spending a very large amount of money. It can exceed the purchse price.

I know those planes are out there, but you must be willing to spend alot more money then you planned. An aircraft can look like a Crown Jewel, but if ain't got the logbook's go elsewhere. Friendly advice, you do what you want, caveat emptor.

Answer 3

Cherokee is very correct. That's only about 55 hours per year on average. Possible, but unlikely given the three owners. I suspect you'll find the engine has the same number of hours as the airframe. Go slowly, my friend.

Somebody said of the 152 more roomy with better performance??? A 152 is nothing but a 150 wearing a Lycoming rather than a Continental. I've owned both over the years and much prefer the 150.

Answer 4

That is extremely low for a 150. Most have been used for trainers and have thousands of hours. 1977 was the last year made and assuming 100 hours per year, that would be 3000 hours TT. 54 hours per year is not good for an airplane.
Sitting around hurts an aircraft more than flying and I would look for corrosion and see if the engine has recently been overhauled.
There may be a lot of gunk in the oil pan or fuel tanks that could cause problems also. I saw a '66 last year with only 312 hours TT. The purchaser overhauled the engine and flew it home. It had been sprayed with a corrosion inhibitor and kept inside and it was like new.

Answer 5

Check the logs, I'll bet you find some years that it didn't fly! This is a super low time for that airplane and that year! I appraise aircraft and usually when we see one with really low time it is because it wasn't used. That is really hard on airframes and engines so proceed with caution. If it really was flown at least 20-25 hours every year then that is a rare find.

You can check normal times if you use the NAAA evaluation program on http://tradeaplane.com it will show the normal average time when you pull up the year and make as well as a high and low price range.

4600 is the average time for 1972 150L.
High time would be 5500 and over.

If the thing checks out and you don't want it - let me know!

Answer 6

i would prefer 152 close to money but room and performance much better.. good luck..