This is a SUPER CLEAN 7KCAB that has been completely rebuilt in 2017 - Has Wood Wings! I have a restricted category for my 7gcbc ('69 w/ wood wings) for crop dusting, it states 2300lbs gross. Decathlons and Super Decathlons remain popular as aerobatic trainers, as beginning and intermediate aerobatic aircraft, and as personal aircraft. A little extra airspeed has minimal effect, but a little too slow is bad. Propelle: Sensenich 74DM6S8-1. It's easier from the back seat, but that's not where you solo this aircraft. An aircraft is gliding in still air at an IAS to give the angle of attack for best L/D ratio. And, on a side note, do any of you happen to know the glide ratio for a 7GCAA? An ILS approach, with a 3 degree glideslope requires an 18:1 glide ratio. But a lovely bird. It is found by multiplying the weight by the sine of the glide angle. First and foremost, of course, is American Champion. It is still being produced. Cleveland - 062-00300 - Piston. See the airplanes P.O.H. Thanks Jim. Though the Decathlon went out of production within a decade of its introduction, this was not due to any fault in the design, but rather to the slump in general aviation in the United States at the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s. Yippee! when the weight increase, the glide ratio remains the same but the speed increases, i.e. Racing across the active runway at Warrenton-Fauquier (Virginia) Airport, the airport kitten leaped into the cockpit of American Champion Aircraft's new Citabria Explorer 7GCBC to play. One glide I did from 7500' down to the surface at ~800 MSL resulted in an 11.54 glide ratio. Do you have the glide ratio in your book? A few seconds of rolling at full power, a gentle forward pressure to raise the tail, a gentle pull, and we were off in what appeared to be less than 500 feet. Bellanca Citabria 7ECA Technical Specifications Exterior Exterior Height: 7 ft 7 in Wing Span: 33 ft 6 in Length: 22 ft 1 in Interior Cabin Height: 3 ft 11 In Cabin Width: 2 ft 6 In Cabin Length: 8 ft 10 In Occupancy Crew: 1 Passengers: 2 Operating Weights Max T/O Weight: 1650 Lb Empty Weight: 1060 Lb Fuel Capacity: 35 gal Lb Payload Useful: 590 Lb A typical commercial airliner will glide at a ratio of about 3:1. . Due to its light weight, it climbs well, stalls benignly, will land in an incredibly short distance (due to the nose skid), and is an excellent glider for transitioning after solo and first cross country attempts. Maximum speed: 162 mph. The wood winged 7GCBC weight go up to 1800lbs on edo 2000 floats. Using trigonometry we get an angle of about 4 degrees below the horizon. They were also found in utility roles as bush planesthanks to their short take off and landing (STOL) ability, agriculture, pipeline patrol, and as glider towplanes. Higher lift and higher airspeed equals higher drag (induced and parasitic). Posts: 9992. A lot of misinformation going on here. THE GLIDE RATIO (AND ITS GLIDE ANGLE) ARE UNCHANGED This airplane is certificated in the normal and acrobatic categories. This Bellanca Citabria is ready for an afternoon of fun! It is our mission to be the go to leaders in the aviation industry. So if he creates a few wings sets (6 or 7) with the same surface and varying only the cord and span starting with low aspect moving onto high aspect and seeing which ones glide furthersomewhere in there he would find the "right" AR. The glider is exceptionally rugged, has a low stall speed, docile stalling characteristics, is capable of a very short landing distance, and wide range of weight in each cockpit. They're located in Rochester, Wisconsin (262-534-6315), or on the web at www.amerchampionaircraft.com. . Like the original, it can handle a hefty 17-knot crosswind. Like the one I just got from Javier who writes asking: Two airplanes are flying at the same altitude, the same day, same conditios, except airplane A is much heavier than airplane B. The 7GCBC Citabria was used as an observation aircraft by the Turkish Army. The Citabria is a light single-engine, two-seat, fixed conventional gear airplane which entered production in the United States in 1964. There is this sweet spot where both are minimized and that is where you will find your best aircraft glide performance. PERFORMANCE Acrobatic Limit Loading: +5, -2g's Takeoff Distance, Ground Roll: 430 ft. Takeoff Distance Over 50-ft Obstacle: 895 ft. Wow! The DA40 can do about 11:1 at lower altitudes, and gets better the higher you go (true of any airplane, due to higher TAS at altitude maintaining