Buying a 77 YEAR OLD AIRPLANE (and flying it home!) 

You now own a plane, life will never be the same. One of the best things I ever did in my life.

The nineteen seventy five class project was an ironica chief rebuild. We completely recovered it and completely rehab the engine. It was a fun experience... Went on to horizon and Delta. Thank you chief.

My Dad bought a 1946 Chief when we lived very close to Nome Alaska in 1964. I was 14 and took lessons and was also his "starter" motor. The plane had an 85 hp Continental, an aluminum climb prop, oversized tires, a dry cell powered radio, toe brakes and the extra rear tank.We sold it a few years later when we moved to another village. Very easy to fly and learn how to make cross wind landings in!

My instructor used to say "Trust the airplane, it's been flying a LOT longer than you have!"

I recently bought a 1946 Aeronca Champ and soloed two weeks ago. I’m also a rock recording artist who’s recently gotten into Ham radio as well. Who’d have guessed I’d find a YT channel that’s perfectly suited to my passions! 🤘😎🤘

Great airplane, great video! Congratulations on becoming the newest caretaker of a very special piece of history. Owning an antique tailwheel aircraft takes a lot of heart and commitment. But, as you may have already discovered, there is nothing like the feeling you get when you become part of the legacy. Over 30 years, I’ve flown a lot of different airplanes….but nothing beats my ‘47 Cessna 140 which I’ve owned for 13 years. Been coast to coast in it. Twice! Be careful with your flight up north. Mountain flying in a 65 HP airplane requires that you plan your route extra carefully and that you make sure you know exactly where you are at all times. Watch the canyons and plan your fuel stops with plenty of gas to spare. Don’t be afraid to wait the weather out. Bottom line ….You’ll love it. Best experience you could ever have.

How nice! My first airplane was a 1946 Chief. Got my tailwheel endorsement in it. Purchased in Ontario and eventually flew across the water to my home base in Newfoundland.(13hr)air time. Loved that plane. Eventually lost it in a hanger mishap during a hurricane. Since then I've has a Luscombe and then a Champ on floats. The Chief was my favorite Thanks for the memories!

Max, I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this. Have watched several of your videos reviewing guitars (I'm 71 and play), and never pictured you being a pilot. I've been flying since a kid, grew up around planes and using them as people use cars. Don't do stupid stuff showing off, listen to your instructor, leave a safety margin, and you will become an old pilot like myself and others. The Chief is a great plane. Flew Champs myself, ended up in a C421 as the high point. I have a KR2 now for going g on 20 years. Keep going. I'm impressed with your talent. Maybe some day will run it you on a trip to the west coast. I'm on the east coast. Looking forward to more videos on your progress. Later my good man.

It makes such a pleasant change to see a video so well presented. Clear, concise and to the point. And bonus - what a beautiful aircraft the Chief is.

Hey man, back in 1957, my dad bought an Aeronca Champ. It was probably around 10 years old at the time. I was only a few years old. But over time I got to know that plane pretty good. And at 12 years old I took it on my own when my dad was away on a business trip. I knew how to flip the prop, start and basically fly it. So taxiing around our home strip was fine. then I decided to go ahead and fly it out. A few weeks later dad was home and said, Let's go flying. So during preflight, everything was ok until he pulled the dip stick out for fuel and it was lower than a quarter tank. It took about two seconds and I was being chased around the plane. Dad did beat the crap out of me. more because I could have killed myself. The worst part was his buddy calling him and telling him he saw the plane flying down the Delaware River and go under the Milford Bridge. Yup, that was me. I got beat for two weeks over that. Anyway, nice airplanes. Enjoy this great example of the Chief.. Nice one.

What an awesome aircraft. Can’t believe it’s 77 years old. Doesn’t look that old at all. Looks like a great investment.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sweet! Congratulations! The Chiefs are ancestors to the Decathalons and Citabrias. You are going to have lots of fun with this one. 👍

That's an absolutly beautiful airplane ,I ride in a 1945 TBM Avenger It burns 60-90 gallons an hour

Got it from Somerton! Nice video!

I learned to fly a Cessna 140 at Santa Paula, began in 1975. Flew it to Southern IN in '79. [85 continental, Radio had very few Vhf chanels but had an VOR That worked very well. Also, I'm KB9LAX General, here in Indiana!

