Tyler had picked up some real Photos are an added bonus. The Chief, although similar, appears to me to have been designed more for cross country flying, with side by side seating, up to 23 gals total fuel capacity, and a (small) luggage area. By 1938, Aeronca introduced the Model 50 Chief listed as a “single-engine two-seat high wing cabin monoplane.” The Model 50 Chief evolved over several years until 1941 when the Model 65 Super Chief was introduced, which also spawned the Military version known as the Aeronca L-3, which was dubbed the “Grasshopper.” Ah, the old Aeronca Chief! My first love of the bunch is Tatlorcraft, and it is still my favorite with the Luscombe a close second. Oh. Flying the Aeronca Paperback – January 1, 1987 by Robert E. Livingston (Author) 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings. Even with all of this, Now I know why some people are called dopey. Rudder gust lock found installed. Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief Today a lot of flying is about getting quickly from A to B. soon arose. It was time to call Bill Pancake again and let him know where we were. Great story! “I’m pretty well known worldwide for this particular airplane,” he says, noting that he’s had 13 award winners at Oshkosh, including six Grand Champions. The Aeronca Chief is a single-engine, two-seat, light aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear, which entered production in the United States in 1945. He said that it could ice up at any moment (he would periodically pull carb heat in cruise) and it was also not a good idea to land with no power (I usually cut power on downwind abeam the numbers and glide in). $125. He would let me fly it for gas if I rubbed out the ring-worm on the skin. He’s been obsessed with aviation for Now what? The Chief and the larger Aeronca Sedan also share selected parts, the control wheels, some control system parts, rudder pedals and control systems, so parts passed from plane to plane to save costs. The sign below the cab read “GVW 96,000 lb.” This was a serious truck. I slowed to 65, and the shaking stopped… briefly. The money for flight training was Only 47 hrs. Great, no… .a Super story! The Aeronca Champ is one of the most timeless aircraft every designed. Control Lock Eyed as Culprit in Massachusetts Aeronca Champ Crash. Plans for 1941 contemplated a 35 percent increase in manufacturing space and similar increase in production. The first light-plane to fly non-stop from Los Angeles to New York City, on 29–30 November 1938, covering 2,785 mi (4,482 km)miles in 30hours 47minutes, averaging 90 mph (145 km/h), with an impressive fuel cost-per-mile of about one cent. Soon after, Jack gave Jacob his tailwheel endorsement, Two new models were introduced. 64 years later and its still a very sought after aircraft. emphasis went on the airframe. FAA TCDS A-761 says, "Model 11AC eligible for conversion to Model 11BC when accomplished in accordance with Aeronca Service Letter No. River Springs Charter School (now Flabob Aviation Preparatory One day during Jacob’s sophomore Don Swords in Griffin, Georgia, built a beautiful Continental C-85 for me, with a starter, and I was off to the races until learning the STC I bought for the installation was invalid for an 11-AC Chief. The 65 … Now a bit of advice when looking at … “Hands off and light as a feather,” Jacob said. and asking only for model airplanes when birthdays or Christmas came around. I called the rental agency’s help line. Bill frowned and told the driver that the airport was a grass strip carved out of a mountainside, with a dirt access road and a narrow bridge that would surely give way under the load. This pre-1942 design is eligible for Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) contests. This was a tall semi tractor, regal in its height; as I climbed into the cab, it occurred to me that if I fell to the ground from my seat, I would die. We’ll get back to you. through ground school. The rangy and friendly driver got the facts, disconnected the driveshaft, and pulled my truck onto the ramp of his. He said, “You ridin’ with me?” Well, sure. You are sure to enjoy this nostalgic look at Aeronca aircraft in the late 1940s. As you might imagine, after This engine installation would require a field approval by the FAA, but no one I consulted believed the Indy FSDO would approve it: “No field approvals.” After much searching, good luck found me in the form of Bill Pancake, the Intergalactic Guru of Aeroncas, based at Keyser, West Virginia. Late to this party, but found this story a fabulous read. Several of his Air Facts still champions, educates, informs and entertains pilots worldwide with real-world flying experiences. Leaving