I believe at least one of the 150hp STCs for the Cessna 150 ups the max gross to 1670 lbs, but still results in a lower useful load than stock when you factor in the added weight of the O-360.

I own a 150M with an O-200A. I also only weigh 150, so the plane is perfect for me for all applications. I can take a 200 lb passenger and full fuel, but no baggage. I've flown twice to Clinton, IA for the 150/152 fly-in each July, and this year I had camping gear, my luggage, my guitar, towbar, flight bag, console caddy in the seat to hold my kneeboard & bottled waters, full fuel, and was still 100 lbs under the stock max gross of 1600. It's great for pretty much any camping under the wing I want to do in Southern Indiana or Kentucky

BUT

Density altitude. Enough said.

If you're in mountainous terrain or high elevation, don't even look at the Cessna 150 unless you have 180 hp under the cowl. I know of only one that's used that application. Based in Roosevelt, Utah, It has an O-360 and Flint tip tanks. The owner flies it to Iowa each year for the fly-in.

I own a 150/150 and fly from an airport elevation of 3450', just east of the Cascade mountains. The STC for our conversion did allow for an increase in gross to 1760lb. I don't remember the exact specs on the prop, but it's good blend of climb and cruise. First, climb performance is good, even on warm days. I don't think it's exceptional by any means, perhaps it's because I watch the Epic LTs launch out of here like they were shot out of cannons. With 360-380lbs in the two seats, 600-800 ft/min is not unreasonable on a 70°F day. 1000 ft/min easy near sea level. Speed is about what you'd expect from a 172. I pull it back to roughly 2100 RPM and lean aggressively to save a bit on fuel as 7.5-8GPH with 22.5 gal usable doesn't allow for much endurance. We flight plan for 2-1/2 hours, which I find terrible if I want to go anywhere. I have yet to be over gross with the STC'd increase, however, I haven't carried much behind the seats either. I earned my instrument ticket in it and am almost finished with my commercial. While I find it fun to fly and a somewhat nimble, I yearn for something more capable. More space, speed, endurance, one out of the three...

contactflying wrote:I found 150 hp Tri-Pacers to be the best mountains flying trainers at Gallup New Mexico. The tailwheels were mostly 135 hp then and more expensive. The CAP 172 and pipeline 172s and 150 hp 152s didn't do as well, but adequate.Colts and 135 hp Tri-Pacers worked fine with two people. My students took all of them off airport.

Is Shelly's Cottages still in business in Lyons? I lived there building Boulder CC and Fairway Livings in 1963 and soloed the Kensair 90 hp SuperCub at Jeffco that had been ground looped and rebuilt seven times.

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately Shelly's is no more I watched most of it get washed away during the 2013 flood. The owner's were unable to get insurance money and to this day the remaining buildings on the lot are vacant.

Thanks for the pictures. It was a really nice place with a fat and ornery raccoon and a German shepherd that loved to fetch cans. The coon begged and then gave you what for after consuming the groceries.

Not sure if you are still on the fence, but the fella i bought my tail wheel pacer from bought a 150/150. And instantly regretted it. He is a bit heavier than you and I and didn’t like the lack of climb.

I can’t say first person on the Cessna, but i really like my pacer. It has plenty of power, climbs like a rocket (climb prop though) seats two and has a lot of room for stuff. I don’t consider it a worthy four person aircraft.

Granted I am flying at sea level here. But i did get my tailwheel in CO and felt it performed quite well also!!