Aeronca 11 Chief
Aeronca · United States · first flew 1946 · light aircraft
The Aeronca 11 Chief is a light two-seat high-wing monoplane produced by Aeronca Aircraft Corporation after World War II, offering side-by-side seating and gentle flying characteristics for personal and training use. It was part of the postwar boom in American light aviation.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Tandem or side-by-side seating in a simple fabric-covered fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Side-by-side two-seat high-wing light aircraft
- Classic postwar American light plane with fabric covering
- Tandem or side-by-side seating in a simple fabric-covered fuselage
A high-wing monoplane with a fabric-covered fuselage, side-by-side seating in a wide cockpit, a small horizontal-cylinder engine, and fixed tailwheel undercarriage; very similar in appearance to the Aeronca Champion but wider in cabin.
Specifications
- The Aeronca 11 Chief has a length of 6.4 m (21 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.7 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 170 km/h (106 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (side-by-side).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Model 11 Chief entered production in 1946 as Aeronca sought to capitalise on the postwar general aviation boom and the anticipated demand from returning veterans seeking to learn to fly. It shared many components with the tandem Aeronca 7 Champion and was built in substantial numbers before the boom subsided.
Variants
The Chief 11AC was the standard version; minor variants included seaplane conversions with floats; some were built with slightly different engine options.
Where you'll see it
Used by private pilots and flying clubs across the United States and exported in smaller numbers; a classic of the postwar light aviation era.
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