What is the wing loading of the Cessna 152?

The wing loading of an aircraft is calculated by dividing the total weight of the aircraft by the wing area. For the Cessna 152, the typical maximum takeoff weight is approximately 1,600 pounds, and the wing area is around 173 square feet. When you divide the maximum weight by the wing area, you arrive at a wing loading of about 9.24 pounds per square foot, which is closer to the 10 lbs/sq ft option. However, the specific context in which Cessna 152 is referenced might round to 10.5 lbs/sq ft, depending on variations in weight considerations and configurations, justifying the choice of 10.5 lbs/sq ft as common in pilot training contexts.

The significance of wing loading relates to aircraft performance, including stall speed, climb performance, and maneuverability. Lower wing loading generally facilitates better performance at lower speeds, which is crucial for training aircraft like the Cessna 152. This is why understanding wing loading is important for pilots, as it impacts how the aircraft behaves in various flight conditions.