In the days leading up to this year’s Aeronca fly-in, we heard about the final bits—checking logistics, verifying arrivals, and confirming the small but meaningful details that make a fly-in weekend run smoothly.
It’s funny how things mentioned casually weeks earlier suddenly click into place as the event draws near.
This year’s gathering marked the final convention for our Aeronca friends in their leadership roles with the type club, as they turn their focus to the Aeronca Haven—an incredible passion project preserving the legacy of the entire Aeronca line.
Even so, their attention to detail and warmth remained front and center throughout the weekend.
Held every other year, the convention has become a touchpoint for reconnecting, learning, and celebrating all things Aeronca. Read about the 21st Aeronca fly-in
Parts, Projects, and a Plane Called Mama’s Chief
This year marked my first time selling parts. Peppermint Pam brought parts for her and Uncle Paul and while her entirely separate setup—she’s well-practiced and knows the rhythm of how these things go.
I, on the other hand, was getting my bearings.
The parts I brought came mostly from last year’s cleanup, when the restorer, Peppermint Pam, Uncle Paul, and I packed up the remnants the life’s work of a long-time Aeronca Association president.
Most of it was destined for Mama’s Chief project, but the rest—like components for the Aeronca Sedan (15AC)—weren’t things we needed. Read more about Mama’s Chief
So the restorer and I packed up what would fit in the car, hoping to find new homes for useful pieces.
It was interesting to see what caught people’s attention, and satisfying when a few items were rehomed. Most of the sales happened while I was away from my table—go figure! Peppermint Pam, meanwhile, ran a smooth operation at hers, as expected.
Rosie and her husband joined us this year, eager to learn more about Aeroncas. It was heartening to see newer faces appreciating the depth of history and quirks that define these little aircraft.
A Mixed Bag of Weather—and Wisdom
Friday’s weather cooperated just enough to allow aircraft to fly in. While turnout was lower than hoped for due to the weekend’s grim forecast, the line of Champs and postwar Chiefs on the grass still made for a cheerful sight. An Aeronca Sedan flew in briefly Friday, making a short visit before departing ahead of the afternoon showers.
Among the more unique arrivals were Nell the C2, a C3, and an Aeronca T—each representing early Aeronca designs. They were joined by two pre-war Chiefs, adding even more depth to the historical variety on display.
The farthest-traveled aircraft this year was a Champ flown in by a father-and-son team from Alaska—an impressive cross-country effort and a reminder of how far Aeronca passion travels, quite literally.
Inside the main tent, scrapbooks assembled by a former Aeronca employee caught our eye. This now-retired local has preserved more moments from the Aeronca factory days than anyone realizes—often by scouring garage sales and asking locals if they had any factory memorabilia.
It’s a quiet kind of heroism, one we’re lucky to witness.
He even asked one Chief owner if they knew their airplane’s factory roll-out date. Why? Because he’s collected canceled stock certificates from key dates in Aeronca history and hopes to match them up with airframes from the same era. That kind of care and connection is what makes this community special.
Judging, Interiors, and Unexpected Inspiration
The restorers and Uncle Paul judged aircraft Friday and Saturday morning. Meanwhile, I spent time walking the flight line, phone’s camera and notebook in hand, searching for ideas for Mama’s Chief.
One beautiful Chief owned by a friend of the restorers was parked beside a vividly painted Champ, and together they sparked a flood of interior and color scheme ideas.
Another Chief on the field featured an electrical system, with fuses mounted above the glovebox. The owner shared that, in his next restoration, he moved the fuses to a more discreet location—but was adamant about keeping the functionality. A starter, radio, and transponder were essential for a going-places airplane, he said. The compact size of the Trig radio and transponder makes them ideal for keeping things inconspicuous in a flivver. He also offered some hard-won advice: finish your panel wiring before installing the fuel tank—it’s nearly impossible to access afterward.
Duly noted!
We grabbed lunch with our Chief friend and the Champ owner, sharing laughs and weather worries. Offers of hangar space were made in case flying home wouldn’t be possible. It’s that kind of camaraderie that makes these gatherings feel like family.
Flying, Fog, and Final Moments
Rain rolled in mid-afternoon Friday, grounding everyone and ending the day early. Saturday greeted us with fog and low ceilings. Judging was mostly wrapped up by lunchtime, and it was clear few additional aircraft would be considered.
Still, when the weather lifted a bit, Nell the C2 got in some flying time. Watching her land in the grassy area by the river, one attendee commented that it looked just like the photos from Aeronca’s test flight days. A C3 and another early model joined in later as ceilings lifted—reminders of how special these aircraft are in motion. Read more about Nell here.
Tours of the former Aeronca factory—now Magellan—rounded out the weekend. Walking through the buildings where those old photos were taken was moving. Currient employees took time out of their weekend to spend at work showing Aeronca owners what they were now up to. I had known Aeronca made thrust reversers for Learjets, but seeing firsthand how their legacy continues in commercial and military aviation was a revelation.
We caught up with our Aeronca friends after the tour. One shared that this was his first time actually doing the factory tour after all these years. The other and his wife stayed behind to catch up with old friends—because, as we all know, paths don’t always cross as often as we’d like.
As the skies cleared and judges turned in their final results, we packed up to leave. That evening, the awards banquet would take place away from the airport. A lovely bit of symmetry: our friend’s previous award-winning Chief was parked next to this year’s award winning Champ.
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