empty weights on chiefs

gregoribub · Post by **gregoribub** » Sun Feb 06, 2005 17:47

Can you give me a feeling of typical empty weights for AC, BC and CC chiefs. I am trying to get a handle on typical useable weights for a project.
thanks to all
Bert

John Baker · Post by **John Baker** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 19:28

Empty weight on my Chief is 808.16.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 01:16

848 for my 1947 with a skylight and shoulder harnesses.

omymyohellyes · Post by **omymyohellyes** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 09:38

What is up with the empty weight on these aircraft? All the literature I can find for them from the late '40s shows an empty weight for the Chiefs (11AC) around 740-750 lbs.

However, the results shown here are all up in the 800~850 # ranges. The 11AC I'm buying has ~850 on the Wt & Bal sheet. This is as close to stock restoration as I've ever seen - differences - Stits covering and an ELT added. And the starter is gone. So how did these birds gain all that weight?

Or did somebody in marketing fudge the number to make it look like it would haul more?

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 13:16

I have the paperwork for a 11CC Chief I may wind up buying. Looking at some old 337's, it weighed 827# in 1949 (only a year old) 1962 shows it at 831# and all the rest seem to be in the 830# range. Hard to say if anyone really "weighed" it or if they just added and subtracted off the old weight as modifications were made, etc.

I did find some interesting examples of things that would add additional weight.......HW mufflers (13 lbs) MacDowell starter (9#) Wood prop (11 #)
Metal prop (22 #) Scott tail wheel (11 #) wheel pants (6 #) So as you can see it all adds up. I think covering, finishing and paint adds the most additional weight. When they came from the factory, they had light fabric and only a few coats of dope. Since most have gained a lot of weight due to the more "modern" finishing systems used.

We have a Champ at our airport which is pretty much "stock" other than a metal prop and finished with ceconite and dope. It weighed in a 820 #.
My Champ finished with Superflite came in a 835# (looks nice and shiney, though)

.

Someone said once "If you throw it up in the air and it comes down, it's going to add weight".

John Baker · Post by **John Baker** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 03:46

Here's some additional info on my Chief which weighs in at 808.16 pounds. It has a wood prop, Slick mags, ELT, wheel pants, Airtex interior with carpeting and Superflite System II fabric. I think the polyurethane paint is heavier than the original cotton/dope. The interior is probably heavier than original. On the other hand, the Slick mags saved 7.14 pounds compared to the Bendix mags. Switching to the wood prop helped as well, saving 15.19 pounds. Before those two changes, the plane weighed 825.

Not included in the empty weight are the items I usually carry - Lowrance Airmap 500, Yaesu radio, and DC headset. In the baggage compartment I usually have a gust lock, tie downs, fuel tester, fuel level stick, quart of oil, and a length of nylon rope.

Mikek · Post by **Mikek** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 09:54

gregoribub wrote:Can you give me a feeling of typical empty weights for AC, BC and CC chiefs. I am trying to get a handle on typical useable weights for a project.
thanks to all
Bert

N83348 7AC 751# actual from factory 1946 now 771# 1992

mikek

John Baker · Post by **John Baker** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:26

I found the original weight and balance for my Chief from 1946. When new, it weighed 791 pounds. Chiefs were fitted with "deluxe" appointments and an McDowell starter, so they weighed more than Champs.

My Chief now weighs 806. That includes a ELT (3 pounds) but does not include the original McDowell starter. Heavier paint (including the two-part expoxy on the fuselage), fabric (Superflite) and interior with carpet (Airtex) contribute to the 15 pound increase compared to 1946.

John Baker · Post by **John Baker** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:32

Oops. In that last post I should have said my Chief weighs 808 pounds, not 806. So that means a 17 pound increase compared to 1946. I should probably mention that part of the weight of the paint can be attibuted to better corrosion protection. For example, the INSIDE surfaces of my engine cowl and boot cowl are painted rather than left bare aluminum.

Jody Wittmeyer · Post by **Jody Wittmeyer** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 22:08

I believe, that when the factory weighed them, it was with out props, starters, wheel pants, brakes, etc. They left all the optional equip off. I know, needs a prop to fly, but several different ones were available.

Mikek · Post by **Mikek** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 14:09

Jody Wittmeyer wrote:I believe, that when the factory weighed them, it was with out props, starters, wheel pants, brakes, etc. They left all the optional equip off. I know, needs a prop to fly, but several different ones were available.

My champ from the factory included a equipment list showing what was on
it for W&B items: 1,101,102,103,201 & 202. Form ACA-309 off FAA CD
for N83348

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

empty weights on chiefs

empty weights on chiefs

Empty Weight on Chiefs

Re: empty weights on chiefs