When Does 172 vs 152 Break Even?

[kimberlyanne546]

Question:

I love the 152. More than words can describe. I don't "hate" the 172 but it does feel like a truck to me. I will ALWAYS rent the 152 if I can (one passenger or less, who is short / skinny of course).

All other times (more than one passenger, passenger is tall or fat, etc) I will rent the 172.

When does it make sense for me to rent the 172 to save money?


Details:

The non member rate for the 1978 152 is 103.50 after fuel surcharges.

The non member rate for the "1980 Skyhawk II" 172 is 124.20 after fuel surcharges.

I flew a cross country of more than 110 nm yesterday (one way). Would the 172 have cost less? I spent 3.1 hours hobbs in the 152 but some of that was due to the 8,000 foot taxi they made me do and my "interesting" navigation (read: incorrect) and climbing too high on the way home. So perhaps I could have done it in 2.9 or 3.0

Sorry if this topic has been explored before, but if it is only a few bucks, I'm sticking with my beloved 152. If it is more significant, I might consider the switch.

Kimberly

 

[Jim Logajan]

The non member rate for the 1978 152 is 103.50 after fuel surcharges.

The non member rate for the "1980 Skyhawk II" 172 is 124.20 after fuel surcharges.

The 172 is 20% more per hour than the 152. If the 172 is more than 20% faster than the 152, then the 172 is the plane to fly.

I've found that the real-world speeds of the ones I can rent make the 152 cheaper per mile flown (flying at "rental" power.)

 

[Jim Logajan]

Straight from the C-172M and 1985 C-152 information manuals:

At 4000 ft, standard temperatures, highest shown throttle settings in cruise performance table (assumes C-152 with wheel fairings; subtract 2 KTAS if not so equipped):

C-152: 2450 RPM, 78% BHP, 104 KTAS, 6.4 GPH
C-172: 2600 RPM, 75% BHP, 116 KTAS, 8.3 GPH

On average I would expect the various ratios of "real world" machines to be similar even if the manuals are optimistic. So less than 12% difference in speed. Any rental premium above that for the C-172 must be for its longer range[*] and larger carrying capacity.

[*] Ironically, a C-152 with the larger 39 gallon tanks has a sea level range of over 600 nm, while the C-172 with 42 gallon tanks has a sea level range of about 490 nm - and both fly at about the same 86 kt speed. (45 minute reserve in both cases.)