In 1957 the model 140 jigs (last used in 1953) were renovated and used for a new tricycle undercarriage trainer, the model 150, first flying in September 1957.
Available from 1959 the early model 150s had aluminum tail cones that slope uninterrupted from the wings to the base of their squared tails, and were powered by an 80 hp / 75kW Continental O-200 engine, the installation of dual controls being optional.
The airplane was sold in three different versions (standard, trainer, and commuter varying only in deluxe extras), the most elaborate of which, the Commuter, listed for $8,545 in 1959.
Just over 2,000 square tails were built 1959 to 1963. At 1,500 pounds, the square tails grossed out 100 pounds lighter than later models. Those 150s cruised faster and farther, climbed better and flew higher than their progeny. In 1961 the main gear was shifted aft two inches, thereby solving an earlier tail heaviness on the ground.
The 1964 model marked the beginnings of cosmetic refinements. The 150C introduced a ‘family seat’ for one or two children of 80 kg maximum. The 150 now offered “Omni Vision” as the CE-150D. The airplane’s tail cone was cut down and a rear window was added. The gross weight rose to 1,600 pounds, increasing the useful load by 80 pounds and the luggage compart¬ment capacity by 40 pounds to 120. Accompanying performance changes were lowered speeds, ranges and ceilings. Retaining the vertical tail surfaces of the earlier models this, the rarest of all the 150s, was built for only two years.
Two years later, Cessna increased their trainer production five fold, and 150 prices decreased by 10 percent. Electric flaps were added, and the tail was swept back with the introduction of the CE-150F. Accord¬ing to some mechanics, workmanship on the new, cheaper model was sloppy, so that 1966 airplanes require more maintenance. By the next model year, the maintenance problems had been solved, and the panel was redesigned to group the primary instruments in front of the pilot. The top of the panel was squared off, thereby increasing visibility. That airplane was listed for $9,950 in 1967.
In 1970, Cessna introduced the Model A150K Acrobat, a 150 with structural changes to allow aerobatics. It is rated at +6G to -3G, which permits most standard acrobatic maneuvers such as snap rolls, barrel and aileron rolls, Cuban eights, loops, etc. Empty weight of the Aerobat is slightly higher than the standard 150, and speed is reduced by two mph. Total production struggled to reach 1200.
Since then the changes have been largely cosmetic with new spinner, wheel fairings, dorsal fins, and engine types. Identified as models l50F to 150M, built until 1977 and the introduction of the model 152.
The 150’s 100 hp Continental 0-200 A had an original TBO of only 600 hours, but that number had doubled by 1964 and tripled by 1969.
Production at Wichita was boosted by licence production in France, Colombia, and Argentina. All French Rheims built CE-150s had the 130hp Rolls-Rotce Continental engine fitted as standard.
Production began in August 1958 and by the time it ended during 1977 a total of 23,836 had been built, this figure including 1,754 built in France by Reims Aviation under the designation Reims F-150.
CE-150
Engine: 1 x Continental O-200-A, 100 hp.
Wingspan: 32 ft 8.5 in / 0.97 m
Length: 23 ft 0 on / 7.01 m
Wing loading: 10.2 lb/sq.ft.
Pwr loading: 16 lb/hp.
Gross wt: 1600 lb.
Empty wt: 990 lb / 458 kg
Equipped useful load: 554 lb.
Fuel cap: 135/210 lb.
Payload max fuel: 344 lb.
Range max fuel/75% pwr: 579nm/5.5hr.
Range max fuel / 55% pwr: 734 nm/ 7.7 hr.
Service ceiling: 12,650 ft / 3850 m
75% cruise: 102 kt / 117 mph / 188 kph
55% cruise: 96 kt.
Stall: 42-46 kt.
1.3 Vso: 55 kt.
ROC: 670 fpm / 204 m.min
Min field length: 1385 ft.
Seats: 2.
CE-150 Commuter
Engine: 1 x Continental O-200-A, 100 hp.
Wingspan: 33 ft 2 in / 10.11 m
Length: 23 ft 9 in / 7.24 m
Wing loading: 10 lb/sq.ft.
Pwr loading: 16 lb/hp.
