The recent stretch of beautiful weather stirred the restorer and me with a longing to fly. But instead of taking to the skies, we spent the day moving my mom’s Aeronca Chief into our hangar and wrapping up the final details of the Cub’s annual inspection—new tires included.
By the time we had a free day, the winds had picked up, making it unsuitable for a small plane like our Cub to venture out.
Life often works out that way—frustrating, but beyond our control.
All we can do is focus on what we can change or move forward with in the meantime.
Planning the Chief’s Revival
With the Chief now in our hangar, thoughts turned to how we could move forward with its restoration. Sorting through the parts and pieces, we noticed the green interior panels and window trim, sparking a question: was green the original factory color?
It seems possible, but verification is still necessary.
An Aeronca friend of ours mentioned that FAA aircraft records sometimes include original factory color information. The National Aeronca Association also provides its members with access to factory data, including original paint schemes. These resources gave us an immediate research task—and a sense of momentum.
The conversation drifted to parts still needed for the Chief and our friend’s Aeronca projects. Though I only caught fragments of their discussion, the restorer and our friend seemed energized by their shared ideas. By nightfall, as we closed the hangar doors, the crisp air reminded us that fall is fleeting and winter is fast approaching.
Preparing for Winter
Having all our personal projects in one place feels like a huge step. But with colder weather on the horizon, we need a plan to keep making progress through the winter months.
It doesn’t have to be perfect—just the next step or two.
I couldn’t help but wonder about the challenges my mom and her friends faced when they started restoring the Chief. Conversations with my uncle revealed that the plane originally came home in laundry baskets and wings. One of my mom’s Civil Air Patrol friends recalled working on the Chief in her parents’ basement, and later in the garage.
My cousins, as kids, remember playing around the airplane as it came together piece by piece.
My dad, ever quiet about the project, left his mark with a signature in the logbook for a ferry flight and appeared in a photo alongside the wings during transport to the airport. It’s incredible to think of the Chief’s journey—same airframe, yet undergoing a completely different restoration now.
Inspiration and Progress
As I stared at the calendar this morning, inspiration struck in the form of a stunning 1946 Aeronca Chief. Captured by Brittany Elise of Blackbriar Photography, the airplane’s green and cream paint scheme felt both familiar and classic.
While my mom’s Chief will likely have its own unique look, I wouldn’t be surprised if it echoes elements of that beautifully restored plane.
Reflecting on this project connects us to the past and inspires the future, reminding us that progress comes one step—or one flight—at a time.
For now, we’ll keep moving forward—researching, planning, and tackling the small steps that bring us closer to the day we can see my mom’s Chief in the air again.
Interested in Brittany Elise’s photography? Order her calendar here.
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