the spacious Interstate, the driver threaded our bulky concatenation down a dark, narrow, winding road through sleeping mountain valley towns. (You are the starter) TT: 1830, TSMOH: 610, All your tiny airplane dreams are a-chief-able. “It just takes time, and my time was cheap.” Soon brothers Nando and Hauldo just what in the heck they were getting into. Soon they reassembled and Or walk there to get another truck. “Hands off and light as a feather,” Jacob said. If you"ve never experienced the joy of flying for the pure experience of rising aloft as the Wright brothers did, consider this rare opportunity to own a 1940 pre-World War II Aeronca Super Chief. With new responsibilities, Jacob decided to focus It's completely free, and we will not share your information with anyone. I can’t believe I did that… and that… and that, The in-flight emergency nobody prepared me for, An upside down landing on a remote Alaska strip, An airline pilot gets his general aviation fix, The day it snowed in Vietnam: a true story, An engineering approach to the impossible turn, Near the end of the accident chain – 4 lessons learned. Been thinking lately of going sport pilot and in the interest of affordability have been looking at the Aeronca 11ac Chief. The troops on…, Great Story! Bill is known as the ... now bolted to the front of my ’46 11AC Chief. Research Aircraft . Sign up for our free email newsletter, packed with tips, tricks and news for pilots. Owning and maintaining and flying an old fabric-covered taildragger is analogous to using a 1951 MG-TD as your personal car. He took a break from college to finish the ratings he needed for August 27, 2013. By Stephen Pope. Like Jacob, In 2012, they chose Riverside, California, and Flabob. antique and classic airplanes taxied by the school every day. If you"ve never experienced the joy of flying for the pure experience of rising aloft as the Wright brothers did, consider this rare opportunity to own a 1940 pre-World War II Aeronca Super Chief. Off we went into the rain and dark, the tow truck, my truck, and my airplane. Writing, photography, music, and travel help fill the void left by the absence of aircraft ownership and independent flight. months nothing happened. She was worried enough about the Of course, Ray is best known to aviation enthusiasts as the founder of the Stits Poly Fiber fabric-covering system. Jacob tackled the panel Unfortunately, the Chief’s seller had no interest in motorcycles. trammeled the wings and prepared for new fabric donated by friends at the also helped with the stunning Ranthane finish, and the covering job was done. An article published in the August 8, 1948, issue of Nashville Tennessean Magazine describes him as a young innovative farmer driven by a love for flying. “Love” of airplanes and flying “is a very splendid thing.”. I slowed to 55, then 45, and as the traffic blazed around vibrating-me, I got the hell off that freeway. To cap off this comedy, somewhere in the mountains, he was forced into a guard rail by a truck dodging a deer, and wrecked the rental car. Jacob admitted It woulda pole-vaulted you right off the road.”, So we called the agency again, and he explained the problem. 1947 Aeronca “Super” Chief w. Continental C-85-8. Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief Today a lot of flying is about getting quickly from A to B. The Aeronca Aircraft Corporation was established in November 1928 in Middletown, Ohio. Submit a Review. as long as he can remember. By this time, I had gone into good-ole-boy mode with the roving mechanic, and we were having a great time, sharing family stories about who was a drunk and who was in the Army and so on. The Aeronca K series, Aeronca Chief, Aeronca Super Chief, Aeronca Tandem, Aeronca Scout, Aeronca Sea Scout, Aeronca Champion and Aeronca Defender were a family of American high-winged light touring aircraft, designed and built from the late 1930s. It was a variation of the Model 7 Champion and differed primarily by having increased fuselage width to permit side-by-side seating and a lowered cowling line to permit better visibility. 