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P.A.C.
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The Champ!
During
the late 1920's, the Aeronautical Corporation of America
introduced small 30 and 40 hp two seater airplanes that folks could
afford to buy and fly as the nation entered the Great Depression. The
bathtub-shaped C-2 and C-3 were called Aeroncas, an acronym for the
company name.
Like the Cub and the Cessna 140, thousands of pilots did their first solo in this simple and sturdy tandem seat design. More than 11,000 were built to serve demand for GI Bill trainers after WWII. The Champ continues today as a fun to fly personal aircraft that won't break the bank to buy or operate.
Over the years, ownership of the design evolved first to Champion Aircraft, where it picked up the Champion trade name, ("Champ" for short), and then to Bellanca, and finally to the present owners and producers of the marque, American Champion Aircraft Corporation, of Rochester, Wisconsin. Along the way various configurations evolved with new names like Citabria ("airbatic" spelled backward...), Scout, Decathlon, Explorer, Adventurer and Aurora.
Visit the American Champion
Photo Gallery!
View thirty great photos of this this fabulous little bird!
While
the "8" series (Scout's and Decathlons) are built under a
new part 23 certification, the "7" series (Citabrias) have
evolved on amendments to the original type certificate. What
is it about this design that helps it endure in the face of the latest
sleek and fast state-of-the-art composite wonders?
A
big part of that question is answered by the fact that so many Champs
are owned by professional airline pilots. When you fly a Champ, you
know you are flying an airplane, not a computer with wings. There's
a certain magic about the classic design, your close proximity to the
environment, and the unmistakable sound and feel of fabric covered wings
that simply makes you feel happy every minute you're in the air in a
Champ.
The tandem design is flown from the front seat. Visibility right and
left is obviously unparalleled by any other design. The huge skylight
allows rearward visibility and really helps you keep track of traffic
in turns. The roomy, high mounted pilot seat, and new low cowling afford
forward visibility that lets you eliminate the "S" turns needed
to taxi other tail draggers.
Perhaps
the most comforting aspect of these planes is the very fact that the
design has evolved over sixty-odd years. It has been proven,
refined, and yes, perfected. It is a stronger, better built, better
handling aircraft because of the generations of refinement. The family
owned company that produces the Champ today is your assurance that the
planes are built right, and not under the pressure of corporate cost/profit/production
projections.
Of course technology has helped to make the Champ a better airplane: wood fuselage components are now laser cut, resulting in extraordinarily consistent fit and finish. Wooden spars have been replaced by lighter, stonger metal spars. The fabric used is strategically reinforced Ceconite, and should last 10-20 years (depending on whether the plane is hangared or not.) The metal main structure is now powder coated for added durability. The list goes on, but the essence of the plane remains.
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The Champ |
Citabria Aurora |
Citabria Adventure |
Citabria Explorer |
Super Decathlon |
Scout |
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Model: |
7EC | 7ECA | 7GCAA | 7GCBC | 8KCAB | 8GCBC | Model: |
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Base Price: |
$88,900 | $101,900 | $112,900 | $116,900 | $146,900 | $138,900 | Base Price: |
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Horse Power: |
100 | 118 | 160 (Optional 180) |
160 (Optional 180) |
180 | 180 | Horse Power: |
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Propeller: |
Fixed Pitch | Fixed Pitch | Fixed Pitch | Fixed Pitch | Constant Speed | Constant Speed | Propeller: |
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Gross Weight: |
1320 lbs. | 1750 lbs. | 1750 lbs. | 1800 lbs. (Optional 1950 lbs.) |
1950 lbs. (1800 lbs. Acro) |
2150 lbs. | Gross Weight: |
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Flaps: |
No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Flaps: |
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Acrobatic: |
Spins | Limited | Limited | Limited | Fully | None | Acrobatic: |
Aurora Price List | Adventure Price List | Champ Price List/Explorer Price List | Decathlon Price List | Scout Price List
Aurora Specs | Adventure Specs |Champ Specs/ Explorer Specs | Decathlon Specs | Scout Specs
With five configurations to choose from, there is a Champ for almost everyone in the market for a personal aircraft. The economical 118hp Aurora makes the perfect "low and slow" sightseeing/beginner training platform. The fully aerobatic Super Decathlon is even approved for 2 minute duration inverted flight (thanks to a 5 gallon feeder fuel tank under the pilot seat). All models have very respectable cruise range, so the occasional cross-country trip is certainly within the realm of do-ability. Full IFR instrumentation packages are also available!
Visit the American Champion
Photo Gallery!
View thirty great photos of this this fabulous little bird!
Short,
undeveloped runways are a cinch with the Champ's wide stance and sturdy
new spring steel landing gear. Interior comfort has always been good
and roomy, and can be further enhanced with options like plush interior,
rear cabin heater and more.
Fit and finish are excellent, as should be expected in a plane that
has sixty years of refinement history. Layout is likewise logical and
convenient.
Anyone
considering the purchase of a light two seater to pursue his or her
sheer love of flying deserves a closer look at the offerings
from American Champion Aircraft. Contact the company online for
more information, and a test flight soon!
Questions? Comments?
Contact P.A.C. by email: ken@princetonairport.com
Princeton Airport
41 Airpark Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Telephone: (609) 921-3100, Fax: (609) 683-1015
Ken's Cell Phone - 609-731-4628
