7ECA Spar replacement

[champilot38]

I have found a Citabria for sale for what seems like a good price. It states in the ad that the left rear spar is cracked. Can someone tell me what it would take to fix this? How many man hours? Im no A&P but I know some I could help with the repair. Or what it might cost for someone to fix it for me??

[joea]

There was a set of wings on Ebay for $6500 or so. That would get you in the air immediately.

Otherwise it would require taking the one wing apart and replacing the spart. I would as well inspect the other wing pretty good but its not a big job. It would be a good winter project IMHO.

[MikeB]

The spar from Wag Aero is around $650-700. I'm guessing shipping would be expensive to Alaska. You can manufacture your own of course. The problem is once you open up the wings all kinds of gremlins pop up (cracked ribs, loose nails, corroded leading edges, etc.). I'm not saying ignorance is bliss, just once you start you'll find other things that will need repair, replacement, cleaning, painting and it takes time and $$$$.

That being said: it's a good enjoyable job if you have the time and location to do it. I'm finishing my first set with all new spars, ribs, leading edges and wing tanks. I'd say probably 60-80 hours a wing for a rookie like myself from start to finish. Great fun though!!

Hope this helps!
Mike Berg

[champilot38]

Thanks for the help. I am a rookie too. And currently dont have anywhere to do the repair. Can you tell me what different model of wings will bolt up to it? But yeah wing shipping would be a bit much. So when you said rookie does that mean your not an a&p. Just being supervised by one of course!!

[MikeB]

Right...I'm a mechanic (diesel) but not a A & P. but I have one that I work with and is available. By rookie I mean this is my first set of wings. I've covered a couple of fuselages and control surfaces. Looking at the Wag Aero catalog, they list different spars for different models. I'd call Wag Aero (1 800 558 6868) and ask for Mike Utley for information on specific models or he might chime in here also.

Mike Berg

[shep]

For a 7ECA you need 7ECA wings . 7GCBC wings have flaps and are longer. 7KCAB wings have a symmetric airfoil. 7GCAA wings are close but are designed for 150-160hp engines.

There are two other options to consider. There is an AD on Aeronca/Champion/Bellanca aircraft over 90hp with wooden spars that requires recurrent inspections. This usually entails putting additional inspection covers in the top and bottom sides of the wing.

American Champion will sell you new aluminum wings (pricey- I heard about $17K) that gets rid of the AD or Milman Engineering sells an aluminum spar that will take the old ribs/compression struts/drag wires etc for about $4500. Milman spars also gets rid of the AD for yearly inspections. Search this forum there for a photo essay on utilizing Milman Spars. In my opinion the metal spar add value to the airplane and the time to replace the spars is when your are rebuilding the wing. I plan to utilize Milman spars on my 11CC rebuild.

[champilot38]

Alright how about if I hired someone to do the job for me? What would labor take on something like this? 4O hours a wing??

[Paul Agaliotis]

It's going to be about $6000. That would $1 K for materials, $2K labor and $3K to recover it. This is barring any other items that could be uncovered during the repair.
If you chose to replace the wing the pre and post 1974 have slightly different rib placements, and fuel vent system. And only the 7GCAA and 7ECA's will be a direct interchange.
Paul

[champilot38]

$6000. Im guessing that is per wing?

[Paul Agaliotis]

That quote would be for the replacement of the left rear spar.
Paul