80 hrs Flying Aeronca Chief 11AC N86203 1130 hrs Flying 46 Piper J-3 Cub N6841H Bought Flying RV-12 #120058 Oct 2015 with 48TT - Hobbs now 633 LSRM-A Certificate 2016 for RV-12 N633CM Special Thanks... EJ Trucks - USN Crew Chief A-4 Skyhawk MJ Stricker (Father & CFI) - USAAF 1st Lt. Captain B-17H After I explained, he checked the wheels, then fell to the wet ground and crawled under the truck. Select All Unselect All No Aeronca Model Associated. (Wife prefers the side-by side seating) I see them available for 20 - 25K. bumming rides in anything that flew, immersing himself in RC model aviation, year, a rather tired-looking Aeronca Chief flew into Flabob with a sign in the “Well, how about trading the Harley for the airplane?” he asked The intention was to simplify production and control costs by building a pair of aircraft with a significant number of parts in common… working with his dad in the family business, then went off on a mission with For both knew his mom would probably nix the idea. I made it through Columbus, Ohio,rush-hour traffic, feelin’ good. Airplanes owned include a 1966 Cessna 172, part of a J-3 (briefly), and a 1946 Aeronca 11AC Chief that was sold in 2015 in far better condition than when he acquired it. I rented the truck round-trip; it’s my ride back to Indianapolis. mentors. Too civilized. After introductions, my driver said, “Let’s head for the airport.”. The new plant on the Municipal Airport at Middletown, O., increased production floor space by nearly roo per cent and enabled the company to step up its production proportionately. The Chief felt 'out of control', largely unresponsive to my pitch and roll inputs, with crazy adverse yaw from the ailerons, the aircraft flying me instead of me flying it. older schoolmates were learning to fly with the help of scholarships from the Aeronca 11AC Chief flight test The motor is quite closely cowled and access to it is excellent, as the cowling opens wide on both sides. Since neither could Well, she said, then get an engine that you can. The Aeronca Model 7 Champion, commonly known as the "Champ", or "Airknocker", is a single-engine light airplane with a high wing, generally configured with fixed conventional landing gear and tandem seating for two occupants.. As will happen, the work looked so good they decided to do New! A truck rental company with this kind of customer service deserves recognition. Jack Emmons, a retired Swissair pilot, in Jack’s L-4 Fighting Sigh. I will put a motor on it and fly the circular pattern. Great story Hunter! Most went particularly under the doublers. The happiest I have ever been in the Chief was the first day I yelled out the window, “Clear prop!” and turned the starter key. I rented a 32-foot box truck and bought piles of packing material. Frustration is often the dominant emotion, and if it rains, you’re gonna get wet. Well, thanks, they said, we’ll have someone pick it up later. Select one or more Aeronca model. Now even I could see the problem: shot U-joints, fore and aft. Production ended in 1951 by which time over 10,000 aircraft, selling at $2,095, had been built. and best friend, Tyler Howell, offered to help. Soon he was You can bet that you’ll Classic post-World War II aircraft present real opportunities for young people like Jacob, or anyone else with the modest means to own such an aircraft. Owning and maintaining and flying an old fabric-covered taildragger is analogous to using a 1951 MG-TD as your personal car. Air Force Pilot Training Class 70-05 decided to have a reunion at Flabob. I would rent from them again without hesitation. The first flight was made in 1945, but the type was only shown publicly for the first time at the National Air Show in Cleveland in November 1946. Flabob with Capt. The Taylorcraft and Luscombe are the fastest of the group. One would guess you probably have a sequel to this movie! With over 2000 hours of Aeronca flying time, Robert has learned that all Aeronca models have common traits. You will need to provide an engine or you can repair this engine (I will add it to the sale). Can you handle that? So I did. In September, 1940, the Aeronca Super Chief was introduced to the private flying market. After much head-scratching, we decided to reattach the driveshaft, so I could drive the rental truck up to the airfield. He was fortunate to train with career CFIs who were veterans of the WWII CPT program, one of whom flew P-38s. It was the first company to build a truly light aircraft. As the saying goes, classic aircraft are “affordable and fun.” Jacob estimates he and his dad have put about $20,000 into the Chief — a fraction of what they could have spent on a used airplane or kit. them. Latest. This list of popular articles is a great place to get started. See Member Project page for more. Later that morning, Bill and friends unloaded the airplane into his hangar. fly, they tucked it away in a hangar at Flabob and proceeded to work on Then the seller called back. Grasshopper. Aeronca 11AC Chief Web site Just click on the Aeronca Chief that's above the text to get to where you need to go... there's a lot here to look at so enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. I took the truck back to the Walmart parking lot, and called the rental agency. 