AERONCA L-16 CHAMP

The Aeronca L-16 was a United States Army liaison aircraft built by Aeronca. It saw extensive service during the Korean War. It was essentially a militarized version of the Aeronca Champion. From 1955 large numbers were transferred to the Civil Air Patrol. Derived from the Aeronca Champion (Aeronca Model 7 series), the L-16 primarily replaced the similar Piper L-4 (a modified Piper Cub) in U.S. military service. The L-16 afforded generally better performance, stability, visibility and comfort, while its safety characteristics were a mix of better and worse than the L-4.
This L-16 (technically it's an Aeronca 7AC Champ) is operated by the Delaware Valley Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and participated in a flour bombing contest the day this video was shot. Prior to the contest, several wing members got a chance to take a lap in the traffic pattern at the Princeton Airport. All but one of those flights are in this video; the second sortie is not featured because I got a chance to go up in the L-16.
I want to give a special thank you to the Delaware Valley Wing for allowing me to participate in the flour bombing contest.
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[@55pilot]

Great video of a great airplane. My Civil Air Patrol unit, St. Louis Squadron 2, flew and maintained an L-16A in 1964. I gave dozens of orientation flights to cadets, for many of them their first airplane ride. Each Saturday during spring, summer and fall, weather permitting, was designated as Flight Day, The cadets ran a Flight Operations Center where they would show the cadets name and time of flight. I loved flying in that airplane and giving cadets rides in it. When you landed there was no bouncy-wouncy on it like a Cub.

[@davelee9087]

I flew one of these with the Maine Civil Air Patrol out of Auburn Maine back in 1964 or thereabouts. It was 85hp fuel injected and a blast to fly. Of course, the best thing was the cost. Just pay for fuel! Starting by manual propping was fun, but I figured out that if you pulled it through 7 times, then turned the mags on, it fired up right away. Anything earlier was just futile. I usually flew alone, so starting had an extra kick to it. Those were the days!

[@ryanking1595]

Awesome! Is this a 65hp?

[@МаринаНиколаева-у6ъ]

👍

[@МаринаНиколаева-у6ъ]

😊👍