Considering Making a Citabria/Decathlon IFR

Bob - unfortunately A21CE does specify an AFM for all models, starting back in '71. It lists the AFM as mandatory equipment for all models. See page 5 - which even lists the version of the AFM applicable by year. I've not researched the Decathlon flight manuals - but guessing that they're all restricted to VFR.
 
So I downloaded what is supposedly an early Bellanca owner's manual (pre 75). Supposedly, because it seems to simply removed the applicability page in the beginning which referenced Champion aircraft. Otherwise, it's identical to the Champion manual - with the additional exception that it's cover is now blue. See the operating limitations below - allowing IFR with optional equipment, and stating to disregard this section and go by placards in the plane. The manual from '75 onwards is different. While '75 onwards states the aircraft is approved for VFR day and night only, it too states that the final authority are placards in the aircraft. Hence why I'm curious if anyone has ever seen a placard in Bellanca aircraft limiting it to VFR only, and where would that placard come from if it's not in the CTDS?
That's why this is such a puzzle : there were no certification restrictions against IFR to begin with. Bellanca changed the wording in the owner's manual to say it's only approved VFR only - but states you should follow placards. Then in '79, the owner manual became the AFM - now required both by regs and the TCDS as mandatory equipment. So this contradictory limitation became codified, for absolutely no apparent reason. No one cared for like 3 decades until modern digital avionics make IFR viable.
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That is wide open. Just install the "additional optional equipment." Wish the Decathlon manual said that.
Again, I think it is the certification basis.
 
Bob Turner said:
Again, I think it is the certification basis.
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I agree. I think the last time we discussed, we concluded that aircraft certified under CAR had less stringent requirements, which is why some of the older Citabria variants could be made IFR, and why that same rationale would not work for aircraft certified under FAR, such as the Decathlon.
 
volvo164 said:
So I downloaded what is supposedly an early Bellanca owner's manual (pre 75). Supposedly, because it seems to simply removed the applicability page in the beginning which referenced Champion aircraft. Otherwise, it's identical to the Champion manual - with the additional exception that it's cover is now blue. See the operating limitations below - allowing IFR with optional equipment, and stating to disregard this section and go by placards in the plane. The manual from '75 onwards is different. While '75 onwards states the aircraft is approved for VFR day and night only, it too states that the final authority are placards in the aircraft. Hence why I'm curious if anyone has ever seen a placard in Bellanca aircraft limiting it to VFR only, and where would that placard come from if it's not in the CTDS?
That's why this is such a puzzle : there were no certification restrictions against IFR to begin with. Bellanca changed the wording in the owner's manual to say it's only approved VFR only - but states you should follow placards. Then in '79, the owner manual became the AFM - now required both by regs and the TCDS as mandatory equipment. So this contradictory limitation became codified, for absolutely no apparent reason. No one cared for like 3 decades until modern digital avionics make IFR viable.
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I have a Citabria Owner's Manual here that might be copyright 1969 (the page is water damaged) but it has N31288 written on the front cover. Looking up that airframe, it was a 1973 7ECA and it has the same page in it that you included in your post above.
 
An interesting entry in the FAQ for the ACA metal wing upgrade:
How do I get the gross weight increase?

For 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7KCAB, and 7GCBC aircraft, all you need is a new Flight Manual after installation is complete. This is provided with the wing kit.

If this then becomes the new POH and contains the "VFR day and night only" language, then it would seem that installing the metal wing on a 60's Citabria would also invalidate it's IFR potential?
 
In addition to Bob's comments - at least for my plane, there wasn't an entire flight manual supplied, just a flight manual supplement. It's added to the original Champion flight manual. But in reality - I agree with Bob - it's irrelevant.
 
So I have a ‘67 champ ECA…. And am interested in getting my IR ticket… I never thought of using the Citabria for this but it has a nice cost advantage over my debonair… so am I to understand that the champ ECA is legal for IFR flight?
 
jeff07w said:
So I have a ‘67 champ ECA…. And am interested in getting my IR ticket… I never thought of using the Citabria for this but it has a nice cost advantage over my debonair… so am I to understand that the champ ECA is legal for IFR flight?
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we go back and forth on this. i think the earlier Citabrias can be made IFR but would an instructor be able to see anything you're doing from the back to give you input while you're flying?
 
It's definitely IFR certifiable - there's zero documentation anywhere that you can't, for any of the 7 series prior to mid / late 70's (whenever they switched to the POH). My '69 is. However, it's terrible for training, and I can't see how anyone can administer an IFR check ride in it. With my son in front, an me in the back, the only instrument visible is the tach (i.e. farthest left). It's even hard to spot traffic, and as such even CFIIs balk at instructing in it. It is very useful though if you use the plane for longer distance travelling (even day trips).a
 
I think that as long as the type certificate does not restrict it you are ok. Not sure about whether the POH or Airplane Flight Manual can legally restrict further than the Type Certificate.
I use my Decathlon for training (me). All I need is a check pilot. I of course cannot fly in actual instruments, but there was some discussion about being able to file IFR so long as flight conditions are VFR. That is no use to me, so I never studied the issue. But we equipped a 7ECA with a couple gyros and did limited instrument training in it. The DPE was ok with that for a Private checkride.
 
Hmmmm my POH says Day/Night VFR ops only.. I always thought that was the controlling doc... It has a VFR panel BTW. I would think that the cost of bringing it up to IFR would be prohibitive..
 
There is no POH prior to '77 (or something like that) - what year is yours? The Bellanca and Champion airplane owner's manual (copied in an earlier reply) state both VFR and IFR. However, as Bob points out, there's nothing in the TCDS about restricting it to VFR - for any year. My conclusion is that for post POH years it's a gray area, but prior to it there's no question about it's ability to be IFR. Note that it's totally different for the 8KCAB - which is restricted in the TCDS.
 
And while a minor point, the POH is basically an advisory document. The AFM bears your N-number and an FAA rep signature, and is the one required to be on board.
If it is a CAR 4a aircraft, the regulations do not require an AFM. If the type certificate requires an AFM, then you maybe restricted. Let’s look - Bart has links!

Well, Bart has links to DRS, which apparently does not work on an iPad. So, here:

 
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And to make it easy:

NOTE 14.
Page 32 of 32
Effective March 1, 1979, each Model 7ECA, 7GCAA, and 7GCBC airplane contains as FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual which is part of the required equipment. The AFM must remain in the airplane during aircraft operations.
Airplane Flight Manuals are required for the following airplanes:
Model 7ECA 7GCAA 7GCBC
Beginning Serial Number 1295-79
378-79
1108-79 Only
1110-79
Any 7GCBC retrofit with 7-1545 wings

I do not see any notes restricting the certificated aircraft to VFR. Just follow the CAR 4a, which by definition is approved data, and make a change page to the AFM, citing the regulation (posted above).
 
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