'nudder question

[N3840E]

I have done a search but did not find anything. Is there an STC or existing 337 that allows a Citabria type baggage in a 7AC? I want the area for bulk, not additional wt. I would keep the wt. the same. Sleeping bags and other camping gear have come a long way with modren materials and don't weigh much but they sure take up a lot of room. In my rebuild I will be converting to 7CCM service letter 15. Shooting for about an 825/835 empty weight, might be wishful thinking. My orginal 7AC from the factory was 764 according to the supplied 1947 wt. and balance.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Kevin, I've seen it done it Champs, but don't know how or if they approved it. I'd like to do the same thing, for the same reason, and kind of figured on just doing it and over look mentioning it in the logs. It could be looked at as a minor change, omitting the baggage sling and extending the rear floor boards.

But if you're looking for some kind of approved data, talk with Jerry at ACA and get the prints for the new 7EC baggage area and do it like that. At least then the 337 would have a little backbone to it.

nkh

[N3840E]

Nathan, I'm rebel enough to do just what you described but my only concern is relocating the elev. cables under that paticular bay. I would bet there is a 337 somewhere that exists just for this very reason. My local Fed. is not to bad on things like this but I understand a lot of FSDO's aren't buying field approvels at all. I will cross that bridge when I come to it. The way I have been ordering parts you would think I just won the lottery. These "official" airplane parts sure add up fast.

[David Johnson]

Kevin, one of the conversion service letters has some info about the cable change. Have to weld on some brackets for the pulleys to re-route the cables. Can't remember which one. One of the later ones I think. Might help in the approval process. Nate, can you help? Got to get to work....David J.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Kevin,
If you route the cables like the Citabria you can open up the area. Get the parts and drawings from ACA and submit that as your basis for approval if there is no relief in the Service Letters.

[N3840E]

Thanks guys. Will look into that. Great board.

[Mac]

I bought a project that had the cables rerouted under the baggage area and when I installed the torque tube the cable rubbed hard against the bottom of part 2-817 (aluminum arm). I changed back to the original drawing only to discover after it was covered that on later models (7ECA)the part #2-817 was modified to prevent rubbing. Check with a guy named DUSTY on this board. He has the modification on his Champ.

Scott

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Good call David:

Service Letter #60 - Conversion - Champion Medel 7EC to 7GC

27. Interior Panel Changes -

The rear panel is moved aft one bay because of the battery location change. The left and right side panels must in turn, also be lengthened. Additional new rear floorboards are also required. The canvas baggage compartment sack is removed from the Model 7EC. Champion Kit No. 222 provides the necessary parts and instructions to modify the Model 7EC interior.

nkh

[Tugaske2]

here is the baggage door I made for my second champ, the fittings for putting the elevator cables underneath the floor boards were made according to blueprint 7-1050...also as was quoted the elevator cables will rub against the flat bottom of the 7AC control torque tube, therefore one has to substitute the citabria control torque tube which has a bigger u-shaped bottom as in the picture below


Here is the construction of the door before fabric-ing

[Tugaske2]

More photos of baggage door

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Thanks for the detailed pictures!

nkh