1946 Aeronca Chief 11AC - The Flying Turd -

[@ronmartin3755]

I owned one of these from 1967 to 1970. I put 600 hours on it. I was stationed at the US Navy Chase Field Beeville Texas. There was a small airport North of town called Traveland Airport. It was owned by a man and his wife named Traveland. Both were flight instructors and in their late 60s when I was a 22 year old US Navy Pilot going through training. I only paid $400 for the Chief and fixed her up with new brakes, and some tail feather repair and a new tail wheel assembly. I sold it for $700 in 1970. Wish I still had that old plane!

[@autonomousindividual7780]

Telling another man he's lucky is dangerous because it can be taken to mean he didn't earn it. Not the case here, and you sure are lucky to have lived in a simpler time. Not easier, but simpler I'd say. Thanks for the story.

[@kunstmol]

Aeronca chief. One of the greatest low and slow machines ever made

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Yeah man! Hopefully, we can keep a few around for a little while longer.

[@looneytunes47]

i totally agree with that statement

[@ronjones1077]

Memories. My Dad bought a Chief in 1964 when we lived in Moses Point Alaska up close to Nome. At age 14 I was the starting motor. He and I took lessons for a week. Dad flew mornings and evenings and I flew afternoons. Learned to land, take off, stalls, tight turns, and slipping without flaps to land. Fun stuff for a kid back then.

[@rvrrunner]

In 1977 I owned a Cessna 120 and had a friend that wanted his own taildragger airplane. I have an A&P license so we found him an old Aeronca Chief disassembled in a barn in western Olka. All the parts where there and the engine was in fair shape so he bought it. We spent 6 months putting it back together and getting it in flying condition. Compared to my Cessna 120 it had terrible visibility from the cockpit and had a 65 hp engine compared to my 85 hp. That being said, he loved it but it took me lots of time to get him capable of making a tailwheel landing without doing a ground loop which he did on a regular basis. No flaps, radios or electrical system in either airplane but we still flew lots of formation flights. Great times!

[@dlkline27]

A flight with pucker factor. Great video on a wild ride. Thanks!

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Yeah it was wild for sure! Hey thanks for stopping by!! ✌️

[@hondaxl250k0]

There are old pilots and there are bold pilots. But… there are no old bold pilots.. fly safe out there boys.

[@kellywendlandt3940]

I was thinking the exact same thing. This pilot has exceptional stick and rudder skills. But the saying exists for a reason. A person might be the next Bob Hoover. But probably not.

[@keithglaysher9201]

Well that was one hell of a ride, I would have loved it! Unfortunately here in the overcrowded UK that would have caused at least 10,000 complaints from idiots who never had a day's fun in their pathetic lives, who would have been on their phones trying to make sure you lost your license and get the airfield shut down, just ask Madonna who bought a Mansion next door to an airfield and tried it the cranky beeach! Anyhow great pilot, lovely old Aeronca and happy you had a blast.

[@DarrenRayYagle]

🤣 Yeah buddy! A guys gotta live a little. Sometimes it's best to beg forgiveness, rather than ask permission! 😉

[@glenfreeman8520]

What a ride ,man and machine as one ..thats how these old birds are supposed to be flown..by the seat of your pants ..once I got my ticket in Cessnas (spam cans) I flew these old birds just like that ,great video!

[@madmarkstoys]

That's a nice flying down the rivers brother

[@rcdogmanduh4440]

Thats a blast back to the 60's, Thanks!

[@connerbaldwin8405]

2:00 owner: "don't have anything on you that can get caught in the prop" Old guy in the background: "it's inside my zipper don't worry" 😂

[@robertcovell2787]

I just watched it again. Reminds me of the J3 Cub that earned my PPL in. The flying club/school used to put it on skis in the winter and would rent it for an afternoon and go lake hopping. Alas I'm getting old and I failed the medical so all I can fly now is RC

[@jeffreyhughes7107]

That was a nice forward slip (landing).

[@WatchmanForthePeople]

Nice video! Love the pilots gear! Got that gear too!👍

[@ChurchCamp187]

Wow, awesome video brotha! That was one hell of a power ride down the river and country cruise all in one

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Lol, It sure was man! Thanks for watching. I ain't gonna lie... I was a little green for about an hour after this. I'll get used to it tho.

[@MichaelJCrooke]

That was an exciting video. Thanks for sharing.

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Thanks Michael!! It was a crazy ride, for sure. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@distantlight4527]

Phenomenal video. Thank you.

[@speedmachine69]

Old mate certainly knows his aircraft, what an aviator!

[@DarrenRayYagle]

They say there are old pilots and there are bold pilots. ...There are no old, bold pilots. I believe it! Thanks for watching. 👍

[@mikeryan6277]

Most of my time is in a Champ but do have some chief time prefer the tandem seating in the Champ but either way learning to fly in either one will make you a better pilot then if you learn in a Tricycle gear airplane. Have fun.

[@stevecarney6750]

Nice I have a 46 taylocraft very similar. great video.

[@TyroneJones3170]

You’re lucky to be alive. Nothing like a few cameras and a “yall watch this” pilot to wad that turd up into the trees. Good vid and thanks for not adding a music track.

