National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

I saw both (yep there were 2 there) of the "Champs" at OSH, actually one had a data plate on the top that read "7ECA"?? if I remember correctly?? One of the planes weighed over 970# (that only leaves 350# of fuel and payload - If Nathan and I don't get on a diet we will not even ...

I purchased a set from SAR a while back. I just got one side. The L/H and R/H are identical, so I saw no need to get both sides. I used a router table and small laminate bit to duplicate the ones I rec'd from SAR to make both the R/h and L/H sides. I used 5 ply a/c grade mahagony avail. from A/C Spr...

Gus: I don't have a scanner, but I do have the Wagner STC-SA3-372 for the installation of an O-200 on a 7AC. This is the only way you can have an O-200 on a Champ and still have it designated a 7AC unless it was done under a field approval. I don't know why anyone would do this since this STC is ava...

You can get a copy the FAA's "Issuance of Policy Statement, Methods of Approval of Retrofit Shoulder Harness Installations in Small Airplanes - ACE-00-23.561-01" on www.faa.gov. After reading this 16 page policy a few times, I'm pretty sure it allows you to install retrofit harnesses as a ...

I think the EAA heaed this up with the feds a few years back. It is my understanding that you can install a shoulder harness in any of the aircraft that were certified originally without them with just a log book entry. The logic being that having an unapproved shoulder harness over no shoulder harn...

Do Aeronca's using a McDowell starter require the use of a Cheif style nose bowl and prop spinner? The only Aeronca I have ever seen with the McDowell on it was Bill Pancake's Champ. He had a Cheif nose bowl / spinner on it. I wondered if the Cheif nose bowl was required to cover the starter mechini...

Stall speed depends primarily on wing area, weight, and density altitude. For a std. Champ (170.22 sq. ft. of wing area), stall speed will decrease by about 2 mph per 100 pounds of weight removed. The example above is calculated at a max. gross weight of 1,220 pounds at 4,000' density altitude. Lowe...

Mike, Just looked into the stall speed for a full 7AC wing (170 sq. ft.) vs. a wing with the Citabria tips (165 sq. ft.). At a density altitude of 4,000 ft. at full gross weight - 1,220#. The stall speed increases from 43.94 mph to 44.63 mph. At sea level the stall speeds should be even lower. I'm n...

Nathan: I agree, the wing spar inspection doesn't need to be a big deal. When I was up at the ACA factory the other day one of the senior guys told me that a little alcohol will really bring out a compression crack. I didn't think to ask at the time, but this might not work on a varnished spar. I kn...

Gus, It's my understanding that you don't need an STC to convert a 7AC to a 7BCB or 7CCM. A good thing - There is no STC avail. for these conversions. The Service Letters are considered FAA approved data for these conversions. The thing I like about the Wagner STC over these service letters (S.L. #1...

I just got back from an ACA factory tour and got a good look at the light sport a/c they are developing. What a worth wile trip - Racine, WI to Thomaston, GA in 3-1/2 hrs. in and RV-8 :lol: . Going up was another story. The a/c looked like a cross between a Champ and a Citabria to me. The interior a...

I have heard of two schools of thought on removable equipment. I have always looked at it as removable if it doesn't require tools to install and remove. Like a headset. I even went so far as to installing a GPS mount with wing nuts to avoid having to ask for permisison (ie a 337) from the feds to i...

I purchased the STC from Buzz Wagner about a year ago. The paper work I rec'd only allows the installation of the 0-200. When I ordered it, Buzz had to know which engine I planned on using. It looks like he just adds/removes certain sheets depending on which engine you plan on using. I was not impre...

I had a set of the .032" ribs from Safe Air. They were drilled for the 1/8" fabric rivets. There is a Service Letter, I think it's #85, that allows the use of rivets in the .032" ribs, but did not specifically list the 7AC. In any event, I once saw a set of these used with the small P...

Nathan, keep poking. Still working on all the drawings. Can't wait to start bending metal. I think I saw Mike fly over our strip a couple of weeks ago. Man it HURTS to see a Champ fly over on a nice day.