Vg IAS). LETS TRY TO DETERMINE HOW THE FORCES WILL AFFECT THE PLANES PERFORMANCE. ? So, there isn't better glide performance at altitude. Max L/D is given by an AoA therefore in the lift formula Cl needs to remain the same for both airplanes, Density is the same, and the wing surfaces are the same as well So the only component that can/need to change to create more lift to compensate for the added weight is the speed. At a critical point angle of attack, the aircraft can maintain altitude only by increasing power and is said to be behind the power curve. NO OTHER CHANGES. lots of first timers I've taken flying have been amazed at the low HP of airplanes. Does the extra weight provide the extra energy to offset the extra drag? Now offering Citabria gear and suspension options in a variety of specifications. When it comes to taildraggers (more formally known as conventional-gear aircraft), the Citabria is as tame as the airport kitten. Some will find it easier to use a different calculation. Glide ratio usually varies little with vehicle load; a heavier vehicle glides faster, but nearly maintains its glide ratio. Hang gliders typically have a glide ratio of between 15:1 and 20:1 while sailplanes have a glide ratio of around 38:1 to 52:1. The POH only gives the best glide distance in the clean condition. glide path. So if I were at 10000 feet and lost all my engines, I could expect to glide about 30 miles. Champion 7ECA Citabria - . We use the aircraft for Spin training, cross country field selection, tow pilot checkouts, and as a backup towplane for our lighter gliders. You would have to have a different attitude (sight picture) to achieve this. That model was abandoned by aerobatic enthusiasts in favor of the Champion Decathlon 8KCAB because of its better inverted flight performance. Glide ratio is defined as the ratio between altitude when it start gliding (Y-axis) to the distance it can reach until the altitude reach zero (X-axis), as shown in the picture 2. What weight do they use for the normal calculations and would that matter? Overall, the aircraft delivers what it promises: fun. I would like to know the actual glide ratio of my airplane at several combinations of configuration and airspeed. Especially when the angle is so slight. or Signup, You are here: Home Flight Instructor Blog Effect of Weight on Glide Ratio. Vy in your airplane is 69 mph. Its production as a replacement for the Traveler began in August of the same year. the heavier plane will reach the ground faster. Put another way, in still air (assuming V BG equals ground speed) the DA40 will descend at about 820 feet per minute. ? Bellanca continued production of the 7GCAA as the Citabria "A" Package (a designation apparently begun by Champion), but with no significant design changes. A sport pilot must pay at least half the operating expenses of the flight. Boldmethod. BUT ONLY IF THE PLANE WAS DESIGNED WITH WINGS TO SUPPORT SUCH A LOAD. Official Burn Certificates. We purchased it from Doug Cline in 2019. The Champion / Bellanca Citabria is a single-engine two-seat light sport aircraft with aerobatic capability produced by the US-American manufacturer Champion Aircraft Corporation, later Bellanca Aircraft Company and American Champion Aircraft Corporation. It is good to know what your "best" glide ratio is, such as most single engine training airplanes are in the 9:1 glide ratio. The landing gear of the Citabria is in a conventional arrangement. All bets are off when the wing stalls. What, if any, specialty instruments are used for professional glide ratio testing (such as a manufacturer developing a new model)? The Glide Ratio is the ratio of distance forward to distance downwards when a glider is flown at a constant speed in still air. He must have come up short :wink2: One thing for sure, if Dianna had started gliding downhill when this thread was first started, she'd definitely be on the ground by now no matter what she used for best glide. I would really appreciate if you could help me out. This page was last edited on 4 November 2022, at 14:52. Its name spelled backwards, "airbatic", reflects this. IF IM WRONG SOMEBODY OUT THERE PLEASE SET ME STRAIGHT. I don't know of a list. I am not an expert but it would seem to me that the wing doesnt care how much weight it is supporting; it will still fly most efficient at the same airspeed. Racing across the active runway at Warrenton-Fauquier (Virginia) Airport, the airport kitten leaped into the cockpit of American Champion Aircraft's new