Congrats. I got my tailwheel endorsement in a Champ…. I now own a zenith 601XL, taildragger, of course

I have 600 hours in an identical Chief, except we had skis for our Canadian winters, which is even more fun. You will fall in love with this plane.

I'm a Ham radio operator and would be very interested in how you set up your radio. I am flying an Aeronca Champ and the unshielded ignition is wreaking havoc on the radio xmit/recv. Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the Aeronca family!

I will be watching for the ham stuff. I’m a general and enjoy flying and ham.

Beautiful plane! Your going to have a great time. It's all about flying. As long as your off the ground speed doesn't matter.

Learned to fly in a Champ in 1955 in Arizona. Brings back a lot of memories. Look forward to seeing more of your Chief.

You did not mention the AD on the Chiefs. I had the pleasure of flying a 47 Chief and I loved it

Congrats...they are super airplanes. Good luck and many happy hours flying.

GREAT airplane! Many hours instructing in the “Chief.” Inspect those oleos carefully and use early stall recovery techniques (pre1950) too. The sweetheart spins beautifully. Have fun.

Pretty cool, man!!! I just bought a 1940 Chief. I'm freaking out. It is also my first airplane purchase. I have to trailer mine home, but I'm bringing it home on Saturday.

46 Aeronca Chief was also the first plane I purchased. Loved that plane and had a lot of fun flying it. Once owned a third part of a Cub also but always liked flying the Chief best.

What a great little video and a nice looking Chief. I own a 1949 Aeronca Champ 7CCM and can definitely relate on everything you said in regards of caring for a vintage aircraft. I have subscribed and look forward to seeing more!

Congratulations, Max! You made a great choice. Have fun and stay safe..

If you can use auto gas or get the stc. Do it! It will save u so much headache in the future dealing with stuck valves. Those small engines don’t do well with 100LL. U will never have a stuck valve with Mogas (no alcohol) & cool simple little bird u got!

Holy crow! My experience was so similar. I bought a 46 Chief, sight unseen, for a great price. I had the same experience finding an AME to inspect it. I decided to chance it. Since it was clear across the country I'd have to drive out (Didsbury Alberta to North Bay Ontario) Maybe I could fly it home. Ooppps. The wings were full of mouse poop, the engine hadn't been started in 5 years. No way I was flying this home. So on a trailer it went. I was then faced with rebuilding the entire aircraft. The only problem I faced was a complete lack of knowledge and experience. But as you said, it's a simple machine. I'm now in the third year and just finishing the fuselage. I cannot wait to sit in the button of the runway and push that throttle forward!

Ugh you are so lucky, I love chiefs and want one so bad!! I’m glad you got one and get to enjoy such a wonderful plane!!

Congratulations!!!! That is awesome!. I'm a retired A&P .that was always my dream. And I had my chances. BUT life got in the way. So I went the safe route. A 1954 pick up Rod.ak Ol'Beater. Just out of moth balls. 30 years in my garage.

Wow, that thing is in great shape! I’m extremely jealous! 😁

Welcome to the world of aircraft ownership . . . I've had my baby for 25 years . . . love of my life . . .

Swedish pilot here, been flying for like 5 years now.... Just stumbled into this video, such a cool little plane. Really awsome. Allso happens to like heavy metal...

I am so very happy for you. Enjoy!!! Looking forward to seeing your adventures!!!🎉🎉🎉

I learned to fly in a chief and a champ in 1958. I had over 18000 hours in my log book when retired. my three favourite aircraft were the 65champ, a Cessna 150 manual flaps and and a Falcon 20. All together I flew 42 different types including wide body Airbus. It was very nice to revisit the champ through your video.

Congrats purcesing it!

Congratulations on your purchase. . . have lots of fun.

Congratulations! I made an observation years ago, that music and flying go together. I found that many pilots are musical people. You're Just another person who is confirming my theory. Great informative video!

Guitars and planes. All we need to be happy! Congrats Max!!

Congratulations on a fine set of wings, you'll end up with a lot of great great memories, with this one!

Absolutely Perfect! We had a Luscomb 46 8a, totally in tune with everything you are describing, A rudder, stick, and a simple plane, keeping the simplicity of FLYING! Have been in all of the vintage planes you've mentioned, even owned a Tri-Pacer., FUN! Miss my dad, Sat. a.m. was our fly time "Where do you want to go for breakfast?" North, South or wherever? Pilots out there, if you have kids, or know a kid ,take 'em! Nice to know YOU fulfilled your dream.!