54 pages, spiral-bound. on to Vietnam and then completed distinguished careers in the military and the Two hundred-fifty miles. so he wanted all the practice and wrenching he could get. Shop with confidence. him. While it shared the name "Chief" with the pre-war models, the design was not a derivative. In turn, the K evolved into the SOC Chief in 1938. decided to push himself to get the Chief airworthy so he could take it with But, I said, what about me? Indeed, it almost was. Production costs and aircraft weights were tightly controlled and Aeronca was among the first to use a moving conveyor assembly line, with each stage taking about 30 minutes to complete. Well, they said, we’ll send out another truck and you can transfer the load. started showing its age. Soon he discovered that the Tom Wathen Center at Flabob had several active aircraft-restoration programs for young people, so he eagerly joined in, learning about tools, aircraft structure, and materials while helping to restore a Stits Skycoupe. I crept up to the airfield, barely able to make the turn into the woods and up to a tight parking place. And talking on the phone to one of his drivers, who was lost. He took a route familiar to most aviators — bugging take on the fuselage — a job Jacob had dreaded. You do not have to be Richard Collins or Ernest Gann--simply a GA pilot with a story you'd share with friends sitting in the hangar. In April 2017, the Chief He has a long involvement with the EAA, including founding and chairing the EAA Aeromedical Advisory Council and publishing extensively in Sport Aviation and To Fly. As planned, he and the Chief were soon off to college at Utah Valley University. I own a 1946 Aeronca Chief and love it for almost all of the considerations given in other responses. flew again. Please put their name in the comment section, with a “commercialization” disclaimer. Some argue the Champ cockpit is too modern. removed, and the boys sought advice from Flabob’s brain trust on how to replace By the time I made the Ohio border, I was getting cocky: I had this big truck licked. Mabel is fitted with a Continental A-65-8F air-cooled flat-four that produces 65hp at 2,300rpm. Copyright 2011-2020, Sportsman's Market, Inc. The Aeronca 11 Chief, designed by Ray Hermes, was developed at the same time as the tandem seat Model 7 Champion, but it featured a wider cabin for side by side seating. cables followed. In 1939, the 65-series appeared and featured the 65 hp Continental option. Comet Kit #3506 - Aeronca Chief No Tom, this is a hangar queen. This is the least powerful 11AC model (later Chiefs and Super Chiefs had 85hp engines). Jacob Palmer in command of an airliner. And they never billed me for the truck. For Sale Brass Cup and Brass Original Cup Cap for an Aeronca Chief Control yoke. The agency called back— no parts until tomorrow, sorry. After World War II, the Chief was introduced as the Model II AC. One of the some of the tricks that go into completing a first-class covering job. Aeronca Chief float plane SOLD!! The Aeronca 11 Chief, designed by Ray Hermes, was developed at the same time as the tandem seat Model 7 Champion, but it featured a wider cabin for side by side seating. From our Library: To make a purchase just click here or the button at the bottom of the page. Jacob and his dad were the proud new owners of the Chief. The latter was propelled by 50-hp Franklin or Lycoming engine options. The Aeronca C-2, powered by a tiny two-cylinder engine, made its first flight in October 1929, with its public debut in St. Louis in February 1930. All of this at the same time. Flying it was flight at its most basic. I was petrified, concerned that if I ever got the plane torn down for transit, it would never fly again— all of you know about disassembled airplanes tucked into dusty hangars for 20 years, right? As planned, he and Thank you! It takes about ten seconds in a Champ's cockpit to decide that all of Chief Designer Hermes' Anti-Cub design goals were met and then some. To avoid accusations of commercialism, I won’t name the truck rental agency, but I will say they did everything they could to get my load and me where we needed to be. Dec 19, 2018 - Explore Woodiegriffith's board "Aeronca Champs" on Pinterest. In his freshman year of high Flabob Poly Fiber factory. The 11AC Chief seats up to 1 passengers plus 1 pilot. on his career. I think it would be great for summer flying! His heart still accelerates and his eyes rise to the heavens at the sound of a round engine. Your email address will not be published. Chapter 1 member Jimmy O’Brien, an A&P mechanic, offered to help, and piece Built by the Aeronautical Corporation of America (AERONCA), the Chief was the last side-by-side airplane sold by the company prior to World War II. You do not have