American Champion 7GCBC Explorer

The American Champion Aircraft Corporation of Wisconsin acquired the rights to the Champion Citabria and Champion Decathlon aircraft in 1989 from the Champion Aircraft Company Inc. of Texas. This company in turn had acquired the rights from the Bellanca Aircraft Corporation in 1982. Bellanca in turn had taken over production of the progenitors of these types from the Champion Aircraft Corporation of Wisconsin in 1954. The original manufacturer was the Aeronautical Corporation of America (Aeronca). The present company, American Champion Aircraft, produce the 8GCBC Scout (60+ built) first flown in 1991 powered by a 180hp(134kW) Lycoming O-360-C1G. It has a length of 23’0”(6.98m), height of 9’7”(2.9m) and a wingspan of 36’2”(10.98m). It has an empty weight of 1400lb(634kg) and a maximum take-off weight of 2150lb (976kg). The aerobatic 8KCAB Super Decathlon (100+ built) first flew in 1990 with a 180hp(134kW) Lycoming AEIO-360-H1B. It has a wingspan of 32’0”(9.71m), empty weight of 1340lb(607kg) and a maximum take-off weight of 1800lb(817kg). The American Champion 7ECA Citabria Aurora is the entry level/training version powered by a 118hp(88kW) Lycoming O-235-K2C. It has a wingspan of 33’6”(10.2m), empty weight of 1120lb(508kg) and a maximum take-off weight of 1650lb(749kg). The 7GCAA Citabria Adventure is powered by a 160hp(119kW) Lycoming O-320-B2B, has a wingspan of 33’5”(10.14m) and a maximum take-off weight of 1750lb(792kg). Full details of the earlier models will be found under their respective manufacturers’ names. An American Champion 8GCBC is illustrated below.

N45PP                    c/n 392-98                             

A Model 8KCAB is shown below.

N97LK                      c/n 792-97                            

A Model 7GCBC is shown below.                             

N397AC              c/n 1244-98                  USA

2 seat light aircraft first flown in 1993

Engine: 150hp(112kW) Lycoming O-320-A2B                                                                              Length: 22’8.5”(6.92m)                                                                                       Height: 7’8.5”(2.35m)Wingspan: 34’5”(10.49m)                                                                                               No.built: 50+ Range: 500miles(804km)                                                                Cruising speed: 123mph (198kmh) Empty weight: 1150lb(522kg)                                                 Maximum take-off weight: 1650lb(749kg)

Illustrated below is an example of the American Champion 7ECA Citabria Aurora.

                                          N278GT           c/n 137098

The American Champion 7GCAA Citabria Adventure is illustrated below.

                                           N747WM        c/n 476-2003

An example of the American Champion 8GCBC Scout is shown below.

                                      N495DB                  c/n 372-95            

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