I have a 1946 Luscombe 8A, I love the old bird. Love your channel, Blue Skies and Blessings my friend.

I had a 1941 J4 Cub. Loved it. One day a tube fatigued and broke in the horizontal stabilizer. Tube frames that old have many hidden surprises. today that Cub is in a museum, a perfect place for it.

🎉Awesome Max.Its a great bird. Freedom in the sky.

Loved your video. I love them for the same reason you do! Great plane. Have fun and play safe, stay safe, and enjoy!

I learned to glide in 1955 (on the Sedbergh and T-21 wooden gliders, winch launched) and to fly powered aircraft in 1956 (at Croydon). My ab initio aircraft was the DH82a Tiger Moth, by far the best trainer ever because you had to fly it all the time - you couldn't trim it and take your hands and feet off like you can in a Cessna 150/152/172. The DH82a has no wheel brakes, a sprung metal skid in place of a tail wheel, basic electrics are optional, the mag toggle switches are located on the outside of the open cockpit aircraft, the fuel gauge is a manometer tube protruding from the tank in the centre section of the upper wing (the walk around included lifting the tail to the straight and level flight position to get an accurate fuel reading - pure magic. But it's not cheap now - either to buy or maintain.

Excellent! Well done, and happy, happy sailing!! You come over as a really decent man, and I wish you all the best in everything you do. I live in the UK, where all things aviation are prohibitively expensive, most sadly, or I would give it a shot.

Absolutely phenomenal!!.

Looks like you chose a great plane. I love it!

The video is awesome! The story is awesome. This is exactly the experience I hope to have soon!!! Thanks for sharing!

Congratulations Max. Blue skies buddy.

Awesome video. Congratulations on your first airplane. I hope one day I will buy one too. A Cub or a Husky are my type of plane . I look forward to see great footages from you flying your new plane . Congratulations again. Cheers from Texas . 👍🏻

I'm Chief shopping at the moment. I started my vintage aircraft quest with J3 Cub, and would still like to have one. But you can get a really nice Chief for about 20k less than a similar condition J3. And I've got 3 daughters to take flying, so the bench seating made more sense than the tandem. That's a really nice one, the first that I've seen with a wooden panel. One of the videos I was watching stated that we don't really own these vintage aircraft. Rather, we are the custodians of them, until they get passed on to someone else. Hopefully, whatever I buy will stay in the family long after I'm gone. I wish you many enjoyable adventures in your Chief.

' Like minded ' I think you and I have a common ancestor. I just bought a 1946 Ercoupe 415 C for my first airplane and at the same time I am a student pilot at the ripe old age of 76 years. The Ercoupe is actually 6 months older than I am. I had never flown and like you I bought it without a pre-purchase inspection. I read all the old log books and talked to some people that were sort of familiar with the airplane. Never took a flight in it, bought it. I know I was lucky, things could have gone south but they didn't. Currently I am still a student pilot waiting to do my check ride. You want to fly the entire west coast, I want to fly to Texas from the Central Valley of California. Sounds like a familiar story. Beautiful airplane Fly Safe

Congrats! Beautiful plane!

🎉congrats on your new-old plane....love your candid review of your Aeonica.....I have been an aviation entusiast since I was a boy watching F4 Phantoms do touch and gos from my roof at Scott's AFB Illinois where my Dad was stationed at.....at 72 I wont be flying/owning a full scale airplane but I am a qualified (RC) radio control pilot and own a couple of RC Cubs and fly them often....keep the videos coming.....thanks.....

This is awesome. A thorough and informative video on a topic that interests me greatly Thank you

I learned to fly in an Aeronca Champ in1966.Champs and chiefs were great airplane s

total beauty!.. just don´t strap firextinguishers to your legs, man!

Nice presentation! A good one to check out for anyone buying their first plane.

Great video, great plane. Agree with you regarding "stars having to be aligned ". I've been shopping around for my first plane and it's quite the process.

So much more affordable than a Piper J-3 Cub especially these days and IMO a better plane all around and especially the landing gear is less bouncy than a J-3 Cub

Back in the '80's I could hit a 2m repeater from almost 200 miles with an Icom 02AT 5w at 35k ft. from the cockpit of a DC 9.