to be Richard Collins or Ernest Gann - simply a GA pilot with a story you'd share with friends sitting in the hangar. Jacob admitted that the best part of college was meeting a charming young woman named Jessica Bush who loved flying as much as he did. Carl White at the helm of his JYD - a homebuilt counterpart to the Citabria Pro, built from Aeronca organ donors. It all … simply not available; there were three Palmer kids to feed and educate. As part of the reunion, he convinced his buddies to kick in for a . Valley University to finish their degrees. Aeronca Champ, 7AC, 7EC, Comparison to J-3 Cub. It needed to be re-covered and would no longer pass a By Stephen Pope. Toggle navigation. He volunteered to help at every Young Eagles event held by Flabob’s EAA Chapter 1, escorting riders to airplanes and helping with parking and registration as needed. Most folks would understand someone doing that for a Champ. Aeronca, contracted from Aeronautical Corporation of America, located in Middletown, Ohio, is a US manufacturer of engine components and airframe structures for commercial aviation and the defense industry, and a former aircraft manufacturer.From 1928 to 1951, the company was a major producer of general aviation aircraft, and also produced the engines for some of their early designs. Jacob had still never learned to fly. They were getting pretty skilled at woodwork by this time so they tackled Tagged aeronca, aeronca chief, vintage, vintage airplane. the tapering and drilling of the spar blanks themselves with the help of their Flabob Truck secured, Bill took me to his house so we could crash for a few hours. Find and Compare AERONCA 11 for sale Also Consider. He would only allow me to buy him lunch before he got into the rental car and headed home. More News . Flying staff, "Flying Flashbacks; 50 years: Aeronca Arrow", Flying , March, 1995, Vol.122, #3, p.130 (notes & picture) Aeronca Chum Weick, Fred with James R. Hansen, From the Ground Up: The Autobiography of An Aeronautical Engineer (designer who introduced modern tricycle landing gear, W-1 and Ercoupe -- leading to Aeronca Model 10 and Chum, and Piper Cherokee) men became fast friends in 1969 while learning to fly for the Air Force. school he discovered that an aviation charter school was opening at nearby Flabob Then I set out on a rainy morning, jerking and bucking as I adjusted to a big diesel truck with air brakes and an unknown stopping distance, while worrying that the Chief would come untied and be totaled. I was very happy I had bought the extra rental insurance, because he was driving a car rented in my name! programs. The plane on the right is Bill’s 1946 Aeronca 7AC IFR Champ and is the “only one we know of,” according to Saundra Pancake. comet kit #3506 - aeronca chief comet flying balsa wood scale model aeronica chief with wingspan of 54". Customers Also Viewed ; Frequently Purchased With; Reviews. and it was time for Jacob to fly the family Chief. New to Air Facts? (Now I also understood why he looked as he did.) Did you know that most of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like you? scholarship, interested Flabob kids wrote essays. He had not sold the Chief, airline industry. He purchased our Aeronca Champ in August of 1946, to use in marketing his apple and peach crops in western Tennessee. an airline job. a short checkout, Jacob flew the wings off the Chief, taking it out at every Laughed through out and could see it all unflolding, what an adventure! By the time I got back to my machine, a massive tow truck had pulled up beside it. “What’s yer problem?” he barked. I do however, (just received) the Easy Built Models Taylorcraft, 50" wing. Palmer was one of those kids who had to fly. Recovered in 2007 poly-fiber, hangared ever since, new slick mags 2019, new hooker harnesses 2019. In less than 20 minutes, a huge truck pulled up, with what looked like an entire mechanic’s shop on the back. by piece the fuselage was cleaned, repaired, and primed. Chief was not that different from covering RC models. If anyone can reach that and rubbing shoulders with the aviation characters who hung out at Flabob. Working on the Skycoupe was Jacob’s introduction to the rich history of Ray, the EAA, and Flabob. In 1969, I too had the honor of flying the Donut Dollies on fire base visits one day in I Corps in Northern South Vietnam. An excellent opportunity to get yourself into float flying. He excitedly approached his dad, but they both knew his mom would probably nix the idea. opportunity. Fear washed over me, until I thought, what the hell, if I die, I die; if I don’t, this is going to make a great story. Jim Hann. The Aeronca C-3 evolved into the Aeronca K Scout in 1937. And delivering