Aeronca info

[flybwg]

My name is Greg Settles I am new to the Aeronca airplane and any info that I can get will be appreciated. I am needing to know what to look for in buying myself a champ. This will be my first taildragger.

Thanks:

Greg

[kyleb]

We really should have a checklist on this forum for potential buyers.

Mine would be:

1) Buy the nicest airplane you can afford. It is cheaper to buy than restore (and I'm restoring one).
2) Get the drawing disk from aeronca.org. You can use the drawings as references when you go look at an airplane.
3) Check the distance between the lift strut attach point on the fuselage and the main spar attach point. They should match from side to side. The right side (the one with the door) tends to *move* over time. Not an easy fix. Ask how I know.
4) The usual concerns about 60 year old steel airframes. Check the tubes, particularly near the tail post.
5) Same thing regarding the wing spars. 65 year old spars may be beyond used up. Mine were. Have someone who knows wood take a look. There is an inspection AD for the wood spar aircraft. Make sure it was done.

I'm sure I've left off a thousand things. Hopefully others will jump in...

By the way - welcome to the forum. Where are you located?

[joea]

Agree with the above. Buying the best you can afford is way better than buying a project and putting it back together yourself unless its your only option. Have done both and while I like a project, just do not have the time to do them as much as when I was a kid...

Joe A

[flybwg]

Thanks for the information. I am located in bowling green ky. What would be a good starting price for a champ in really good shape? What is the best year and model?



Thanks:


Greg

[kyleb]

Thanks for the information. I am located in bowling green ky. What would be a good starting price for a champ in really good shape? What is the best year and model?



Thanks:


Greg

What features do you want? Do you need electric start? How about a full electrical system? Do aesthetics matter to you - for some people, whether the airplane has a "big" or "small" tail is important.

The really nice Champs seem to have asking prices that start at $25k and go up. What they really sell for? Dunno.

[SFC Hiatt]

Greg, check out www.barnstormers.com I have bought one and sold two Aeronca's using that site.

Chris

[flybwg]

I do not know what I am looking for. That is why I am glad I found this site. Hoping to get some input on some of the features you are talking about. Like is electric start,larger tail,full electric.Any input I can get will be appreciated.


Thanks

Greg

[Mikek]

Like is electric start,larger tail,full electric.Any input I can get will be appreciated.


Thanks

Greg

The Champ 7 series front back seats
The Chief 11 series side by side seating

Both great airplanes prices are getting closer but Chief usually a few 1,000 less.
Do you need or want Light Sport?

Mike K

[MikeB]

All of the above suggestions are good. Either a Chief or a Champ is a fine aircraft but remember they're over 60 years old and likely to have some 'warts'. If you're not familiar with them hire someone who knows these particular aircraft. Doesn't necessarily have to be A & P or IA in my opinion but it doesn't hurt. Especially for a 'pre-buy'. You can order a CD from the FAA with records that have been submitted but don't be surprised if not everything is on there. Some repairs seem to 'slip through the cracks '. Have someone knowledgable review the log books. Complete logs back to day one are good but may not exist. After 60 years things get shuffled around, logs lost, etc.

Couple of pluses (in my humble opinion): 85 horse engine with electric start, extra fuel tankage (the 13 gallon makes for short trips and pucker factors unless you have a 65 horse engine). Newer fabric, less than 15 years old would be good but over 15 isn't necessarily bad if it's been hangared all the time. If it's been lately painted with Imron, avoid it!! Looks nice but cracks in short order (don't ask me how I know). Mufflers are nice if you want HEAT otherwise the only thing that's warm is your left toe on a Champ.

Good luck in your search!!

MikeB

[Captgrumps]

Find or hire someone that knows these airpanes if you are a serious buyer. You can find junk to real fine airplanes--the price will be accordingly and you could get conned with a piece of junk. Prices will vary--again find someone who knows these airplanes--usually there are no free lunches--today we have people owning these airplanes that did not ask for that advice when buying and got screwed--therefore at the behest of the wife are selling them and asking prices that do not fit the condition of the machine machine (a high time or disasembled engine can be a deal breaker).

If interested get the N number and get the FAA records ($10) from registration branch, Oklahoma City before making an commitment. A good honest Champ or Chief will cost a little extra but is well worth it if you want to go flying in the immediate future. As a new comer without knowledge of these airplanes do not buy a project--you will find your frustration level will increase and opinions will vary--many from folks like ourself.

Many real knowledgable Aeronca folks are getting old and harder to find--some have a short fuse. I recently sold a first class Champ for about $2000 more than most wanted to pay for it--but some of those that contacted me are now working on "projects" that will cost them time, money and frustration beyond that asking cost and they aren't flying yet--but then maybe they really didn't want to fly, just talk..and pass on their project to another hopeful.

I've been around too long to be concerned about comments..just my two cents

[jc pacquin]

Grumps has it right. Follow his advice EXACTLY! JP