[@jackfrost2146]

Another great river chasing video is "River Run Moyes Dragonfly." Also , another epic flying/ water video check out "Pretty Fly Moyes Dragonfly."

[@LukeMcHale]

Darren - that dude got way too close to the trees for me by the river! Great video my man - but as someone who does not like flying - nope, nope nope for me! 😂Great footage! 👍21

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Yeah, it was a wild ride for sure! I've always wanted to fly man. Just getting around to it! I didn't want it to be one of those things I never got around to. Still in ground school but it's going well! Thanks for watching Luke!!

[@joemoody548]

makes me wish I was still able to fly.

[@DarrenRayYagle]

It's something else entirely ain't it? I'm glad you got to ride along! This was my very first time up in a small engine. I'm hooked! I'll be posting my first flight lesson video soon. It was pretty rocky but we made it, lol! Thanks for watching.🙂

[@rawmilkmike]

My dad had one in the sixties. And I had one in the eighties. I wish I would have put more hours in on it. I was talking to selling it. And switched to a Skylane/182.

[@chairintheair4322]

This KZbinr is a PROPER TUBE

[@edwardstephens247]

The control panel on this bird reminds me of a Ford Model A

[@rdspice2]

I think they had the fuel gauge of a model A?

[@jackreed3445]

My kind of flying. That is why I ended up flying ultralights. No TCA, plenty of ground to cover at treetop level or lower. Helped round up range cattle that were hard to see in the brush and Mesquites from horseback. I do miss it. jack

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Hey Jack, thanks for watching! I'm thinking I'm gonna do an ultralight build. This flying stuff gets expensive quick! Gotta dialer back a bit. I like the mini max tho. KR-1 looks awful tempting too.

[@erickibbey1378]

That was incredible. You’re lucky to still be alive lol

[@DarrenRayYagle]

She got tense there for a second! Wait til you see my next video. I'm in the pilot seat!! First flying lesson. Lol, thanks for watching. 👍

[@je9886]

Great video Darren you a braver hey than i.......I....... get me off the ground lol

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Thanks Josh! Wait til you see the next one... I'm the pilot... Eeeeek! It was something else.

[@alangittner9666]

Scud Running a narrow river is all great. Until the engine sputters and stops.

[@autonomousindividual7780]

Nothing like certain engines coming to life. I know some people don't understand. But I know some do. Music!

[@wadeparker9685]

Used to own a 46 Chief. I loved it and it was probably the most fun plane I've ever flown. I even flew it in thunderstorms. When you're not IFR, and you can't see out the windshield cause of rain, you learn how to depend on your instrument gauges and I never had a problem. Engine compression started getting lower and lower so I finally sold it rather than rebuild.

[@davidrhoads3023]

There's a lotta folks who really like their fun, affordable Chief. You seem to be having a good time with one. Maybe you could come up with a better nickname than what y'did.

[@natehoskins9677]

"Highway to the DANGER ZONE!" lol

[@DarrenRayYagle]

It would be the acoustic version and 60bpm. 😆 I can hear it now! Where's William Shatner??! Thanks Nate

[@natehoskins9677]

Mesmerizing

[@TurtlesTastyTreats]

Wow!!! I don't think I would be able to do this. I would need to keep my feet on the ground. LOL Thank you so much for sharing. Very close call with the tree. Wishing you an amazing day my dear friend.

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Hey D!! Yeah, it was kinda crazy. Spur of the moment ride/lesson turned into my first time flying a small engine. The river run and landing tho... Ryan is a talented pilot for sure! I'm editing on my first actual flight lesson video now. Not quite as exciting as this one here but... lol! Thanks for watching!! I hope y'all are well! 🙂

[@pilotusaero9383]

Its no problem as long as nobody is coming up the river the other way....................

[@lewisauer6205]

Or wires.

[@dandunlap8638]

Like a go cart in the sky

[@abowen2983]

Looks like the chief didn't make it many more flights after this one. Turds in the water

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Well... It's kinda like... you know. 🤫😅

[@davidmurphy8190]

Can we remake the Deep Purple song, “Smoke on the water?”

[@greybeard5774]

Well, sooner or later such acrobats become part of the statistics in a plane crash .. lol

[@afro20man]

Is that risky flying by the river say if a flock of birds is landing or taking off on the water

[@glennryan9770]

I only flew a chief one time. It could use about 20 more hp.

[@RichardJohnson-pb2gp]

Congratulations expect a call from the FAA very soon 91.11

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Werd??? 🤸‍♂️🤹‍♂️🍭🍬 Thank you!!! 😊 It'll prolly be about my LSA. Thanks for watching Richard! It sure was a memorable experience.. Glad you got to ride along! I thought the footage turned out great for impromptu!! JP#8675-309 Check that out tho. I'm sure it'll clear up any confusion you may have in regards to 91.11a

[@davidmurphy8190]

Did the FAA think the Airknocker was just a RC model plane being operated without the proper licensing? After you went to the efforts to make the electric motor sound like an old Continental?