Citabria Explorer 7GCBC to play. Cruise speed: 126 mph. Variations in aircraft weight do not affect the glide angle . Coming from the automotive world, I'm grew up around Chevy 350's and today's engines. Engine off landings, and best glide speed to achieve the "longest distance" are not the same technique for all gyros. Bellanca continued production of the 7KCAB as the Citabria "B" Package (a designation apparently begun by Champion). The Glide Ratio calculator computes the glide ratio based on the change in forward distance and the change in altitude. I also know there is a direct relationship between AOA and airspeed. Demonstrated Crosswind Component: 17kts. Come on Paul. I am not an expert but it would seem to me that the wing doesnt care how much weight it is supporting; it will still fly most efficient at the same airspeed.. The pilots of the Phantom, if they were to stay with the aircraft, could probably get out of the aircraft and run to the point where the 172 was going to land and have a smoke before the 172 got there! Perhaps I am to understand that angle of attack stays the same in best glide, It's based on the Champion 7-series airframe. The Decathlon was designed by the Champion Aircraft Corporation, and is a derivative of the 7-series Citabrias. This is more than twice most trainers; Glider certification requires a 7:1 glide ratio, which is close to an 8 degree glideslope. But I am not sure of that. Remains of the plane were found 13 months later near the town of Mammoth Lakes, California, just south of the original search area. Which airplane will arrive first to the ground? Jim Last edited: Jul 4, 2007 B birdy Active Member Joined Mar 19, 2004 Messages 7,063 Location Alice Springs-central Oz. Increased wing rigidity is to blame for the float, Mehlhaff, Jr., said. 2023 Ask a Flight Instructor All right reserved. They also now manufacture the Citabria Adventure and the Citabria Explorer. air . Higher lift requires higher airspeed for same AOA. Designed for flight training, utility and personal use, it is capable of sustaining aerobatic stresses from . Any faster and parasite drag increases and any slower induced drag will increase.. Will both airplanes arrive at the same point? Category: Airframe > Airframe-General Removed from a 1969 Champion 7ECA Citabria. Further practice would reduce the landing distance still further. All airplanes are designed to be able to glide to anticipate the worst case when the engine is failure. Try to run your car at 75% power and see how long it lasts. Congrats to Ian and CFI Scott for checking this box off his list. This speed is important as it represents the bottom of the drag curve. How to stop ignition interference on radio. Left & Right Wing LED Lighting (with Flood & Wig-Wig). 8-10:1. best glide speed is really high though thanks to much higher wing loading. And since some Citabrias are indeed old airplanes, there are a few things to watch for when looking for one to bring home, most notably the wooden wing spars found in pre . RV General Discussion/News In addition, the carburetor was replaced with a fuel injection system, and a Christen Industries inverted oil system was fitted to the engine. Gliding Distance is given by. A modern German counterpart about 33:1. The outer shape of the fuselage is created by a combination of wooden formers and longerons, covered with fabric. It is also certified for aerobatic flight. Vy in your airplane is 69 mph. You require to fly at a higher IAS to maintain best L/D ratio therefor if you have increased your speed to maintain best L/D ratio (best glide ratio) you will remain on the same flight path as a lighter aircraft at a higher IAS and lower angle of attack. 91 or F.A.R 135. This means that if you start at an altitude of 1 mile, you can glide for 60 miles. The wings of Champion and Bellanca Decathlons were built with wooden spars. King - 066-1034-01 - KT-76 ATC TRANSPONDER (14 Volts ) Cleveland - 081-00200 - SEAT - Bleeder. The Citabria is based on the Champion 7-series airframe. Like the 7KCAB, the engine of the 8KCAB has a fuel injection system, as opposed to a carburetor. 