The Aeronca C-3 was a high wing, wire-braced monoplane with comical lines that could never be mistaken for any other. With a production run of 6 years, improvements were continually added to make it a better airplane and its popularity was enormous. The interest that centered around the single-seat Aeronca C-2 brought a need for a similar airplane with seating for two. Several of the earlier model C-2's had been converted to 2-seaters.

Private flyers now found that they could afford to own their own airplane and flying schools were finding their enrollments swelling by leaps and bounds. Many flying schools were offering "learn to fly instruction for $65.00" and solo flying was $5.00 to $7.00 per hour.

The C-3 was the holder of many records that included distance, load, duration, height, etc. Aeronca entered their new airplane in the 1931 National Air Tour with George Dickson flying. The C-3 averaged 64 mph for the 4,858 mile grind and became the first light airplane ever to complete this grueling test of performance and stamina. Whether authentic or not, the following story has been told regarding the Aeronca in the '31 tour. In the formula for performance, additional points were based on "stick" time (time for landing roll to stop) so the pilot, not having any wheel brakes, would reach out and grab both spinning tires with his gloved hands to give him brake effect.

Aeronca was always careful to note repeated criticism and kept pace with each demand by introducing new and improved versions of the C-3. For 1932 the open-cockpit was fitted with a detachable cabin enclosure that was snug for winter flying but could be easily removed for summer days. For 1933, the cockpit of the C-3 was made somewhat wider and more legroom was provided. The landing gear on 1931 models of the C-3 was a stiff-legged tripod type fitted with soft cushion airwheels; but due to complaints of porpoising during landing, the tripod gear was later fitted with oleo-struts; 1934 models introduced cantilever single-strut gear with a shock absorbing mechanism housed in the lower fuselage.

This was an airplane that you could really "have-a-ball" with. It was an airplane in which you sat back, relaxed and flew entirely by feel. The enjoyment made possible by this airplane, on a minimum budget is reason to hail the Aeronca C-3 as one of the best airplanes built during this time period.

The Aeronca C-3 was manufactured by the Aeronautical Corporation of America at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. There is no accurate record of the number built in the period from 1931 - 1937 but serial numbers above A-500 have been recorded, so we can assume that at least 400 had been built.