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Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB (Read 14253 times)

Canuck No Posts Yet Offline The only time you have too much gas is when your on fire! Posts: 5 Location: British Columbia Joined: Jan 2^nd, 2004 Gender:	Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Jan 2^nd, 2004 at 8:41pm	Print Post
	Hi everyone: My name is Ken Hemmerling from British Columbia BC. Own a C180 that I keep on floats year around. (Its up on the bank mid Nov to end of Mar) Recently retired and looking to move into a smaller and lighter A/C. (Something that will qualify for our Owner Maintenance program.) Got a line on a 61 Champ 7GCB with a 150 hp but would like some input from people that fly them. First of all how serious is this wood spar thing? Should it be purchased with the idea that they are to be changed to metal? I would like to get ski's for it. Which type is best? Also what float would be best suited for it?


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Eric Hutchins YaBB Moderator Offline I hunt, fish, and fly a Scout Posts: 285 Location: Grand Rapids, MN Joined: Oct 25^th, 2002 Gender:	Re: Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Reply #1 - Jan 3^rd, 2004 at 9:15am	Print Post
	The Champion Challenger you refer to is considered by some the best plane of the Champ line. It has the classic lines and is light with the 0320 engine. Basicly a hot rod Champ. They are good performers and roomy compared to the Cubs. I believe the PK1800 float would be your choice. Possibly the Edo 2000 but I am quite certain the PK is approved and the �better match. For skis I would think any 2000 should be adequette. I would rather be over-skied than under so if there are any 1800's around, which are quite rare, pass and go to a wide bottom Federal 2000 or Aero 2000 which are very common. The wood spar issue is a dead horse beaten to death. The Champs and many others have flown for 60 years. Many out of barns with lack of maintenance. A qualified mechanic and proper inspection will be required. If it passes and the spars get the mechanics signature, I wouldn't worry. Since you are over 100 hp you will also need to inspect once a year at annual. No biggie. Many folks when rebuilding a wing go with new wood spars if replacement was required instead of metal spars. They (wood) will last the life of the a/c like all the others wood spars have done so before. Wood has benefits over the metal spar which I wont get into here. If you go to the Bellanca website at www.bellanca-championclub.com there is lot of spar information. There were a few wing failures due to spar fracture. Those were mostly in the Scout 8GCBC, and one 7GCBC Citabria. Most of these cases involved airbatics or loading the wing, a missed banner tow/pickup, and a rapid pullup during fish spotting activity. Stressing these wings which are longer and in a/c with bigger engines and not approved for airbatics such is the (Scout) was the NTSB ananlysis. As far as I know there is not a single wing failure doccumented to spar fracture in the Champ lineup. That encompasses 1000's and 1000's of production a/c. Buy the 7GCB!!!! Tail winds--~~````*** Eric
	« Last Edit: Jan 3^rd, 2004 at 4:53pm by Eric Hutchins »
	If you need a reason to fly then sell your plane. Way to many pilots out there with a bowl of fruit sitting on their cowling.
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BillRusk Some Posts Offline Supercub on Aeroski 2000, and J-3 on fed 1500's Posts: 58 Location: Poplar Grove (near Rockford, IL) Airpark Joined: Jan 6^th, 2003 Gender:	Re: Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Reply #2 - Jan 3^rd, 2004 at 4:41pm	Print Post
	Well said, Eric. I agree with it all. (not that my opinion matters) Bill


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Bruno Guest	Re: Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Reply #3 - Jan 4^th, 2004 at 1:41pm	Print Post
	Great input Eric Would the federal 1500A skis fit on this Champ GCB? Are they approved? This is the size I use on my 7ECA and works just fine... Bruno


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Eric Hutchins YaBB Moderator Offline I hunt, fish, and fly a Scout Posts: 285 Location: Grand Rapids, MN Joined: Oct 25^th, 2002 Gender:	Re: Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Reply #4 - Jan 4^th, 2004 at 3:45pm	Print Post
	Bruno, The 7GCB has a higher gross. I am sure the 1500 ski would work fine for 99% of the time. Deep powder may require the higher flotation. An STC search shows the Aero M1500, M1800, and M2000 ski approved. Wipaire which bought the Federal Ski rights has only the 2000 and 3000 listed. I looked at your weather these past days. Rather chilly up there. We have your weather now knocking on out doorstep. -30F predicted for lows and highs around -5F these next few days. Hope you enjoy your ski flying up in the Territory. I know that you love those early pale pink sunsets on those cold days. I bet you've seen a few sun-dogs also this winter. Regards, Eric