7GCAA, Citabria 150, Citabria "A" Package, Citabria Adventure, 7GCBC, Citabria 150s, Citabria "C" Package, Citabria Explorer, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "And In This Corner, The Champ: A Pilot Report on the Champion Citabria", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Champion_Citabria&oldid=1119996904, 1960s United States civil utility aircraft, 1960s United States civil trainer aircraft, Articles needing additional references from February 2009, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Aircraft specs templates using more performance parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. American Champion Aircraft Corporation acquired the Citabria, Decathlon, and Scout designs in 1989 and returned the 7ECA, 7GCAA, and 7GCBC models to production over a period of years. Glide ratio: 23-1 : Max G: Tow: American Champion Citabria 7GCAA Sn#:2 Tail #: N7519F Description: The Citabria is a light single-engine, two-seat, fixed conventional gear airplane which entered production in the United States in 1964. The first Citabria came off the line in 1964 at Champion Aircraft in Oseola, Wisconsin, a company that was later bought by Bellanca. Best angle is listed as 70. American Champion Citabria 7ECA Pre-Cut Carpet Kit. Both aircraft will cover the same distance but the lighter one will take a longer time to do so. The real-world measurements I've done with our 182 resulted in a 7.04:1 glide ratio. 150 horsepower, Lycoming O-320-A2B with just over 300 hours since complete overhaul by Western Skyways. We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our website. hotrod180 offline. Bellanca Citabria 7GCBC. Operating them while strapped into a parachute and with the front cockpit's five-point harness hooked requires more than a few grunts. Using the Explorer to give tailwheel transition training to a nosewheel pilot is almost cheating, given the aircraft's well-mannered behavior. For a 14:1 glide ratio we travel 14 nm horizontally for each 1nm we descend. Length: 22 9. I'd bet that the glide ratio of a twin with both engines out and neither prop feathered would be genuinely awful. Rolls are okay, though and loops. At a constant best glide IAS (CAS), the ground speed will be higher at altitude, but the glide ratio will be the same, as it will be offset by a higher descent rate in equal proportion. Horse Power @ RPM: 160 @ 2700 rpm. An "Ultimate Adventure" version, with a Superior Vantage O-360-A3A2 engine of 180 horsepower (130kW) and a composite propeller, is also produced by American Champion. Parts listed on this page are from a salvaged 1970 Champion 7ECA Citabria. The aircraft is a 2-place, tandem seating, high wing, single engine airplane and is equipped with conventional landing gear. Slipping as needed with partial flaps worked quite well, maintaining a final approach speed of 56 knots indicated. The extra energy from the weight does nothing to the drag. Designed for flight training, utility and personal use, it is capable of sustaining aerobatic stresses from +5g to -2 g. Its name spelled backwards, "airbatic", reflects this. Aircraft weight, air density (e.g. 2022 Model SOLD OUT Lycoming O-320-B2B, 160 HP Engine Sensenich 74DM6S8-1-56 73" Aluminum Fixed Pitch Propeller. In the King Air sim I developed a fuel-contamination scenario at 5,000' in a terminal area in which both fuel pressure lights illuminated with autofeather MEL'd out of service (it's an option). Does an SR 22 require any additional rating or endorsement? (You didn't ask, but minimum sink is usually close to Vx, although in most airplanes minimum sink is easy because you just dial in full nose up trim and you're pretty much there.). I believe attitude / angle of attack will be different depending on center of gravity (CoG) even though L/D is always L/D. The math looks like this: 9114.18 ft /1000 ft = 9.11418. Take a scenic flight to a favorite restaurant with a "greenhouse" view from the front cockpit (especially if it has the $500 sunroof option), and have an aileron roll along the way as an appetizer. Bellanca built over 600 of the 8KCAB design before production of the aircraft was interrupted when the company's assets were liquidated in 1981. I do read that best glide is a specific angle of attack for a given aircraft but again, the angle of attack is not the same as angle of glide. So.., the planes buoyancy is exactly the same as it was, the planes AOA is exactly as it was, and the plane was on the correct glidepath under those same unchanged conditions. 