My wife and I hope to purchase an aircraft in the coming year. One of the possibilities we have been looking at is the ACA Explorer/Adventure line of Citabria's. I would be interested in any thoughts folks have about these particular aircraft, good, bad, or ugly.

Jr.CubBuilder wrote:I think they are anything but ugly. I was in love with a 7ECA that had been traded in to CubCrafters for a new plane. Having spent some time sitting in it, I would say it's a lot more comfortable than a Cub. They don't haul as much in usefull load compared to a SuperCub, but they have more room, and cruise faster.

Thanks for the input.... I thought they were comfortable as well. I have heard just a couple mixed opinions about the quality of work on the newer ones coming out of the factory... May have just been one persons bad experience.

Dave, I'm guessing from your float posting that you like tandem, stick controlled airplanes. If you can afford a new Explorer, there are a number of other planes you can also afford. I hope you don't feel like you have to buy a brand new aircraft to get quality and safety. There are a lot of really good used planes out there for less money.
Have you looked at the PA-12 family. They look kind of like Super-cubs but have a little more interior room. It's not as short as a SC, but they aren't as expensive either. Just a thought.
The Cessna guys will probably jump on me for this, but having flown Citabrias with and without spring gear, and Maules as well, I prefer oleo suspensions. It's just an opinion, but I think oleos are more forgiving, and offer a little smooter ride.
good luck

I have a fair amount of t/w time in my 170 (leaf spring gear), and just a bit of time in a Pacer (bungee/hydrasorb) a J5 (bungee) & a Champ (oleo). I'd have to agree that the leaf spring gear seems less forgiving. The Champ's oleo gear seemed most forgiving.
I have heard of people choosing an early oleo-geared Aeronca or Champion over the same later model Bellanca which had spring gear. The maintenance-free aspect of the spring gear has advantages, though.

Eric

Thanks for the input. Gives me some things I hadnt considered.

I think that if I was buying a factory-new airplane I'd be looking pretty hard at the new Maule M4-180. 2 place, side by side, priced somewhere around 100 big ones. Looks like pretty good competition for the Husky & CC Top Cub--cheaper than both, maybe not as slow as either on the bottom end but probably faster than both.
For something LSA-compliant to do the sport pilot thing in, I'd check out the Legend Cub, priced around $77K.
My two cents...

Eric

i got my t/w endorsement in a 7GCBC and had a blast doin it.
it was my first encounter with a stick and rudder aircraft. i was impressed with its 110 kt cruise. and i'll never forget doing my first loops and spins in it. if it had 4 seats i would own one.