Would a 7ac make a good SP plane, i'd also like to know what the useful load is for the 7ac. i'v read UL of 510 to 480 lb's and in ads less than 400 lb. i can lose some weight my self, but i want a plane that i can at lest have a 1:00 of fuel and 190 lb pax and some bag's -NOTE i am not buying yet just info

The 7AC is a great and honest little airplane. In many ways, I like them better than a Cub, like they're easier to get in and out of.....

As to weights, they are all over the place. That said, a 500 pound useful load is about what you can hope for, operating LSA in one of these airplanes. Then, there are ones' that've had an electrical system added, as well as a lot of other things added (read weight) and they have very little useful load.

For perspective, take a look at the Carbon Cubs......not much legal useful load there either.

If you're looking for a little more useful load, and you're not scared of experimental, take a look at the RANS airplanes. Many of them have a pretty good useful load.

But, a Champ is a good, honest and fun flying airplane, that will serve you well.

MTV

I got my Tailwheel in an Aeronca L-3 with the Lycoming 65hp engine. It was great fun and I learned a lot flying it, but I think you need to continue defining your mission for the aircraft. Even at sea level the time of day made a big difference with performance of that aircraft.

MTV, i'd go for a RANS but the champ has the lower price. the absolute minimum useful load for me is 480 lbs... DCO-65, the mission is just to fly for cheap. and i do know that time of day makes a difference.

And forget the bag's.

I have a 7AC o-235 LSA love it. Have a grass strip at home up the last 5 nights in a row for about and hour each..... can't beat it for fun.

I got a buddy with a C-85 powered Champ ('46 7AC? - 800# empty). It's a great plane that he and his wife have traveled all over the country in. It's a 90 mph cruiser fully loaded with them and bags (425# +), still burns less than 6 gph.

The one thing i like about the champ is it's 10-15 mph faster than a cub and wider. and that the champ fly's like a cub right? it's worth to note i'v not flown in a champ. i'm 6 foot and currently 240 lb's thus a 480 UL at least a must

Av8r3400 could you ask what the prop pitch is and what the weights are on it

also what's with the short and long vertical stab on the AC models?

I don't know the spec on the prop… Sorry.

The larger tail was an addition for the more powerful engine (75hp?). The small tail, without the extended dorsal fin was the earlier model for the 65 hp engine.

Well i'm learning, anyone else know more about the 7ac?

fearless Aeronca Aviators
www.aeronca.org
National Aeronca Aviators

A Champ can be addicting .....

Bighorn wrote:fearless Aeronca Aviators
http://www.aeronca.org
National Aeronca Aviators

A Champ can be addicting .....

Bighorn thanks, now i just need to work on the SPL and Fly

What MTV said. It is a real good airplane.

ExperimentalAviator wrote:The one thing i like about the champ is it's 10-15 mph faster than a cub and wider. and that the champ fly's like a cub right? it's worth to note i'v not flown in a champ. i'm 6 foot and currently 240 lb's thus a 480 UL at least a must

Champs are definitely roomier, easier to get in and out of, and fly similarly to a Cub. Not exactly the same, but similar. The one I flew most was a 7EC, which had a C-90 and was pretty peppy. Personally, I wouldn't bother with a 65hp model. They're still a ball to fly but the extra 30hp or so is really nice (especially for a big guy.)

Well Zzz, i want to get a sport pilot first be for a private so it's the 7AC is for me. what was the climb rate in 7EC with you?

ExperimentalAviator wrote:Well Zzz, i want to get a sport pilot first be for a private so it's the 7AC is for me. what was the climb rate in 7EC with you?

Unless you think you're unable to get a medical certificate, just go the extra mile to get your Private while you're in the learning/training mode.

I don't recall the climb rate.

ExperimentalAviator wrote:Well Zzz, i want to get a sport pilot first be for a private so it's the 7AC is for me. what was the climb rate in 7EC with you?

Many of the 7ACs out there have been modified with the higher horsepower engines in any case.

Climb rate of any low powered aircraft is highly dependent on density altitude. The good news is that on hot days, climb performance may suck, but there's convection going on......you learn to thermal.

MTV

mtv wrote:

ExperimentalAviator wrote:Well Zzz, i want to get a sport pilot first be for a private so it's the 7AC is for me. what was the climb rate in 7EC with you?

Many of the 7ACs out there have been modified with the higher horsepower engines in any case.

Climb rate of any low powered aircraft is highly dependent on density altitude. The good news is that on hot days, climb performance may suck, but there's convection going on......you learn to thermal.

MTV

that would be interesting...

Zzz wrote:

ExperimentalAviator wrote:Well Zzz, i want to get a sport pilot first be for a private so it's the 7AC is for me. what was the climb rate in 7EC with you?

Unless you think you're unable to get a medical certificate, just go the extra mile to get your Private while you're in the learning/training mode.

I don't recall the climb rate.

for me it's just the time and $$$. and the time i get as a licensed SP can go to a private.