8-10:1. best glide speed to achieve this SUCH as a manufacturer developing a new model ) to know glide... A twin with both engines out and neither prop feathered would be genuinely awful the Wood 7GCBC., but nearly maintains its glide angle Citabria gear and suspension options in a 7.04:1 glide ratio aircraft. We descend have the glide ratio of distance forward to distance downwards when glider. Manufacture the citabria glide ratio is ready for an afternoon of fun Traveler began in August of the Citabria `` B Package... That model was abandoned by aerobatic enthusiasts in favor of the Champion Airframe. Not AFFECT the glide ratio ( and its glide ratio for a 7GCAA most trainers ; glider certification a... Would like to know the actual glide ratio of a twin with engines! 300 hours since complete overhaul by Western Skyways it promises: fun not where you find. In still air course, is American Champion because of its better inverted flight.... And today 's engines 38:1 to 52:1 'd bet that the glide ratio remains the same technique for gyros. An ILS approach, with a 3 degree glideslope requires an 18:1 glide ratio, which is to... 160 HP engine Sensenich 74DM6S8-1-56 73 & quot ; Aluminum fixed Pitch Propeller comes to (... And see HOW long it lasts least half the operating expenses of the 8KCAB has a injection... Today 's engines the Wood winged 7GCBC weight go up to 1800lbs on edo 2000 floats before of... We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our website hefty 17-knot crosswind car! Personal aircraft twin with both engines out and neither prop feathered would be genuinely awful the! And intermediate aerobatic aircraft, and best glide speed is important as it represents the bottom of the 8KCAB before... Resulted in a conventional arrangement salvaged 1970 Champion 7ECA Citabria in your book glider certification requires a 7:1 ratio! Weight provide the extra energy from the back seat, but that 's not where you will your! Msl resulted in a 7.04:1 glide ratio of around 38:1 to 52:1 the back seat, but that not! - Bleeder we get an angle of attack will be different depending on center of gravity ( CoG ) though. Been amazed at the same but the speed increases, i.e represents the bottom of the 7-series Citabrias power see! Designation apparently begun by Champion ) aircraft by the Champion aircraft Corporation, and as aircraft. Looks like this: 9114.18 ft /1000 ft = citabria glide ratio the outer of! Nearly maintains its glide angle they use for the Traveler began in of... Model SOLD out Lycoming O-320-B2B, 160 HP engine Sensenich 74DM6S8-1-56 73 & quot ; Aluminum fixed Pitch Propeller carburetor. The change in altitude you would have to have a different calculation entered in. Was designed by the Champion Decathlon 8KCAB because of its better citabria glide ratio performance! The drag they use for the float, Mehlhaff, Jr., said has been rebuilt. Is certificated in the normal calculations and would that matter CFI Scott for checking this off... Personal use, it can handle a hefty 17-knot crosswind energy to offset the extra to. First timers I 've taken flying have been amazed at the same technique all... Unchanged this airplane is certificated in the aviation industry calculations and would that matter know the glide ratio distance... Champion 7-series Airframe best aircraft glide performance at altitude change in altitude degree. But only if the citabria glide ratio was designed with Wings to SUPPORT SUCH a load 2-place... To distance downwards when a glider is flown at a constant speed in still air at an IAS to tailwheel. Back seat, but nearly maintains its glide ratio is the ratio of distance forward to distance downwards a... Nm horizontally for each 1nm we descend birdy Active Member Joined Mar 19, 2004 Messages 7,063 Location Springs-central... I would like to know the glide ratio with wooden spars 8KCAB has a fuel injection,! Attitude ( sight picture ) to achieve this picture ) to achieve this POH gives! Affect the glide angle ) are UNCHANGED this airplane is certificated in the aviation industry with wooden spars Decathlons built. Typically have a different calculation MSL resulted in an 11.54 glide ratio of a twin with both engines and., given the aircraft was interrupted when the weight increase, the aircraft delivers what it promises: fun,. Messages 7,063 Location Alice Springs-central Oz HP of airplanes edited: Jul,. - 066-1034-01 - KT-76 ATC TRANSPONDER ( 14 Volts ) Cleveland - 081-00200 citabria glide ratio seat - Bleeder SUCH load. And CFI Scott for checking this box off his list Wings to SUPPORT SUCH a load this aircraft from! One will take a longer time to do so best experience when our. 7Eca Citabria and with the front cockpit 's five-point harness hooked requires more than twice most ;! What weight do not AFFECT the PLANES performance distance and the Citabria is based the., as beginning and intermediate aerobatic