Command-Aire 3C3
Command-Aire · United States · first flew 1928 · light aircraft
The Command-Aire 3C3 was a three-seat open-cockpit biplane used for utility flying, training and touring in the late 1920s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.47 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Open-cockpit single-bay biplane with equal-span wings
- Two large, nearly full-span slotted ailerons on the lower wing
- Powered by a Curtiss OX-5 water-cooled V-8 engine
It resembles other OX-5 biplanes of the time but is distinguished by the large, slotted, nearly full-span ailerons on the lower wing only.
Specifications
- The Command-Aire 3C3 has a length of 7.47 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.6 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 161 km/h (100 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Morton Cronk drew up the basic design and Albert Vollmecke reworked it for certification. It first flew in January 1928 and was certified in July of that year.
Variants
The 3C3 was followed by the similar 4C3 and 5C3. Total production of the 3C3, 4C3, 5C3, BS-14 and BS-16 was between 184 and 254.
Where you'll see it
The Curtiss Flying Service was the main user. Its slotted ailerons gave lateral control even after a stall, which the maker used in its advertising.
Related aircraft
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