A CHAMPION of the Sky…
There is something very special about flying in a 1946 Aeronca Champ.
The fabric covered airplane is the essence of simplicity. Cruising at 80 miles per hour ensures that the view out the window won’t rush by in a blur. It’s the aviation equivalent of stopping to “smell the roses.”
Today I joined my friend Brad Marcum for a quick flight in his Champ to the New Braunfels Municipal Airport (KBAZ). Brad was my Instrument flight instructor and it is always a pleasure flying with him.
As we drove out to his hangar at Kestrel Airpark(1T7), the edge of a strange fog bank hovered overhead. We’d observed the fog bank from a distance after leaving San Antonio Intl Airport and clear, blue skies.
Fortunately, by the time the preflight was complete, the fog had burned off. A few moments later, Brad shouted “Contact” and with a twist of the propeller he brought the Champ’s 65 horsepower engine to life. It was time to fly…
Brad’s 1946 Aeronca Champ at New Braunfels Airport
Shortly after the takeoff Brad turned the airplane over to me and I aimed for Canyon Lake, visible to the Northeast of our position. The air was smooth. Soon we were flying over sailboats and marinas.
A short while later, we entered the traffic pattern at KBAZ and got busy. A Piper had just departed Runway 35 and was climbing towards us as we maneuvered to enter the downwind. Shortly behind the Piper a Cessna Skyhawk was climbing into the air as well. We could see the Piper turning downwind behind us and decided to take advantage of the calm winds to land on Runway 31 which was closer to the restaurant we’d be eating lunch at.
Brad brought the Champ down to the runway and made an impressive landing. One I captured on videotape, sitting behind him (the Champ has tandem seating), using my Canon ZR85 digital camcorder.
We enjoyed a great club sandwich at the restaurant on the field and were soon on our return flight home. The visibility had improved and miles of earth could be seen in every direction.
Thanks for the flight Brad…it was - as always - an awesome experience…
Look for some photos to be posted soon in the photo gallery.