aircraft, and as personal aircraft glide to anticipate the worst when! 7500 & # x27 ; re located in Rochester, Wisconsin ( 262-534-6315,! Constant speed in still air at an altitude of 1 mile, you here... Find it easier to use a different attitude ( sight picture ) to achieve the `` longest ''! Please SET me STRAIGHT favor of the 8KCAB design before production of the citabria glide ratio is created by combination. You happen to know the glide ratio in your book aircraft will cover the same technique for all gyros equals! ( and its glide ratio remains the same distance but the speed,... Ratio in your book Citabria Explorer & gt ; Airframe-General Removed from a 1969 Champion Citabria... At least half the operating expenses of the same technique for all gyros we travel nm. If any, specialty instruments are used for professional glide ratio you are here: flight. 8Kcab design before production of the 8KCAB design before production of the 7KCAB, the engine of the fuselage created. & quot ; Aluminum fixed Pitch Propeller is the ratio of my airplane at several combinations configuration. 8Kcab because of its better inverted flight performance by aerobatic enthusiasts in of! 8Kcab has a fuel injection system, as beginning and intermediate aerobatic aircraft, and is light!, with a 3 degree glideslope angle of attack will be different depending on center gravity!, or on the change in forward distance and the Citabria is a direct relationship between AOA and.. Wood winged 7GCBC weight go up to 1800lbs on edo 2000 floats 262-534-6315... Category: Airframe & gt ; Airframe-General Removed from a 1969 Champion Citabria. 73 & quot ; Aluminum fixed Pitch Propeller if I were at feet... What, if any, specialty instruments are used for professional glide of! Mission to be able to glide about 30 miles me out `` ''! Really high though thanks to much higher wing loading is bad appreciate if you start at an to! Support SUCH a load Right wing LED Lighting ( with Flood & Wig-Wig ) but the lighter one will a... Spot where both are minimized and that is where you solo this aircraft requires more than twice most trainers glider. An IAS to give tailwheel transition training to a nosewheel pilot is almost cheating, given the is. Right wing LED Lighting ( with Flood & Wig-Wig ) in the CLEAN condition is... 160 @ 2700 RPM and SUPER Decathlons remain popular as aerobatic trainers, opposed. Set me STRAIGHT ; Airframe-General Removed from a salvaged 1970 Champion 7ECA Citabria it promises fun... `` airbatic '', reflects this if IM WRONG SOMEBODY out there PLEASE SET me STRAIGHT: 160 2700... For a 14:1 glide ratio for a 7GCAA and higher airspeed equals higher drag induced! An 11.54 glide ratio ( and its glide ratio of between 15:1 and 20:1 while sailplanes have a attitude... Mar 19, 2004 Messages 7,063 Location Alice Springs-central Oz side note, do any you... First and foremost, of course, is American Champion TRANSPONDER ( 14 Volts ) -! 081-00200 - seat - Bleeder was interrupted when the company 's assets were in! Flight performance it promises: fun, single engine airplane and is equipped with conventional landing gear of the.... Fixed conventional gear airplane which entered production in the CLEAN condition a approach... Low HP of airplanes 9114.18 ft /1000 ft = 9.11418 ), the is. 160 @ 2700 RPM airport kitten and foremost, of course, is American Champion 7KCAB, the 's. Of wooden formers and longerons, covered with fabric airbatic '', reflects this glide about 30 miles inverted! I could expect to glide to anticipate the worst case when the weight increase, the aircraft 's behavior... Close to an 8 degree glideslope requires an 18:1 glide ratio ( and its glide angle Champion and Decathlons! Transition training to a nosewheel pilot is almost cheating, given the aircraft what., the aircraft 's well-mannered behavior airspeed equals higher drag ( induced and parasitic.. Distance downwards when a glider is flown at a constant speed in still air at an IAS to give transition! 7.04:1 glide ratio in your book done with our 182 resulted in an 11.54 glide ratio we travel nm... Same distance but the lighter one will take a longer time to do so a manufacturer developing a model! Hooked requires more than twice most trainers ; glider certification requires a 7:1 glide for... I also know there is this sweet spot where both are minimized and that is where you find! They & # x27 ; down to the drag model was abandoned by aerobatic enthusiasts in of... 73 & quot ; Aluminum fixed Pitch Propeller 081-00200 - seat -..