Just became partners in a 1974 GCBC, N88252. Earned my TW endorsement in Dads champ, and have a neighbor who just got his ticket and wanted to get a plane,(a taildragger with a stick ). He just went out this week and picked it up while I was visiting Mickey Mouse with the family.

Looking forward to getting some seat time in it--any tips?

Anybody have skis on one?

I owned N88144 two different times. Congratulations.

I have a 76. Set up with VG's, 31"abw,s and baby bush wheel. I have straight skis on it in the winter. They work great. I love the little plane, although its almost impossible to stay under legal gross with 2 people and full fuel.

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Champs don't bounce much. GCBC's bounce more.

A1, what type of skis do you have? Are there many choices for skis?

I used to own an love a 1977 7GCBC. Flew it (literally) across the country. Great plane, although
if you bring a buddy along camping, you'll have a hard time staying under gross.
I loved mine and used to enjoy doing both backcountry flying and gentleman aerobatics with it. Enjoy!

I understand the gross weight issue, every one we looked at was pretty hopeless for payload, much like our champ.

This one has <2000 tt, and 300 smoh. Millman spars, so no spar AD

lancef53 wrote:A1, what type of skis do you have? Are there many choices for skis?

Im honestly not sure. Inherited them from a guy who has a virtually identical plane. They are straight skis, and the wheels have to be taken off. Kind of a pain. I would like some that I could use with my 8.00s on, so I could land in snow or pavement.

David

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Congrats, Lance. I do love the GCBC. So the Millman spars are the metal retrofit?

Zane wrote:Congrats, Lance. I do love the GCBC. So the Millman spars are the metal retrofit?

Z, the Millman spars are direct replacements of the original wood ones. They pull the wood ones out, and install aluminum ones. They then use spacers to fill the gaps between the spar and the ribs. As far as I know, they are the only replacements besides the factory replacements, and with the factory replacement they use a different rib so no spacers are needed. That is why you need to change the whole wing with the factory replacement.

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Zane, the millman ones are aluminum-they have an STC to replace the AD ridden wood ones. The spars add about 10 lbs, but are well worth it for the peace of mind. Right now, a complete new set of wings from ACA goes for 22-24k exchange.

I will try to get some pictures soon!

Just bought a 69 7gcbc last fall, floats, 8.50's & aero 1800 skis. I have flown 2 others before on skis & floats. Ready for summer to get the floats on!!

lancef53 wrote:Zane, the millman ones are aluminum-they have an STC to replace the AD ridden wood ones. The spars add about 10 lbs, but are well worth it for the peace of mind. Right now, a complete new set of wings from ACA for 22-24k exchange.

I will try to get some pictures soon!

Nice thing about the factory conversion is that its 22K complete with fabric and paint. You just take the old wing off and bolt the new one on. They are about 15lbs heavier, but you get a gross weight increase of 100lbs, as they come with a bigger strut.


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Yes, we actually thought about buying a plane and getting the factory wings. The 100lb increase would be nice, too.

Aero 1800 skis work ok? We have a set of federal 1500 skis for the champ, they seem like a good match.

And if you put 180hp out front you get a gw increase to 1950. Not sure why they can't do that with the 160, as it has plenty of power for 1950 lbs...

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lancef53 wrote:Aero 1800 skis work ok? We have a set of federal 1500 skis for the champ, they seem like a good match.

I didn't install them yet, Our winter was virtually snow free for most of the season. skis on my 305 so I didn't worry about getting a second plane setup this year. AeroSki 1500, 1800 & 2000 are approved for the 7GCBC. 1500's would be OK for some snow conditions, a bit on the small side.

Hello everyone, I've just joined the club as well with a 1973 7GCBC.

I used to instruct seaplane ratings with a J-3, instructed aerobatics with a Decathlon, flew Scouts and GCBC on floats and wheels, landed on my fair share of beaches - even with 5:00x5 tires.

I've been scouring the posts on this forum for the obvious improvements that can be done to an old 7GCBC for that off-airport enjoyment. Keeping the weight down is pretty high on priority. The short list of questions I have here are the ones I couldn't find the answer to, but probably someone on the forum has already considered or done:

-Bigger tires, 8.50x6, 4 ply
-Remove vacuum tube from left fuselage and install electric T&B (needed for night flying)
-Replace those hard white plastic stick grips with the plushy foam ones, and add a PPT button at the same time
-Replace starter with B&C, save weight
-Replace battery with an Odyssey 680, or why not go whole hog with a Shorai LFX36L3 battery (chemistry LiFePO4) 36 AH, 540CCA, weighs 5lbs so can go on the firewall. The ECA I flew had the 680 on the firewall. Anybody do this with a GCBC yet?
-Remove speaker box and hand microphone mount (like dial telephones, two leads for a headset are a quaint anachronism, will the aviation industry ever go to a single plug like a helicopter?)
-Replace fire-extinguisher with a smaller lighter one - the ones in the Decathlon were always looking for a skylight to exit through.
-Install a skylight - not sure how hard this is to do but the window itself is cheap
-Hacksaw the "whisker" VOR antenna, unless there is a pain-free way of removing it without a refabric job. An iPhone is a better nav instrument.
-What about the instrument panel -it's got one of those funky wood-grain tall (6-pack 3 1/8" instruments with a row of 2 1/4" underneath, plus the big radio box on the right side). Like an avocado colored appliance in the kitchen. I really like the lower, light grey ones of the newer ECA. Big job to change or little job?

I have a 76 GCBC, and I'm by no means an expert on it, but I do have a couple mods you have mentioned.
I have a skytec lightweight starter and it works great. I have a skylight, and couldn't imagine the plane without it. My VOR antennas are gone, removed and a fabric patch put where they were. Nothing wrong with a patches on fabric...
I have a nice small light fire extinguisher mounted between my feet. I am currently running 31x13x6 ABWs and a baby bush wheel. My AME and I have discussed the battery issue. I'm thinking of going to a light firewall mount one so I can put extended baggage in, which are both great mods. My control stick have the foam grips and ptt in front and back.
As far as the panel goes, I have an electric t&b. Plane never had a vacuum system in it. I don't have a dg, or ah, as they are fairly expensive in the electric versions. My panel is a shorter one, can't get a 6 pack in it, but I would like to get a taller one. Mostly because I'd like to put a jpi edm930 in it to replace all my primary guages with a nice digital screen. But the screen requires a taller panel... but for now the short one works just great.
Hope that helps a bit.
David

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A1Skinner wrote: My panel is a shorter one, can't get a 6 pack in it, but I would like to get a taller one. Mostly because I'd like to put a jpi edm930 in it to replace all my primary guages with a nice digital screen. But the screen requires a taller panel... but for now the short one works just great.
Hope that helps a bit.
David

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I'd like to do the same thing with mine, but possibly with the EI MVP-50. Similar prove but with some nice additional features.

Extended baggage compartment is a new one to me. Does an STC or drawings exist anywhere? I guess it would need the baggage door at the same time. I've heard of a metalized belly skin as well, anybody got more info on that?

I see the aluminum gear legs are good for 13 lbs saving, 30 vs 43. Any advantage of aluminum over steel for rough strips?