What better way to wrap up the holidays than a trip to Rochester, Wisconsin to visit American Champion Aircraft? Me being there was actually to drop off a fuselage frame that was in need of tubing repairs but having a chance to visit was almost as good as bringing home a new project! I didn't take nearly enough photos but here's what I've got.
Turning onto Airport Rd, here's the first indication that you've arrived at the American Champion Aircraft Company (from inside the truck, the dank weather didn't curb my enthusiasm!)
There are three shop buildings and then an office/hangar across from them.
This is Pat, he is the shop manager and a very patient, friendly guy. Considering my high level of caffeination and my out of control excitement, he was a good sport (he's on the left).
Just like that we're in the Citabria/Decathlon world's inner sanctum, the wing shop.......shiny new parts, just look at them! lol
Decathlon rib blanks before being stamped into their final shape
While walking around with Pat I saw something funky looking on the wall, airfoiled horizontal stabilizers sections. They go on the 8GCBC Scout only to improve low speed handling for STOL operations. Pat said they tried a set on the Super Decathlon and they didn't make much of a difference which is odd because the acro world has gone nuts over airfoiled tail feathers.
New stringers laid out on a work table, yup, hardware store polyurethane is what they use
Enter the welding shop and there they are, the original 1946 fuselage welding jigs......I had to take a minute to sit with them and just reflect on airplanes, life, the universe....simple stuff like that
Continuing through the shop brought us to the area where the Decathlon fuel tanks are made. The first photo shows the tubes that cross through the tank (for drag wires/tubes) and the baffle that they pass through inside the tank. Earlier ACA tanks had issues with cracking that were related to the baffles but the current tank design uses larger holes in the baffle (so the fuel can pass through more easily while still not sloshing in the tank), more attach/weld points (the rectangular slots in the tank skin), and a different grade of aluminum from what was originally used.
My rental truck backed up to the building
Shimmyless tailwheel spring/damper assemblies, single and dual spring for different applications
Dale and Jerry, Dale has been there for 32 years, has done flight testing and certification flights, is currently doing tech support and a lot of other things. Jerry, I think, is the owner's son, managing partner.....something like that, but he's there every day running the show. Yes, I basically pulled up to the building, walked in, and was there shooting the shit with the owner and the owner's right hand man right after walking in the door. Having ACA royalty in front of me I had to ask, "So when will see the Citabria Pro being re-released?" Answer: it isn't ever coming back. What I didn't know, the Citabria Pro and its symmetrical airfoil were designed and flown BEFORE the Decathlon. Jerry explained the Citabria Pro flew like crap and taught the Bellanca design team a lot of "don't do this" lessons before they went on to design the Decathlon making for a better Decathlon. The Citabria Pro was given to EAA for their museum but EAA sold it (!!!) and it's out there flying somewhere, maybe in Florida? If anyone knows the owner, please PM me his contact info and I'll hound him for a ride and a pilot report for all y'all. It's the least I can do!
That's Dale on the left, Jerry on the right. They stood there patiently waiting while my phone shut itself off not once but twice and had to be restarted each time. Everybody was just awesome to meet and speak with.
Last but not least, I met Chad in the parts department. No photo but if you're an owner and have called to get parts, he's just as friendly in person and happy to help/
We are very fortunate as a community of owners/pilots/enthusiasts to be supported by a highly functioning factory that is staffed with people that really understand and appreciate our enthusiasm (insanity, in my case) towards their products!!
If you're planning a stop at the shop or have been there already, please feel free to add your experiences and photos below.
Turning onto Airport Rd, here's the first indication that you've arrived at the American Champion Aircraft Company (from inside the truck, the dank weather didn't curb my enthusiasm!)
There are three shop buildings and then an office/hangar across from them.
This is Pat, he is the shop manager and a very patient, friendly guy. Considering my high level of caffeination and my out of control excitement, he was a good sport (he's on the left).
Just like that we're in the Citabria/Decathlon world's inner sanctum, the wing shop.......shiny new parts, just look at them! lol
Decathlon rib blanks before being stamped into their final shape
While walking around with Pat I saw something funky looking on the wall, airfoiled horizontal stabilizers sections. They go on the 8GCBC Scout only to improve low speed handling for STOL operations. Pat said they tried a set on the Super Decathlon and they didn't make much of a difference which is odd because the acro world has gone nuts over airfoiled tail feathers.
New stringers laid out on a work table, yup, hardware store polyurethane is what they use
Enter the welding shop and there they are, the original 1946 fuselage welding jigs......I had to take a minute to sit with them and just reflect on airplanes, life, the universe....simple stuff like that
Continuing through the shop brought us to the area where the Decathlon fuel tanks are made. The first photo shows the tubes that cross through the tank (for drag wires/tubes) and the baffle that they pass through inside the tank. Earlier ACA tanks had issues with cracking that were related to the baffles but the current tank design uses larger holes in the baffle (so the fuel can pass through more easily while still not sloshing in the tank), more attach/weld points (the rectangular slots in the tank skin), and a different grade of aluminum from what was originally used.
My rental truck backed up to the building
Shimmyless tailwheel spring/damper assemblies, single and dual spring for different applications
Dale and Jerry, Dale has been there for 32 years, has done flight testing and certification flights, is currently doing tech support and a lot of other things. Jerry, I think, is the owner's son, managing partner.....something like that, but he's there every day running the show. Yes, I basically pulled up to the building, walked in, and was there shooting the shit with the owner and the owner's right hand man right after walking in the door. Having ACA royalty in front of me I had to ask, "So when will see the Citabria Pro being re-released?" Answer: it isn't ever coming back. What I didn't know, the Citabria Pro and its symmetrical airfoil were designed and flown BEFORE the Decathlon. Jerry explained the Citabria Pro flew like crap and taught the Bellanca design team a lot of "don't do this" lessons before they went on to design the Decathlon making for a better Decathlon. The Citabria Pro was given to EAA for their museum but EAA sold it (!!!) and it's out there flying somewhere, maybe in Florida? If anyone knows the owner, please PM me his contact info and I'll hound him for a ride and a pilot report for all y'all. It's the least I can do!
That's Dale on the left, Jerry on the right. They stood there patiently waiting while my phone shut itself off not once but twice and had to be restarted each time. Everybody was just awesome to meet and speak with.
Last but not least, I met Chad in the parts department. No photo but if you're an owner and have called to get parts, he's just as friendly in person and happy to help/
We are very fortunate as a community of owners/pilots/enthusiasts to be supported by a highly functioning factory that is staffed with people that really understand and appreciate our enthusiasm (insanity, in my case) towards their products!!
If you're planning a stop at the shop or have been there already, please feel free to add your experiences and photos below.
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