National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Do they make lifting eye fittings for a champ? If not how do you guys lift the plane to swap wheels for waders? I've seen them on Super Cubs, located in the wing root. Just hook a winch up and lift away, but have never seen it done on a Champ.

nkh

Safe Air Repair makes lifting rings for the Champ. I have a pair on my Champ. They attach to the main spar the same place the wing attach fittings are located. Work great.

Nate and Don,

Sure sounds like a good idea. Would make repairs to the landing gear and such a lot easier if you could just lift the whole plane up then work.

Will have to look into this!

Thanks,

Joe

And it would make washing the belly a piece of cake! my luck though, instead of pulling the plane up, I would bring the roof Down !!

Are they something you bolt on only when you need them or leave on. I'm wondering if you can see them when not in use or if they're low profile enough that the root fairing will go over top of it with no problems, or holes cut.

so many questions...so little beer.

nkh

The lifting rings are upside down "U" pieces of steel, with a 1 3/4" diameter "O" ring welded on. The "U" attaches to the wing attach fitting, using the same holes, just longer bolts. This puts it about 2 inches outside of my wing fairing strip, with just the "O" ring sticking out above the fabric. NOT removeable. Hope this helps.

Something else I need to buy. The wife just loves airplanes. Thanks for the Tech support Don, You make it a whole lot easier on us all.

nkh

They are aksi avaikav=bke from American Champ. The brackets stay on buy the lift rings screw in when you need to lift her. I use my backhoe to lift her out in the field.

I contacted Safe Air, Univair and ACA. No one had lifing eyes for a 7ac. Any other sources out there?

I bought mine directly from ACA. They are a standard item. The Citabria ones should fit a Champ OK as the wings and struts are interchangeable.

I was told by the customer service rep that lifting eyes were only available for wooden spar 8gcbc aircraft and they were not available for the 7ac. Perhaps I should try again another day and speak to someone else.

you can also pit a 55 gal drum under the tail, remove the engine cowoling and put a nylon lifting strap around the engine mount to a block and tackle to the hangar ceiling or to a potrable engine lift on a rolling stand