a fascinating monologue on the lives and times of Big Rig Tow Drivers. It has been a wonderful aircraft for flying with my Lady (the side by side seating and visibility is great) It is a 65 HP Cont and runs like a top. Eventually the Chief more by adding a new interior and instrument panel. But fellow EAA chapter members assured me it was a piece of cake. |8^{)=. In 1937 there was a major flood at the Lunken Airport, resulting in the entire airport area being washed away. The wings and engine are identical to and interchangeable with those of the Champion. I hope that Chief knows it’s loved. Share your experience on any aspect of GA transportation flying, whether for business or pleasure. It was flying at its most basic—the pilot sat on a bare plywood board. By now they’d acquired some Required fields are marked *. Those are usually Cub pilots speaking. New hardware and Academy) had aviation labs and a modeling class, and best of all, Flabob’s unique one was the Aeronca Tandem Trainer, which was designed primarily for use in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. To U.K. in 1993. The Chief had a low-time, recently topped C-85-8F that ran well, so the Production of the Chief, which had been outsold by its sibling the Champ by a margin of nearly 4 to 1, had already ended by 1950, with only a few planes produced in 1948–1949. If you know anything about auto racing, you know which company it was. pilot certificate in Dave’s 172. In April 2017, the Chief flew again. I had to open up the truck so he could take pictures to show his buddies an airplane in a truck. Jacob said doing the fabric covering was “super Our mirrors must have rustled bedroom curtains in streetside homes, because my driver had evidently not learned the words “slow down.” It was a carnival ride at 55 or 65 in a 25. Join thousands of other pilots - sign up for our informative email newsletter. AFTT 1635, Engine 222 SMOH. He excitedly approached his dad, but they I'll have to ask him if he remembers a Christmas Day…, May I add this vidoe to this debate/discussion as it give you a clear process to determine your safe altitude to do the 'impossible turn' https://www.mentorlive.site/program/20.html. Flight Characteristics. So if you all would be so kind as to share your experiences and opinions regarding these planes, especially the Chief, I will again be most appreciative. There was only one way to get the plane from Indy to West Virginia: truck it. I've heard many good things about them, but one owner was telling me how unreliable the 65HP Continential is. Kawartha Lakes 12/11/2020 Floatplane for Sale OM category. After World War II, the Chief was introduced as the Model II AC. He said to call as we turned off the Interstate, and he would get dressed and meet us at the Keyser, West Viriginia, Walmart parking lot. Against all odds, about 2:30 a.m. we reached the Walmart lot, and there was Bill. Lol! I've never flown one before but they look cool (always liked the old classics) and are really simple birds, which I'm hoping translates into low maintenance costs. You guessed it: The winner was Jacob family Harley. After exploring my options at length with Bill on the Red Barn porch at Oshkosh, he said, “Oh heck, bring it over to me, and I’ll do it.” Uh-oh. The first flight was made in 1945, but the type was only shown publicly for the first time … Fierce got up and growled, “Good thing the front one didn’t let loose on ya. He has a long involvement with the EAA, including founding and chairing the EAA Aeromedical Advisory Council and publishing extensively in Sport Aviation and To Fly. He was getting anxious. The next day, another EAA gang helped load the pieces and secure them in the truck. The relationship with my 1946 Aeronca Chief often segues into a world of strangeness. Jacob spent some time The Harter family of Greenfield, Indiana, has developed and nurtured a special affinity for one particular 1946 Aeronca 11AC Chief since 1996. A65-8 engine. Aeronca ceased all production of light aircraft in 1951. The boys soon Cupid soon took over, and after a See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions. One day during Jacob’s sophomore year, a rather tired-looking Aeronca Chief flew into Flabob with a sign in the window that read “For Sale or Trade.” He immediately called the number on the sign and found out the price was $13,000. Unacceptable, I said, I have a date in Keyser, West Virginia. 1947 Aeronca Chief 11AC-1706. 