AERONCA CHIEF

AT A GLANCE

NAME: Aeronca Chief

TYPE: Lightweight RC scale

WINGSPAN: 53.7 in.

WING AREA: 375 sq. in.

LENGTH: 30.75 in.

WEIGHT: 15 oz.

WING LOADING: 5.76 oz./sq. ft.

RADIO REQ’D: 4-channel (rudder, elevator, throttle, aileron)

MOTOR: Himax 2812-0850 outrunner brushless (mpihobby.com)

PROP: APC 9 x 6 SlowFly prop (apcprop.com)

First flown in 1945, the Aeronca Model-11 Chief was powered by a 50hp engine. Then in 1946, an all-new Chief made its debut as the Model 11AC, powered by a 65hp engine. With cruise speeds in the 85 to 90mph range, the 11AC had a top speed of 100mph.

The defining feature of the 11AC Chief was that it shared its wings, tail group and cowl with the very successful 7AC Champ, which kept production costs in line amounting to a very reasonably priced cross-country airplane. The major improvement over its earlier predecessor, the Champ, was that it featured side-by-side seating for improved comfort