Aeronca 50 Chief
Aeronca · United States · first flew 1938 · light aircraft
The Aeronca 50 Chief was a prewar two-seat light aircraft produced from 1938, the predecessor to the postwar Model 11 Chief. It offered inexpensive personal flying with side-by-side seating at a time when most light aircraft were tandem-seat.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.25 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Prewar two-seat high-wing light monoplane
- Side-by-side seating in a fabric-covered cabin
- Aeronca 50-series with small horizontally-opposed engine
Very similar to the postwar Aeronca 11 Chief but slightly smaller; the narrow fuselage with a rounded cross-section, high wing, and side-by-side seating are the key identification points.
Specifications
- The Aeronca 50 Chief has a length of 6.25 m (21 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.73 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 162 km/h (101 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (side-by-side).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the earlier Aeronca K series, the Model 50 Chief appeared in 1938 with improved cabin and performance. It sold in reasonable numbers until production was suspended at the outbreak of World War II. The design informed the postwar Model 11 Chief, which revived the side-by-side Chief concept with improvements.
Variants
The 50-C, 50-L, and 50-TC were the principal variants, differing in engine fits including the Continental A-50, Lycoming O-145, and Franklin 4AC.
Where you'll see it
Used by private pilots and flying clubs in the United States in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Related aircraft
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