How Many Generations Can You Fit Into One Flying Bathtub? (Newhouse Aeronca C-3)
Monday, September 10, 2012 at 09:02AM 
(click pic to enlarge) 16 year old Hayden Newhouse - 4th generation to fly NC11422
(7 pix)
I stumbled across a fabulous story a little over a week ago at the Antique Airplane Association Fly-In near Blakesburg Iowa... the story of 16 year old Hayden Newhouse and his journey from Rockford Illinois to Blakesburg in a 1931 Aeronca C-3. If the story stopped there it would still be a great one. A 16 year old with both the desire and the skill to fly an antique airplane powered by an Aeronca-built engine of just 36 horsepower. It's enough right there to give us all some great encouragement for the future of aviation. But, Hayden's cross country to Blakesburg is just the beginning of this story.
1931 Aeronca C-3 NC11422 with Newhouse Flying Service (Princeton N.J.) paint
NC11422 was bought new in 1931 by Hayden's great-grandfather Richard Newhouse. Richard had come to America from Germany in 1908 and shortly after started designing and building flying machines. In 1929 he started Newhouse Flying Service in Princeton New Jersey. This little Aeronca C-3 became part of the operation in 1931.
The Newhouse family has been full of aviators since those early days, and now four generations have flown this humble little Aeronca C-3! Hayden flew to Blakesburg along with his father Robert Newhouse who brought their 1931 Bird CK biplane. Spending some time getting to know Robert and Hayden at Antique Airfield was definitely one of the highlights to my trip the the 2012 AAA Fly-In.
(click pic to enlarge) An original Aeronca engine of 36hp powers this 2-seat Aeronca C-3
Hayden shared that NC11422 was sold out of the family at one point in the past, but interestingly the new owner let it sit and then stored it away in a barn and never flew it. The Newhouse family eventually bought it back and restored it, making them the only family to have ever owned it and flown it. I think it's pretty safe to say that as long as there are people on Earth, a Newhouse is gonna own this little C-3!
(click pic to enlarge) The sweet and simple cockpit of a sweet and simple airplane
Hayden got to do more than just bring this antique Aeronca to Blakesburg... he was given the opportunity to fly solo in a Piper J-2 Cub on Sunday shortly before I met up with him. He'd never flown a Cub or any airplane from the back seat, but the owner of the Cub knew this young aviator was up to the task. Hayden did great of course, and was really impressed with the performance that the J-2 and its 40hp Continental A-40 provided! I know he loves that little C-3 but I think he became a pretty big fan of the Cub that day : )
The legacy and history of aviation is experienced at Blakesburg in a way that I've not seen anywhere else. It's as real as it gets... just like it used to be way back in the day. It's not about a fancy polished event or a big show, it's about people using nostalgic flying machines to get themselves off the ground. The people that love, care for, and fly these old airplanes are some of the best people on the planet. Getting to know the Newhouse story and seeing Hayden step into the bold new world of old-time aviation convinces me all the more that our best way forward in aviation is one giant step backward.
If you have a real love for flying, and have a big budget or even a really small one, I encourage you to consider peeking into the world of antique airplanes. You might be surprised by the pure pleasure and satisfaction you'll find living life as the aviators of the 20's, 30's and 40's did. And I'd suggest you keep an eye out for young Hayden Newhouse - there's no telling what you'll find him flying next!
Reader Comments (5)
Saw this plane two days ago in Brodhead, WI. Cool little plane. Thanks for sharing.
Well done, Hayden!
Definitely an experience to remember if you get to fly this aircraft. I'm jealous of the Newhouse's for having this plane. It's a piece of history as well.
Hey hayden, it made me smile to see that the shirt your wearing from 2005 is holding up nicely, I am the guy that drew the trimotor and that shirt came from the seaplane base out on lake winnebago. Way cool that your into the C-3 and the cool old planes. Thanks for wearing the shirt.
J. Dennis Hicklin
"the story of 16 year old Hayden Newhouse and his journey from Rockford Illinois to Blakesburg in a 1931 Aeronca C-3."
- yeah right then. I guess i am sure everything would be that perfect.
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