YC-134

The YC‑134 was the flagship project of Chase Aircraft, a small American manufacturer that emerged in the early 1960s to meet the growing demand for versatile, short‑take‑off utility planes. First rolled out in 1964, the prototype flew from the company’s Wichita, Kansas facility and quickly demonstrated the design’s combination of rugged simplicity and advanced aerodynamics. Powered by a single Allison 250‑C20 turboprop driving a five‑blade, composite‑filled propeller, the YC‑134 could lift 2,800 lb of payload while operating from unprepared strips as short as 800 ft. Its high‑mounted wing featured leading‑edge slats and double‑slotted flaps, providing excellent low‑speed lift and stall resistance. The cabin accommodated up to six passengers or a mix of cargo pallets, with a quick‑change interior that made it popular with air‑ambulance services, regional carriers, and military liaison units. Although only 27 airframes were produced before Chase Aircraft ceased operations in 1971, the YC‑134 left a lasting imprint on light transport design. Its emphasis on short‑field performance and modular interior influenced later models such as the De Havilland Canada DHC‑6 Twin Otter, cementing the YC‑134’s place as a pioneering work in the evolution of utility aviation.