Aeronca C-2
Aeronca · United States · first flew 1929 · light aircraft
The Aeronca C-2 was one of America's first practical lightweight aircraft, an ultralight single-seat high-wing monoplane powered by a purpose-designed two-cylinder engine. It pioneered affordable personal aviation in the United States at the start of the 1930s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.94 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Ultralight single-seat high-wing monoplane
- Aeronca E-113 two-cylinder engine — one of lightest aircraft engines of its era
- Single open cockpit, strut-braced parasol wing
One of the smallest practical aircraft of its era: a tiny high-wing parasol monoplane with a twin-cylinder engine barely larger than a motorcycle engine, a single open cockpit, and fixed tailwheel undercarriage — fragile-looking but airworthy.
Specifications
- The Aeronca C-2 has a length of 5.94 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.97 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in December 1929, the C-2 used the Aeronca E-113 horizontally opposed two-cylinder engine producing just 26–30 hp, making the aircraft remarkably cheap to operate. It sold well for a Depression-era product, demonstrating that aviation could be accessible beyond wealthy enthusiasts. The C-2N added a three-cylinder engine for modest performance improvement.
Variants
The C-2 was the original single-seater; the C-2N (C-3) added a more powerful engine and a second seat. The C-3 Master was the two-seat tandem development that formed the basis for Aeronca's later successful line.
Where you'll see it
Sold exclusively to civil operators and private owners in the United States; no military service.
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