7EC

N

Neoflyer

Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2020
Messages
18
I’m looking for a Lycoming powered 7EC. Usefull load is very important. I’d appreciate some of the 7EC owners posting what your empty weights are so I can get and idea of what to expect?
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Dunno about Lycoming 7ECs, but a Lycoming 7ECA Iis a very nice aircraft with a limited payload. As I understand it, if you want payload, the 8GCBC is the one.
 
Edit button no work.

From factory specs, the Lycoming 7BCGC has a useful load of 510 lbs. Of course those flaps add to the empty weight, but you get the idea.
 
Yeah - flaps add 20 lbs. expect a maximum of 530 lbs useful load, before you add radios and GPS. A lightweight starter and generator will save you about 15 lbs, and aluminum gear another 14.
 
Sully said:
My 7ECA w/O-200 and Millman Spars is 1062 lbs.
Click to expand...
I could never find out the difference between 7EC and 7ECA. That being said I had an O-200 powered Citabria that weighed 1045#. I don’t want the O-320 engine ones because they burn more fuel and I just want to putz around the area. Plus the big engine Citabrias have less useful load but need to carry more fuel thus less payload. I weigh 200# and want to carry another adult. I realize I will need to reduce fuel but would like to carry at least 25 gallons. I’m looking at one that weighs 1115# and was wondering if that’s about normal or might I find other 115 hp ones that weigh less?
 
aftCG said:
Without Milman you would be under 1000 pounds
Click to expand...
are you saying the aluminum spars add weight? that's not necessarily true, it all depends on what's on the plane when you start and to what degree the builder packs on the paint and other changes in the process of doing the conversion. I lost weight doing mine, a few things were changed but the total weight represented a reduction when it was done.

My O-235 7ECA has about 455 pounds of useful load remaining once full fuel and oil are onboard.
 
A 455# payload with max fuel would be outstanding. Much better than any other 7 ECA I’ve seen.

The ACA metal spar conversion brings with it the possibility of a 100# gross weight increase but I’ve heard that can be eaten up by an empty weight increase from the conversion itself. Is that true?
 
The difference, as near as I can tell, is the 7EC is an Aeronca, with rounded tail and wingtips. The ECA is a Citabria with squared off surfaces.
 
Neoflyer said:
A 455# payload with max fuel would be outstanding. Much better than any other 7 ECA I’ve seen.

The ACA metal spar conversion brings with it the possibility of a 100# gross weight increase but I’ve heard that can be eaten up by an empty weight increase from the conversion itself. Is that true?
Click to expand...

Milman spars don't allow for a gross weight increase, only the factory metal spar wings do that for you.
 
Bartman said:
Milman spars don't allow for a gross weight increase, only the factory metal spar wings do that for you.
Click to expand...
I’m aware of that. My question is does the factory, ACA, metal spar increase the empty weight of the aircraft therefore negating any or all of the 100# gross weight increase? I know the decision to go with the metal spar isn’t made to get the gross weight increase but it might be a factor.
 
Bartman said:
are you saying the aluminum spars add weight? that's not necessarily true, it all depends on what's on the plane when you start and to what degree the builder packs on the paint and other changes in the process of doing the conversion. I lost weight doing mine, a few things were changed but the total weight represented a reduction when it was done.

My O-235 7ECA has about 455 pounds of useful load remaining once full fuel and oil are onboard.
Click to expand...

So your plane weighs 980# empty. That’s the lowest I’ve heard of by a wide margin. The closest I know of was my O-200 one that weighed 1045# just after a rebuild.
 
Last edited:
I can understand your desire to be legal. The problem is these aircraft have limited payloads, and there really isn't much you can do about it. The 25 grand you will spend for metal spar wings would go a long way toward a better hauling airplane.

Say you net 90 lbs for that 25 grand. You can get another 40 lbs or so by going wooden prop, aluminum gear, and lightweight engine accessories. That's probably 8 grand, not counting labor.

You could do what a lot of folks do, and carry sample weight and balance forms with you ("See, sir? We have only 9 1/2 gallons on board and I only weigh 185. My partner here is 180"). The airplane knows you are lying through your teeth, but unless you live in Denver the aircraft won't know that.
 
Okay - that last sentence makes no sense, and I cannot edit from this iPad.

What I meant was your paperwork shows a legal operation, keeping you out of trouble. The airplane can handle a bit more, assuming you are really 195 lbs and have 25 gallons on board. My Decathlon is similarly limited - the Greek (115) and me (195) and full fuel leaves not enough room for a toothbrush. My sample w/b shows 20 gallons and baggage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top