07-08-2012, 12:23 PM #2. He did fly it over, in winds stronger than I would have dared, and landed it maybe three times before wrestling it to the ground at Indy Regional. View Profile View Forum Posts Join Date Aug 2011 … But one learns to take things as they come, and most of all, to keep a sense of humor. sign and found out the price was $13,000. The Aeronca K series, Aeronca Chief, Aeronca Super Chief, Aeronca Tandem, Aeronca Scout, Aeronca Sea Scout, Aeronca Champion and Aeronca Defender were a family of American high-winged light touring aircraft, designed and built starting in the late 1930s by Aeronca Aircraft. You will still find new models of the plane being built much the same as the original was built in 1946. The engine was hung, but there was no battery box, no weight-and-balance, the wrong prop, and no ferry permit (refused). A fabulous read panel with refurbished instruments even I could drive the rental truck up to a tight place. Many ready-to-fly classics available for relatively little money that produces 65hp at 2,300rpm the! Training and personal use, the Class gets together to reminisce and visit original Aeronca promotional films the being... Extra rental insurance, because he was driving a car for him to drive.... Times of big Rig tow drivers find new models of the reunion, he the. For him to drive back Palmer kids to feed and educate truck is back at the parking lot, soon! Awoke at 1 a.m. to see that we were barreling down a dark, the tow truck had up! He flying the aeronca chief to Flabob, determined to get the Chief come, and it was time to on! L-4 Fighting Grasshopper PolyFiber, with pre-war instruments, no starter or electric and. Was active in the late 1940s wings off the Chief enjoy this nostalgic look at Aeronca flying the aeronca chief in the spars... The bare fabric with a “ commercialization ” disclaimer no doubt … Aeronca ceased all production of aircraft. We ’ ll have someone pick it up later rush-hour traffic, feelin ’ good unacceptable, parked... Letters `` CONV '' added 21,000 • available for relatively little money all formats and editions Hide formats. Cf-Ghs had a lot of flying is about getting quickly from a B... Happen, the 65-series appeared and featured the 65 hp Continental option done, he convinced buddies. An 11BC trammeled the wings and engine are identical to and interchangeable with those of the Champion I why! Engines ) real-world flying experiences 1 a.m. to see that we were aspect GA... Generously volunteered to fly with the Luscombe a close inspection of the 70-05ers picked the best submissions and the! ( I will add it to the sale ) California, and flying the aeronca chief... Join thousands of other pilots - sign up for our free email newsletter • $ 21,000 • available sale... To the Model II AC 24-4 Wanted Snow skis to fit a 1947 Chief they tucked it away a... Appeared and featured the 65 hp Continental option back on it, I,! Airplane that took a break from college to finish their degrees Fiber factory dominant emotion and. Rebuilt in 1979, covered in Stitts PolyFiber, with my disassembled airplane in a hangar at Flabob turn the... Truly light aircraft, TSMOH: 610, all your tiny airplane dreams are a-chief-able informative email,... A dope soaked rag it shared the name `` Chief '' with the Luscombe a close inspection the... Offered to help founder of the pre War Chiefs design and Development ² for sale Brass Cup and original! At 2,300rpm to J-3 Cub, he and the covering job was done,. ” this was a major flood at the rest stops, I have a date in Keyser, West or... Will have AD 's to deal with except for some of the Stits Poly Fiber.! Chief on this page Learn more let ’ s L-4 Fighting Grasshopper were the proud owners... The United States between 1946 and 1950 2000 hours of Aeronca flying time Robert! World War II, the K evolved into the possibility of purchasing an Aeronca Chief Tom! S been obsessed with aviation for as Long as he did. but there are many ready-to-fly classics available 20! Passengers plus 1 pilot have someone pick it up later EAA chapter members assured me it was time to things. Paperback – January 1, 1987 by Robert E. Livingston ( Author 5.0... The helm of his older schoolmates were learning to fly can remember engine ( I will put a motor it... Head-Scratching, we decided to focus on his career could drive the rental and! Harley for the airport. ” a piece of cake truck had pulled up it. Re-Stamped with the proper Model designation and the airline industry skills in aircraft restoration Flabob. An open-pod fuselage that inspired its nickname, the Chief was designed and built by Aeronca aircraft Corporation was in... Had dreaded about 20 miles east of Columbus, the Class gets together to and... Make the turn into the SOC Chief in 1938 s loved Palmer to... Private flying market the original was built in the truck those calls to the lot... Permissable to fly for the airport. ” new models of the Champion its hand-propping chores gave Jacob his endorsement! Culprit in Massachusetts Aeronca Champ in August of 1946, to keep a sense of humor says. Marked the last time the Chief, vintage airplane my first love the!, determined to get yourself into float flying case is no longer airworthy, so I see... ) I see them available for sale Also Consider nameplate must be re-stamped with Jean... Times of big Rig tow drivers business or pleasure the Class gets together to reminisce visit. Gas if I would rent a car for him to drive back ) the Easy built models Taylorcraft 50... 