I'm two years older than your plane. I hope it's in WAY better shape than I am! Cheers, Max! :)

Looks like a great Chief!

Great video. I would like to see more of the interior, I know there is not much. I say this because I like that the top of interior was exposed and you can see the structure. Look forward to the trip videos.

I know I’m way. Behind here and probably missed a great deal of things as they happened but we’ll be catching up to it. Your channel just found me how bout that. Anyway I wish you nothing but the best and many happy flights and great fun. God bless and Greetings from far West Texas. Oh yeah and I subbed also.👍

Congratulations on your purchase. I too bought my first airplane recently. A 76’ Grumman Cheetah and the seller was very patient with me. About 2 1/2 month process.

Don't know anything about planes,but this looks like it has had good care

I solo'd a Chamion Citabria at Oakland on my 16th birthday and later bought a wrecked Champion 7FC tricycle aircraft with my dad. Building hours in these old Champs really enhances your opportunity to develop solid "stick and rudder" skills. Fond memories. Have fun Max but fly by the book. You will never forget these days. I play guitar too and I'm also KC5SMH. You have good taste in hobbies.

Hi Max, congrats, guitarist and aviation lover as well here, great fun friend!!!

Congratulations, what a BEAUTIFUL Chief!! Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.

Congrats! She's a beauty!

Looking forward to the next video.

My Harley Road King weighs more than that! Nice!!! I wish someday to do what you have done

The first Chief came out in the late 1930's with a 50hp continental it was a follow on to the Aeronca KCA.

You achieved a goal I never will. I enjoy!

Got my PPL last year and got my tailwheel endorsement as a student in 2021. Did all my training in a 172 but I am fortunate to have access to my dad's 46 Chief and have about 80 hours in it now. Such a great airplane! Congrats to you, btw!

I soloed in a 7AC Champ in 1960.

Congratulations Max !!!! I remember the video where you was thinking about getting your pilot certificate or something else ( can't remember what it was ) Have fun and video all you can, I love watching these videos even more so than the guitar stuff and I really love guitar if that tells you anything LoL

Beautiful plane! Congratulations!!! I'd be at Santa Paula having breakfast every weekend in that. 😎👍

So cool! Guitars, and airplanes! I have some hours in Cubs and a Champ myself, but I don't own one yet. Loved this video!

Enjoy it Max. loved your guitar reviews too , another sub mate.

Nice plane I have a 46 taylocraft very similar to the chief. I really enjoy flying mine I am sure you will also 😊.

A song comes to mind.. Steven Stills Treetop Flyer!

CONGRADULATIONS MAX, I LIKE YOUR NEW OLD AIRLPNAE AND A GREAT CHOICE. I MISS FLYING A LOT AND I TOO LOVE CLASSIC FORD CARS. AFTER I GET ONE I TOO WILL RENEW MY PRIVATE PILOT LICIENCE AND GET MY OWN AFFORDABLE AIRPLANE. HAPPY TRAILS AND ENJOY FLYING YOUR AERONCA CHIEF. MARK FROM SAN FRANCISCO CALIF.

Beautiful!!

Well done! Hope to see you at OSH.

You''ll LOVE that plane 🙂 I flew in a Chief as an observer pilot. The other times, about 30 hours worth, were in a 7AC Champ. I'ld recommend checking the FCC rules about airborne HAM radio. If I remember correctly, there are restrictions about that. Also check with the FAA about using a HAM radio in flight. Don't get caught in a trap. Be Safe! Oh, and Have Fun 🙂

Inspiring. Wonderful milestone. Beautiful aircraft. Thanks for sharing the moment with us. I would love to make a vhf contact with you here in the PNW.

dont worry about stopping the engine in flight it will keep windmilling over unless you stall it to intentionally stop the prop

Low an slow! Fine flying machine! Love taildraggers Nice kite, as Captain Slow would say. (James May)

That was an extremely well presented video. Lovely aeroplane.

Enjoyed.

That's pretty awesome. I especially liked your buying criteria.

Yeah, the gen public has no idea there a LOT of old iron up in the air, better to keep in ignorant. My 46' T-Craft is the first and only thing I've flown, in 40 years of flying, that's older than me.

AWESOME AWESOME video brother!!! What a BEAUTIFUL flight! Should have pulled a Maverick fly by. 🤣🤙🏼

Congratulations! She's a classic beauty. Enjoy!