[@sqd37l]

cute hat

[@artsylady8971]

Wow

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Right! I'll never forget my first time up. 👍

[@jim5148]

You'll be glad it's freezing cold with 65HP.

[@rachelhall4784]

Nice!

[@TheLemonhead88]

WHERE did you get your pilot cap!!!???

[@DarrenRayYagle]

He got it from a guy named Glenn Quagmire... I think?? I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that's his name. I guess he's an old feller that flew back in WWII and later became a commercial pilot. He looks young for his age. ??Taught the pilot from this video everything he knows apparently. 🙄

[@TheLemonhead88]

@@DarrenRayYagle lmao!!! That’s to funny!! I thought u really knew at first… 😞

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Couldn't help myself bub! 🤣👍

[@7271k]

Ahh , where is a set of wires when we really need them.

[@DarrenRayYagle]

I know right! Stay tuned for updates on something of the such or whatnot else. 🙄🙃

[@doranjaffas7351]

I'm not sure I'd want to fly or accuse my airplane of being called a flying turd.

[@DarrenRayYagle]

I know right! That's what I said.. Lol! Just asking for problems. Thanks for watching!

[@joaoconterraneo3640]

Boa tarde linda imagem

[@DarrenRayYagle]

obrigado às vezes você tem sorte 🤣👍

[@Samuel-qi1fy]

wow awesome flying! :D What does the requlations say about flying that low?

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Lol, not much good.. I think it's frowned upon mostly. Thanks for watching Samuel! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍

[@apfelsnutz]

I... would love to fly in that plane... However i'd have to do it alone...I'm 270lbs. What a priveledge...! BTB, I am a pilot...

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Ya just gotta get a 115lb honey! 😆 JK Yeah, I could feel the nostalgia. I sure do like the chief tho. Hope to have one someday.

[@edwardstephens247]

What's the point of the Snoppy hat?

[@DarrenRayYagle]

🤣 He just wanted to look cool I guess😎 I wondered the same thing. It was super cold that day.. Maybe to keep his listeners warm??? Who knows!! Thanks for watching tho! 👍 Hell of a first ride

[@naurasaab]

👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@King_TuTT]

I found one for sale for $20k. love to buy one!

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Nice! I've seen them as low as 14k. Snag on one while you still can! They'll be like hens teeth in a few years.

[@King_TuTT]

@@DarrenRayYagle I would love too. but can't afford the $16k for a pilots lisc. yet. uggggh. wanna sponsor me so I can get the lisc?

[@brucepanttaja4015]

There's no better plane to learn to fly in. I have something fast and complex, but on a nice day I always go for the Chief. I call mine the flying moped!

[@Charon58]

Someone’s going to loose his license

[@jimbenton7191]

Seriously??? That’s your first ride? Well, all I can say is, welcome to the club! You’re ruined now. I’m a lifer.

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Yesser! Thank ya!! First lesson. First time up, small engine anyway. You're right... I'm ruined. 🤣 Thanks for stopping by Jim! Stay safe up there

[@pinepaul9920]

I wonder if this power line cutter is still alive? I hope he knows that River really well. This is the type of pilot who ends up killing himself and his unlucky passengers.

[@jeffjohnson2228]

Lots of chemtrails.

[@edwardstephens247]

If all else fails remove the seat belts

[@JonCox-fn3hn]

Worst flying airplane I ever flew! Chump Chief! No Love Here!

[@DarrenRayYagle]

😆 I feel ya! She flew alright for me but that fuselage is a bit too tight for a guy my size. I'm a long legged outfit! 🤣

[@wadeparker9685]

Out of Cubs, 150's, 172's and my now ' for sale' Piper tri-pacer, I liked the Chief the best. But for flying in wind, it's hard to beat the Tri-pacer.

[@RichardJohnson-pb2gp]

FAR 91.1

[@robertcovell2787]

There is nothing more useless than altitude above you

[@DarrenRayYagle]

Yeah, you don't have much time to make decisions. Kinda like life! 👍 Thanks for watching Robert! Stay safe up there

[@edwardstephens247]

50 hp at it's best

[@MalcolmRuthven]

65 hp.

[@timothyletwin5911]

Still not enough HP for the stupid sh!t the pilot was putting it through. Zero room for error.@@MalcolmRuthven

[@bigc1903]

Lousy colors to paint an airplane which is where the name comes from I'm sure.

[@tobberfutooagain2628]

Turd? Steaming or stinky……?

[@phillippierce5974]

why is this guy wearing goggles?

[@DarrenRayYagle]

That's a good question my friend! 🤣👍

[@Nachocheese86]

www.kathrynsreport.com/2022/03/aeronca-11ac-chief-incident-occurred.html

[@Luke-jw6zn]

oh shit

[@timothyletwin5911]

Not sure I believe the FFA report from this guy after seeing this mess of a flight.

[@boydw1]

I'm not surprised - that guy is an idiot - cutting it way too fine, no safety margin.

[@jonathanmedding1543]

Well, that sucks. Dew point was really low, so carb icing seems unlikely. Glad that they walked away although I imagine that they came to rest with their heads under water, while strapped in upside-down. That must have been interesting.