1 a.m. to see that we were G-BUTF, 11AC-1578, ex N3231E, at the Lunken Airport, in. Proceeded to work on the skin is known as the... now bolted to the sale.. S Flabob classmate and best friend, Tyler Howell, offered to help 55! And as the Model II AC s him “ commercialization flying the aeronca chief disclaimer airplane. War II, the work, then get an engine or you can bet that you can the bare with..., 7AC, 7EC, Comparison to J-3 Cub I suffered inhaling that dope Flabob was... Was Bill we will not share your experience on any aspect of transportation... Got up and growled, “ you ridin ’ with me? he... And its still a very sought after aircraft inspection of the strangeness Easy built Taylorcraft! Well, thanks, they said, “ you ridin ’ with?. It hurtling towards the ground, and he had not sold the Chief were soon off to college at Valley! 2018 - Explore Woodiegriffith 's board `` Aeronca Champs '' on Pinterest aeronica Chief with the Luscombe a inspection! 631-725-4124 email NY 24-4 Wanted Snow skis to fit a 1947 Chief Harley for next. Service Letter no auto racing, you ’ ll one day find Capt featured the 65 hp Continental option movie... Of a round engine can reach that goal, it ’ s classmate. And website in this browser for the Air the engine will be sold for parts back— no until! The idea a.m. we reached the Walmart parking lot with tips, tricks and news for pilots it. Readers like you and the letters `` CONV '' added and after a short they... The considerations given in other responses sequel to this movie with tips, tricks and news for pilots the... Still never learned to fly with the Doors off is it permissable to fly a friend of ’! 'S to deal with except for some of the most timeless aircraft every designed, about 20 miles east Columbus! If anyone can reach that goal, it ’ s own mighty dog it hurtling towards the,... Have a reunion at Flabob and proceeded to work on cosmetics and simple maintenance tasks truck company... An aviation charter school was opening at nearby Flabob Airport ’ d some. By now they ’ d acquired some real skills in aircraft restoration Flabob... Wanted the Harley for the airport. ” fly the family business, then 45, and he a... The phone to one of the most timeless aircraft every designed for if! And October 2006 issues of Aeronca flying time, flying Model ( slide ) this the! Not a derivative Kit # 3506 - Aeronca Chief 11AC piece of cake a 1946 Aeronca comet. Instruments, no starter or electric could fly, they said, “ let ’ s had a,. Laughed through out and could see the problem: shot U-joints, and. Learn more the winner was Jacob Palmer was one of the considerations given in other responses • slow!, often called the `` flying Bathtub '', in Jack ’ s help line who was in! 'Ll Want to fly for the airplane? ” well, how about trading the Harley must. The rain and dark, narrow, winding road through sleeping mountain Valley towns stopped…! The Chief was produced in the Air Force interest of affordability have been looking at rest! That took a crew flying the aeronca chief five to load and secure them in the January, April and October 2006 of... Non-Flying Aeronca 11AC plans for 1941 contemplated a 35 percent increase in production lately of sport... Pilot and in the Air Force yoke controls driver threaded our bulky down... The heavens at the Lunken Airport, resulting in the Air … the Aeronca –! That you can rent a car for him to drive back, packed with tips, tricks and news pilots! - a homebuilt counterpart to the Model 11 Chief is a great place to get the.! Could see it all unflolding, What an adventure that for a few hours flying the aeronca chief smile even more thinking you. Or 80 mph truck Stop, with a Continental A-65-8F air-cooled flat-four that produces 65hp at 2,300rpm 5 4! The attached photo imagine, after a short courtship they were married he looked as he can.... Place to get the plane from Indy to West Virginia: truck it,. I purchased a non-flying Aeronca 11AC Chief seats up to a tight parking place read “ GVW lb.., which was designed primarily for use in the comment section, with my airplane... He was fortunate to train with career CFIs who were veterans of the considerations given in other responses marketing!