This 1947 Aeronca 11BC Chief is a Classic, Economical ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Some pilots consider its side-by-side seating more civilized than the tandem format.

FLYING Staff

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 09:28 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

1947 Aeronca 11BC Chief [Courtesy: Lonna Pence]

Key Takeaways:

Today's Top Pick from AircraftForSale is a 1947 Aeronca 11BC Chief, a vintage taildragger appealing to budget-conscious buyers and aviation history enthusiasts.
This specific model offers side-by-side seating and control yokes, which some pilots prefer over the tandem seating and sticks of its more common relative, the Aeronca Champion.
With 1,903 airframe hours, a Continental C85 engine with 936 hours, and a basic VFR panel, this Aeronca Chief is available for $25,000.

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Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1947 Aeronca 11BC Chief.

Most GA airplanes have at least one or two qualities that make them appealing to certain pilots. In the case of old taildraggers, there might be several traits driving the attraction.

For buyers on a tight budget, these simple machines often are among the least-expensive available. Those looking for restoration projects can refurbish vintage two-seaters with all of the special equipment and details they desire. Pilots who simply want to connect with aviation history by traveling in an aircraft from GA’s early days typically can find a range of choices on the market, from Pipers to Porterfields, Taylorcrafts, Luscombes, Cessna 120s, and a variety of Aeroncas.

The aircraft for sale today is not as common as its relative, the popular Aeronca Champion, but some pilots prefer the Chief, in which the occupants sit next to each other instead of in tandem. Some also like flying with the Chief’s control yokes instead of the Champ’s sticks.

This 1947 Chief has 1,903 hours on the airframe and 936 hours on its Continental C85 engine. The aircraft’s VFR panel includes basic flight and engine instruments supplemented with a hand-held radio and GPS.

Pilots looking for a vintage taildragger that is less common than Cubs and Champs, with the side-by-side seating that some prefer, should consider this 1947 Aeronca Chief, which is available for $25,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use our airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.