Aeronca Sedan
15AC Sedan | |
---|---|
Role | Light utility aircraft |
Manufacturer | Aeronca Aircraft |
First flight | 1947 |
Introduction | 1947 |
Status | Production completed |
Produced | 1948–1951 |
Number built | 561 |
The Aeronca 15AC Sedan is a four-seat, fixed
Design and development
Like those of other Aeronca designs, the Sedan's fuselage and tail surfaces are constructed of welded metal tubing. The outer shape of the fuselage is created by a combination of wooden formers and longerons, covered with fabric. The cross-section of the metal fuselage truss is triangular, a design feature which can be traced back to the earliest Aeronca C-2 design of the late 1920s.
In a significant design departure from previous Aeronca aircraft, the strut-braced wings of the Sedan are all-metal assemblies. Such combinations of construction types were not common. While the Sedan mated a fabric-covered fuselage to all-metal wings, the contemporary Cessna 170 mated an all-metal fuselage to fabric-covered wings. Also unique to the Sedan, among Aeronca designs, are the single-piece wing struts.
The
The Sedan is powered by the
As it had with many of its other models, Aeronca certified a seaplane version of the Sedan, the model S15AC.[1] While the standard Sedan was equipped with a single entry door on the right side, the seaplane version offered a left-side door as well.
Modifications
More than 50
Production history
Entering production in 1948, the 15AC Sedan was Aeronca's four-seat addition to its pair of two-seat airplanes, the
The Aeronca Sedan was produced from 1948 until 1951, when Aeronca ceased all production of light aircraft. The Sedan production line shut down in 1950, but Sedans were still being assembled in 1951 from the remaining stock of parts. The last Sedan, which was also the last Aeronca-built airplane to fly, left the factory on October 23, 1951.
Though Aeronca sold a number of its other designs after ceasing production, the company long maintained ownership of the Sedan. The HAOP-27 Krishak, built by Hindustan Aeronautics, shows some similarities to the Sedan. Some sources say that the Krishak was produced under license from Aeronca, though the differences are significant enough to call this into question.
Aeronca finally parted with the design on 11 April 1991, selling it to (according to
Burl's Aircraft production
On February 21, 2008, Burl's Aircraft announced that the company was building new Sedan fuselages and a new style fuel valve.[citation needed] On December 8, 2009, Burl's Aircraft announced that they were commencing building new 15AC Sedans.[2]
Since Aeronca still exists, but no longer holds the type certificate, the new production aircraft will be marketed by Burl A. Rogers and Burl's Aircraft LLC as the Rogers 15AC Sedan.[1]
Operational history
The Sedan was designed to be a docile airplane but also a good performer. Pilots found that the Sedan, with its large interior, had plenty of room for baggage and passengers. With its large wing, it had good takeoff performance, and was capable of short takeoff and landing operations. It found a niche as a personal aircraft and in commercial bush flying roles; it could also be equipped for agricultural work. Though the commercial roles have been largely taken over by more modern designs, many Sedans remain in use as personal airplanes. Their ongoing operation is aided by the availability of support from the design owner.
Record flights
A Sedan was chosen by pilots Bill Barris and Dick Riedel for their attempt to set a time aloft record in 1949. Their flight was sponsored by the local
The Fullerton record was short lived. Inspired by the flight at Fullerton, later in 1949, Yuma, Arizona, decided to sponsor its own time aloft record attempt. The city needed publicity as it was experiencing economic hard times due to the 1946 closure of Yuma Army Air Field. Pilots Woody Jongeward and Bob Woodhouse piloted the City of Yuma, a Sedan borrowed from local owners, modified for the flight and painted with the slogan, “The City with a Future.” The flight began on August 24, with the aircraft remaining in the Yuma area throughout, and ended after more than 1,124 hours, or nearly 47 days in the air, on October 10. In 1997, the record-setting airplane was located and returned to Yuma; made airworthy again, it flew on October 10, 1999, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the record flight. The "City of Yuma" airplane and the refueling car are now on display at City Hall in Yuma.
Variants
- Aeronca 15AC Sedan
- Basic model, certified 23 September 1948 and produced 1948–1951. Specified engines are Continental C-145-2 or Continental O-300-A and Franklin 6A4-165-B3 or Franklin 6A4-150-B3 under a Maine Air Service Franklin Aeronca Conversion Kit.[1]
- Aeronca S15AC Sedan
- Seaplane model, certified 23 September 1948. Same as the model 15AC except for float installation, larger elevator trim tab and fuselage reinforcements[1]
- Rogers 15AC Sedan
- Proposed new version for production commencing 2010. The prototype aircraft, under construction in December 2009, will be equipped with constant speed propeller, vertically-arranged instrument panel, extended baggage compartment, large windows, dual seaplane-style doors, lightweight battery, starter, alternator and a 3200 series Alaskan Bushwheel tail wheel with a Pawnee-style tailwheel spring.[2]
Specifications (15AC Sedan)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1951–52[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 3 passengers
- Length: 25 ft 3 in (7.70 m)
- Wingspan: 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
- Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
- Wing area: 200 sq ft (18.6 m2)
- Airfoil: NACA 4412[4]
- Empty weight: 1,150 lb (522 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,050 lb (930 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 40 US gal (33 imp gal; 150 L)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-145six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air cooled engine, 145 hp (108 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 129 mph (208 km/h, 112 kn)
- Cruise speed: 114 mph (183 km/h, 99 kn) at sea level (75% power)
- Stall speed: 53 mph (85 km/h, 46 kn) (power off)
- Range: 456 mi (734 km, 396 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 12,400 ft (3,800 m)
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.06 m/s)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f Federal Aviation Administration (August 2000). "AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATION NO. A-802" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-23. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
- ^ a b Rogers, Burl (December 2009). "Buyer for a New Sedan". Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ Bridgman 1951, p. 195c
- ^ "Aeronca Sedan 15AC".
References
- "American airplanes: Aeronca". Aerofiles: A Century of American Aviation. Retrieved 2006-08-12.
- "American Airplanes: Cessna". Aerofiles: A Century of American Aviation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
- Bridgman, Leonard (1951). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1951–52. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd.
- Bhargava, Kapil. "The IAF as an aircraft manufacturer". Indian Air Force – History. Archived from the original on 26 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-05.
- Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. "STC number SA302NW". Archived from the original on 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
- "History". Endurance Flight 1949. Archived from the original on 13 September 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-22.
- Hollenbaugh, Bob; John Houser (1993). Aeronca: A photo history. Destin, FL: Aviation Heritage Books. ISBN 0-943691-10-9.
- Juptner, Joseph P (1994). "ATC #802 (9-23-48): Aeronca 'Sedan,' 11AC (S15AC)". U. S. Civil Aircraft Series. Vol. 9 (ATC 801-817). Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Aero—McGraw-Hill. pp. 15–18.
- "Kaptain's Korner". Endurance Flight 1949. Archived from the original on 2 September 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-22.
- "Luscombe". Aerofiles: A Century of American Aviation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
- O’Leary, M. (May 2003). "City of Yuma". Air Classics.
- "On tour: City of Yuma". Archived from the original on 2 September 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-22.
- Perdue, S. "The very first Aeronca Sedan". Plane & Pilot Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
- "Piper". Aerofiles: A Century of American Aviation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
- Siciliano, S. A. (1949). "Flight of the City of Yuma". Arizona Highways.
- "Stinson". Aerofiles: A Century of American Aviation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
- "The Sunkist Lady". City of Fullerton. Archived from the original on 2015-02-07. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
- "Taylor, Taylorcraft". Aerofiles: A Century of American Aviation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-21.