The story
Aeronca put a 65 hp Continental A-65 in the Chief and called it the 65C. The 65CA Super Chief added more fuel, deluxe touches and an entry door on each side of the cabin. Lycoming-powered 65LA and 65LB versions followed. Aerofiles' production counts for the four versions add up to 1,220, and after the war Aeronca replaced it with the all-new 11AC Chief, which shared none of its parts.
When the US went to war, the Army impressed civilian Super Chiefs: 19 Continental-powered ones became L-3Fs and four Lycoming-powered ones became L-3Gs.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Aeronca 65 Chief?
High wing on V-struts running down to the gear, side-by-side cabin, fully cowled flat-four, tailwheel with faired triangular gear legs. A 65CA can show a door on both sides of the cabin. Tandem Aeroncas and Cubs seat one behind the other; the Chief seats two abreast, so the cabin looks wider and the windows sit side by side under the wing.
What does a Aeronca 65 Chief sound like?
A steady 65 hp flat-four hum, a notch busier than the 50 Chief.
How fast is the Aeronca 65 Chief?
Top speed is 91 kts (105 mph) (65C).
How many passengers does the Aeronca 65 Chief carry?
Up to 1. A typical layout is Two seats side by side.
How far can the Aeronca 65 Chief fly?
Range is about 217 nmi (65C).
How big is the Aeronca 65 Chief?
It is 21 ft 1 in long and 36 ft 0 in across the wings.
When did the Aeronca 65 Chief first fly?
Its first flight was in 1939.
How many Aeronca 65 Chiefs have been built?
1,220 (65C 279, 65CA 655, 65LA 87, 65LB 199) built.
How rare is a Aeronca 65 Chief in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first Aeronca 65 Chief catch is worth 25 points.