	If you need a reason to fly then sell your plane. Way to many pilots out there with a bowl of fruit sitting on their cowling.
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Bruno Guest	Re: Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Reply #5 - Jan 4^th, 2004 at 3:58pm	Print Post
	Yup!! It is cold all right and windy!!! However I managed to put 18 hours of ski flying during the holiday season (a little over 2 weeks off work). January and February are usually reaaaaaaaaaaaally cold months and not much ski flying anticipated then...Will make up in March and early April. So the GCB has a gross weigth of 1800 lbs then? Nice. Cheers Bruno


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Eric Hutchins YaBB Moderator Offline I hunt, fish, and fly a Scout Posts: 285 Location: Grand Rapids, MN Joined: Oct 25^th, 2002 Gender:	Re: Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Reply #6 - Jan 4^th, 2004 at 4:10pm	Print Post
	Bruno, You have some good time ski time already accomplished this winter. Here is some information to compare. American Champion 7GCB Horsepower: 150.0000 Gross Weight: 1650 lbs Top Speed: 109 kts Empty Weight: 1050 lbs Cruise Speed: 103 kts Fuel Capacity: 37.00 gal Stall Speed (dirty): 37 kts Range: 411 nm Takeoff Landing Ground Roll: 366 ft Ground Roll 320 ft Over 50 ft obstacle: 617 ft Over 50 ft obstacle: 718 ft Rate Of Climb: 1140 fpm Ceiling: 18100 American Champion 7ECA Horsepower: 115.0000 Gross Weight: 1650 lbs Top Speed: 109 kts Empty Weight: 1067 lbs Cruise Speed: 107 kts Fuel Capacity: 35.00 gal Stall Speed (dirty): 44 kts Range: 301 nm Takeoff Landing Ground Roll: 450 ft Ground Roll 400 ft Over 50 ft obstacle: 716 ft Over 50 ft obstacle: 775 ft Rate Of Climb: 725 fpm Ceiling: 12000 ft American Champion 7GCBC Horsepower: 150.0000 Gross Weight: 1650 lbs Top Speed: 113 kts Empty Weight: 1150 lbs Cruise Speed: 111 kts Fuel Capacity: 35.00 gal Stall Speed (dirty): 39 kts Range: 480 nm Takeoff Landing Ground Roll: 296 ft Ground Roll 310 ft Over 50 ft obstacle: 457 ft Over 50 ft obstacle: 690 ft Rate Of Climb: 1145 fpm Ceiling: 17000 ft

	If you need a reason to fly then sell your plane. Way to many pilots out there with a bowl of fruit sitting on their cowling.
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Bruno Guest	Re: Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Reply #7 - Jan 10^th, 2004 at 5:12pm	Print Post
	Eric How do you do a STC search on a specific aircraft model? Bruno Had the heater on in the plane all night and was ready to go in the morning....light snow falling all day..stayed home...will try again tomorrow!


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Eric Hutchins YaBB Moderator Offline I hunt, fish, and fly a Scout Posts: 285 Location: Grand Rapids, MN Joined: Oct 25^th, 2002 Gender:	Re: Help! Looking for info. on a Champ 7GCB Reply #8 - Jan 10^th, 2004 at 5:19pm	Print Post
	Bruno, http://www1.faa.gov/certification/aircraft/stc1.htm After this site comes up you go into the database. There will be ways to search. Using STC#, or make and model, or the STC holder whether it be American Champion Aircraft or Whipaire Float, or whatever. Sometimes a simple search STC search is difficult because companies have been bought and sold and are now under a new name with those rights. If you look under 7ECA alot of stuff comes up. Even though you may have a Champion or Bellanca, sometimes these all show up under American Champion. Good Luck and keep that fire Lit!!! Eric

	If you need a reason to fly then sell your plane. Way to many pilots out there with a bowl of fruit sitting on their cowling.
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