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Information About Cessna 150 Fuel System

The Cessna 150 is a popular private plane because it performs well. It is the fourth-most produced civilian plane, finding its place in flight instruction, personal use and even in touring. It is a fixed wing, tricycle gear, single-engine land aircraft. Its fuel system is a basic gravity-fed system with a carburetor.

  1. Fuel Tanks and Sump Drains

    • The Cessna 150 has an integral wing tank design, using the wings to store fuel. The wings can hold 38 gallons of fuel, 19 gallons per wing. Of the fuel, 35 gallons are usable, leaving 3 gallons unusable. The fuel flows by gravity through a fuel shutoff valve, through a fuel strainer and into the carburetor. The sump drains are located such that gravity pulls heavy contaminates from the fuel downward, to be drained from the sump area. Additional belly sump drains can be installed on a Cessna 150.

    Fuel Consumption

    • Fuel consumption can vary widely from what is published in the Cessna 150's handbook because of the many variables of actual flight. Your Cessna may consume up to 9 gallons an hour. Keeping the carburetor properly adjusted will aid in reducing fuel consumption. Fuel consumption also varies depending on the airplane's action. When climbing, fuel consumption can reach 10 gallons per hour, or 8.3 gallons if the fuel-air mixture is leaned. For level, cruising flight, consumption can range from 7.5 gallons per hour to a leaned 6.3. When descending, fuel consumption typically drops to 5 gallons per hour or, if leaned, to 4.

    Fuel Gauges

    • According to federal aviation regulations, fuel gauges are required to read accurately only when the tanks are either full or empty. According to the manufacturer, if the gauges are reading at the one-quarter mark for both of the tanks, then expect there to be only three gallons of fuel remaining. Given the best of circumstances, this amount of fuel will, at most, last about 20 minutes.

    Aviation Fuel Grades

    • The Cessna 150 is designed to use the 80/87 octane fuel, which is dyed red for identification. Use this as the minimum-grade fuel for your aircraft. If you are unable to get this grade, as it has become less and less available, you may use a higher grade. Never use a lower grade. The next available grades are the 100/130 octane fuel dyed green and the 100LL (low lead) which is the most commonly available and is dyed blue.

    Fuel Maintenance

    • Service a Cessna after each flight with the proper grade of fuel. On the day's first flight and after each refueling, drain the sump area for approximately four seconds. This clears the strainer of possible water, sediment or contaminants. Turn the drain knob. When finished, make sure the drainer is closed.

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