National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Hello! I am new to the forum and thought I would “check in.” I currently have a Cessna 150 but I am seriously considering moving to a 7AC (or similar Aeronca LSA). After a couple of grass strip fly-ins this past year, I find the “simpler” flying very appealing. Is there a way to search for members that live in Ohio? My biggest concern with these great planes is the potential fabric re-covering. Is that really something to be concerned about? Anyone looking for a C150 trade? Tips, thoughts, and suggestions are welcome.

Larry

bubbagump wrote:Hello! I am new to the forum and thought I would “check in.” I currently have a Cessna 150 but I am seriously considering moving to a 7AC (or similar Aeronca LSA). After a couple of grass strip fly-ins this past year, I find the “simpler” flying very appealing. Is there a way to search for members that live in Ohio? My biggest concern with these great planes is the potential fabric re-covering. Is that really something to be concerned about? Anyone looking for a C150 trade? Tips, thoughts, and suggestions are welcome.

Larry

Welcome,

I am in the Dayton Ohio area at 3OH0 just 6 mi north of WPAFB. I have 2 Champs one flying one is a project. Stop by anytime.

Several Champs being covered at this time.

Larry,

Welcome on board and know your concern.

There are several areas that you need to check with any old tube and fabric airplane. Course with other old airplanes that do not have fabric they have their own areas of concern, so I would not let that bother you.

With the Aeronca's you need to check the:

1. Fabric. Get a good A&P who is experienced in dope and fabric to look the plane over. Its not unusual these days to have fabric 30+ years old that is still in good shape. If the plane is kept in a hangar and taken care of it lasts a very long time.

2. Wing spars. These are normally not a problem area but need to be checked.

3. Fuselage tubing, especially in the rear of the airplane. Due to the "three point" attitude of the plane it spends 99% of its time with the nose high and tail low. Any moisture inside is going to go towards the rear. If there are going to be issues with the tubing (rust or corrosion) its almost always in the rear lower tubes.

4. Engine. These old Continentals are rugged and dependable engines. Taken care of they will last for 2-3000 hours, but its not unusual to have to change out the cylinders every 6-900 hours. Run these engines as hard as possible and they seem to like it. Baby them and they seem to be more fragile.

There are a lot of Aeronca owners in your area, then there is the fly-in held at the original Aeronca factory in Middletown Ohio this coming June. If you have not found a plane by this time this would be a good place to look.

Joe A

Well, I finally sold my C150 so the search is on! My training so far has been in an 7AC but I've noticed several nice looking Chiefs on Barnstormers. Could anyone comment on the handling characteristics of the Chief vs the Champ? I'm curious about the Chief's fuselage tank and its impact on handling. Likewise, stick vs yoke… is it just a personal preference or are there advantages / disadvantages to either.

bubbagump wrote: Could anyone comment on the handling characteristics of the Chief vs the Champ?

Oh boy, now you've done it!

I would make every attempt I could to try it before you buy it.

Oh boy, now you've done it!

I would make every attempt I could to try it before you buy it.

Ok, Chief is faster, holds more fuel, longer range, easy to fly then why do they cost less then a CHAMP? You get what you pay for. Want a real airplane, you need to sit on the centerline and not side saddle!

Mike K

Chiefs are for when you are courting your wife to be--Champs are after the wedding.

Doug

Try both then look at the $$ involved.

You may be courting the wife for a long time, so remember that!

Joe A

Why are Chiefs less expensive?

Supply and demand -- there is a large demand for airplanes that support the adolescent dreams of wanna-be fighter pilots, therefore Champs are in higher demand.

Chiefs are faster, have the same components, and fly as well for half the price.

Guess which owners are smarter?

Dan I haven't seen half price yet for one you would want.
Never wanted to be a fighter pilot, just like the Champs view.
Doug

Dan1940Chief wrote:Why are Chiefs less expensive?

Guess which owners are smarter?

Sedan pilots~! They get a Chief with a 6 cylinder engine!

Get one of each. See which one you like the best and put the other one on floats?

Okay, you’ve piqued my curiosity… Why are Chiefs faster given the wider fuselage? Also, does the fuselage fuel tank impact the handling (since it’s behind the center of gravity)? It seems like yoke vs stick is just a personal preference?

Thanks again for all the feedback! I realize I’ve probably stirred up the proverbial hornet’s nest.

Larry,
I ran across some factory info years ago, and I remember the Chief cruise listed as 83mph and the Champ listed as 87mph. I've spent hundreds of hours in a Champ and don't ever remember being passed by an 11AC Chief.
Paul

Champ with 85, and starter for me. Fly both and you judge. Visibility out of Champ front seat is better. Its a long way from flying a fighter however. Both are easy to fly and forgiving. The 85 conversion is even better (with McCauley metal prop.) Wing tanks are a must with 85 engine. 13 gallons just doesn't get it as it limits your flying too much. If you are not a builder, buy a nice one, well done. Buy a beater and you'll spend too much in the long run. Check wings CAREFULLY as groundloops and running into hangar doors etc. are often unreported. Its VERY difficult to find spar cracks unless wings are uncovered. Be careful! JP