Battson wrote:Another vote for fuel injection, having spent a lot of hours with both as a private pilot / owner, I would never look back.

Fuel injection on aircraft is simple, reliable, more powerful, and safer (no carb ice, etc).

People complain about hot starts, but I have found the revere is true in many aircraft I've been around or flown. Both hot and cold starts are easy once you know how. Besides, at least injected engines are easy to start when cold - carbs can be an absolute nightmare in very cold conditions, again it will depend on the knowledge level of the operator.

Not to be a dick, but the Bendix style injection can definitely ice up, as it uses a venturi to meter the fuel. Not as likely, but I've seen it, so definitely not impossible.
I love citbarias, have a fair amount of time in a GCBC, and looking hard at one right now for my GF and oldest daughter to use for training, and just for me to have fun with. Cheaper, easier, and more fun to just go fart around in then the 206 is. Personally I'd stay carbed. MoGas and simplicity are the 2 biggest factors for me. And if you have the option, flaps are nice. nice to be able to get the extra lift on skis especially.

Timely resurrection of this post. Been looking for something to put around with and was thinking a nice Champ. After a Champ deal fell through due to inadequate maintenance, decided spending more on a more capable Citabria might be the way to go. I have a bunch of time in ECAs and wouldn't have turned down a good one, but like the extra power of the 150hp versions. Was planning to go with a GCBC or a 7GCAA for carb and simplicity, but may have found a nicely setup KCAB with a fresh engine, factory wings for two adults and full fuel, and enough avionics to fit my needs. Fingers crossed.

I owned a 7kcab with fuel injection. The only downside is that it was not approved for auto fuel. It would be hard to start when hot due to vapor locking. It could stay inverted for a short time. I did fly it into Johnson Creek with no issues. I would stay with a carburetor and burn non-ethanol auto fuel. Great planes.

As was noted earlier, all the 7 series Champs have pretty low useful load. Depending on the size of occupants, it may be too much with full fuel. Do some research on the plane you are considering buying.

Fuel Injection vs carb?? On these planes, the primary difference is no need for carb heat on FI planes.

I love Champs, other than the above noted limited useful load. The no bounce gear of the early ones is great.

Power: Depending on what you want to do, and where you live, power may be a big issue or not. If you live, as I do, at 4500 msl, power is king. If you live close to sea level, not so much. That said, I flew a 90 hp Cub out of here for five years. Had it to 14,000 feet coming out of Johnson Creek.....

Flaps: Similar to above. If floats or skis are in your future, go for flaps.....they really do help. Otherwise, they are very nice to have..

7KCAB vs 7GCBC: If I'm not mistaken, the KCAB has a slightly different wing airfoil than the GCBC, but I'm not sure about that. In any case, a 7KCAB would not be my first, second or third choice.

MTV

mtv wrote:
7KCAB vs 7GCBC: If I'm not mistaken, the KCAB has a slightly different wing airfoil than the GCBC, but I'm not sure about that. In any case, a 7KCAB would not be my first, second or third choice.

MTV

7KCAB, is basically a GCAA with an inverted fuel? Oil system. They have the same airfoil according to the POH, but the GCBC has flaps… too many letters.

Pete

Bring back the "no bounce" gear, it's great.

mtv wrote:

7KCAB vs 7GCBC: If I'm not mistaken, the KCAB has a slightly different wing airfoil than the GCBC, but I'm not sure about that. In any case, a 7KCAB would not be my first, second or third choice.

MTV

The 7KCAB uses the same NACA 4412 airfoil as the GCBC, easily confused as the 8KCAB does indeed employ a different airfoil to improve aerobatic capability (aerobatic capability being a relative term).

The 7GCBC has more wing area compared to the 7KCAB as its wingspan (7GCBC) is approximately a foot longer. The 8GCBC wingspan is longer yet with an additional 1.5' approx. (8 series on its own TCDS)

Keep it simple, pass on the injection, stick with carburetors.

And yes, research is paramount.

TR