Gross wt: 1600 lb.
Empty wt: 1060 lb / 480 kg
Equipped useful load: 480 lb.
Fuel cap: 135/210 lb.
Payload max fuel: 270 lb
Baggage cap” 120 lb / 54 kg
Range max fuel/75% pwr: 584nm/5.5hr.
Range max fuel / 55% pwr: 742 nm/ 7.7 hr.
Service ceiling: 12,650 ft / 3850 m
75% cruise: 102 kt / 117 mph / 188 kph
55% cruise: 97 kt.
Stall: 42-46 kt.
1.3 Vso: 55 kt.
ROC: 670 fpm / 204 m.min
Min field length: 1385 ft.
Seats: 2
CE-A150 Aerobat
Engine: 1 x Continental O-200-A, 100 hp.
Seats: 2.
Wing loading: 10.2 lb/sq.ft.
Pwr loading: 16 lb/hp.
Gross wt: 1600 lb.
Empty wt: 1076 lb.
Equipped useful load: 478 lb.
Payload max fuel: 268 lb.
Range max fuel/75% pwr: 579nm/5.5hr.
Range max fuel / 55% pwr: 734 nm/ 7.7 hr.
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft.
75% cruise: 105 kt.
55% cruise: 96 kt.
Stall: 42-46 kt.
1.3 Vso: 55 kt.
ROC: 670 fpm.
Min field length: 1385 ft.
Fuel cap: 135/210 lb.
CE-150D
Engine: 100 hp Continental O-200-A
Wingspan: 33 ft 6 in
Length: 21 ft 7 in
Height: 7 ft 10 in
Wing area: 160 sq.ft
Empty weight: 970 lb
Loaded weight: 1600 lb
Max speed: 125 mph at SL
Cruise 75%: 122 mph at 7500 ft
ROC: 670 fpm
Service ceiling: 12,650 ft
Max range: 565 mi at 99 mph
CE-A150L Aerobat
Engine: Continental O-200A, 100 hp.
Prop: McCauley 69 in.
Pwr loading: 16.0 lb/hp.
Wing span: 33 ft 4 in.
Wing area: 156.9 sq.ft.
Wing loading: 10.2 lb/sq.ft.
Length: 23 ft 9 in.
Height: 8 ft. 0 in.
Seats: 2.
Baggage cap: 120 lbs.
Category: Normal / Utility / Aerobatic.
Max wt (aerobatic): 1600 lbs.
Empty wt: 1040 lbs.
Fuel cap: (std) 26 USG, (Optional aux): 38 USG.
Max cruise: 140 mph.
Maneuvering speed: 118 mph.
Stall: 48-55 mph.
T/O dist: 735 ft, (50 ft: 1385 ft).
Ldg dist: 445 ft (50 ft: 1075 ft).
ROC: 670 fpm.
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft.
Endurance / Range: (std fuel) 6.1 hr / 580 sm, (Optional aux fuel) 9.4 hr / 900 sm.
Design load: +6 / -3 G.
CE-A150M Aerobat
Engine: Continental O-200-A.
Reims Cessna F.150 Commuter
Reims Cessna F.150L
Reims Cessna FRA.150L
FRA 150L Aerobat
Engine: RR-Continental, 130 hp.
Cruise: 100 kt.
Reims Cessna F.150M
CE-150F/150
Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150 hp.
Cruise: 110 kts.
Stall: 27 kts.
ROC: 1100 fpm.
T/O dist: 110m.
Avcon CE-150 & Aerobat
Engines: 1 x Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150 hp.
Seats: 2.
Wing loading: 10.2 lb/sq.ft.
Pwr loading: 10.7 lb/lb.
Max TO wt: 1600 lb.
Empty wt: 1005 lb.
Equipped useful load: 560 lb.
Payload max fuel: 425 lb.
Range max fuel/ 75% cruise: 384 nm/2.4 hr.
Service ceiling: 20,600 ft.
75% cruise: 124 kt.
Stall: 42-48 kt.
1.3 Vso: 55 kt.
ROC: 1125 fpm.
Min field length: 350 ft.
Fuel cap: 135 lb.
All Aero 