Ace Baby Ace: The Airplane That Launched a Movement

The Baby Ace is not just an airplane; it is the patriarch of homebuilt aviation. Originally designed by Orland Corben in 1929, it was the aircraft that Paul Poberezny (founder of the EAA) chose in the 1950s to prove to the world that anyone with basic tools and a garage could build their own flying machine. While the Sky Pup is the “hardware store” plane, the Baby Ace is the gold standard of classic experimental aviation.

Why Is It a Legend?

The Birth of the EAA: In 1954, Mechanix Illustrated magazine published the plans for the Baby Ace, sparking a homebuilding fever that led to the creation of the Experimental Aircraft Association. It is, quite literally, the airplane that democratized the skies for the common builder.

Iconic Parasol Wing Design: Its configuration is unmistakable: a single wing mounted above the fuselage on struts, leaving the cockpit completely open. This doesn’t just provide a beautiful 1930s vintage aesthetic; it offers unparalleled downward visibility, perfect for recreational flight and sightseeing.

“Old School” Robust Construction: Unlike modern ultralights made of exotic materials, the Baby Ace is built like the “real” airplanes of the Golden Age. It features a welded 4130 steel tube fuselage and Sitka spruce wood wings covered in fabric. It is a machine designed to be passed down through generations.

Mechanical Simplicity: It is designed to be powered by classic, reliable aircraft engines (like the Continental A-65). There are no complex systems or complicated electronics; it is pure aviation, where the pilot is in total control of a mechanical and predictable machine.

Performance and Key Numbers

The Baby Ace is heavier and faster than a Part 103 ultralight, placing it firmly in the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category. It is a solid cross-country machine capable of hopping between airfields with total confidence.

General Specifications:

• Crew: 1 pilot

• Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)

• Length: 17 ft 10 in (5.43 m)

• Wing Area: 112.5 sq ft (10.45 m²)

• Empty Weight: 575 lbs (261 kg)

• Max Takeoff Weight: 950 lbs (431 kg)

• Useful Load: Approx. 375 lbs (170 kg)

• Typical Engine Power: 65 – 85 hp (Continental A-65, C-85, or converted VW engines)

Performance:

• Cruise Speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)

• Stall Speed: 34 mph (55 km/h)

• Maximum Speed: 110 mph (177 km/h)

• Rate of Climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s) – An excellent climber with 85 hp!

• Range: Approx. 350 miles (560 km)

• Fuel Consumption: 4 – 5 gallons per hour (15 – 19 L/h)

In short, the Ace Baby Ace is for the builder who wants to own a piece of history. It isn’t the fastest or the cheapest path to the sky, but it is the most authentic. It is a real airplane with real heritage, offering the definitive open-cockpit experience that aviation pioneers dreamed of a century ago.