JimParker256
1965 Champion 7ECA (O-200)
Hi. My name is Jim Parker, and I'm an aviation addict. Here's hoping this forum takes off successfully, and we finally have a non-Facebook place to discuss these planes.
Mine is a 1965 O-200 powered 7ECA – the one with the oleo gear like the older Champs. I bought it to learn to fly a tailwheel plane, and to have something fun to fly while I build the Bearhawk Patrol. I specifically sought out an O-200 powered 7ECA because it's got the highest useful load in the Citabria line, and I needed all the UL I could get to enable me to fly with an instructor for the tailwheel transition... Many people complain about the lower-powered Citabrias, but I very much enjoy flying the plane. She's not pretty (nickname: "Rags"), and she's not fast (90 mph cruise is just about it without wheel pants), and the summertime climb rate is pretty anemic (maybe 350-400 fpm solo in our 95-100º F summers), but she is a cheap date! She only burns 4-5.5 gph, depending on how much noise you want to make, and she's a sweet-flying airplane. I'm having a blast with her, flying low and slow, staying very much in contact with the world around you. There's just something about having all five senses involved that takes you back to a simpler day and age...
RIght now, I just wish my allergies would go away so I could go fly, instead of posting about it on the forums!
Mine is a 1965 O-200 powered 7ECA – the one with the oleo gear like the older Champs. I bought it to learn to fly a tailwheel plane, and to have something fun to fly while I build the Bearhawk Patrol. I specifically sought out an O-200 powered 7ECA because it's got the highest useful load in the Citabria line, and I needed all the UL I could get to enable me to fly with an instructor for the tailwheel transition... Many people complain about the lower-powered Citabrias, but I very much enjoy flying the plane. She's not pretty (nickname: "Rags"), and she's not fast (90 mph cruise is just about it without wheel pants), and the summertime climb rate is pretty anemic (maybe 350-400 fpm solo in our 95-100º F summers), but she is a cheap date! She only burns 4-5.5 gph, depending on how much noise you want to make, and she's a sweet-flying airplane. I'm having a blast with her, flying low and slow, staying very much in contact with the world around you. There's just something about having all five senses involved that takes you back to a simpler day and age...
RIght now, I just wish my allergies would go away so I could go fly, instead of posting about it on the forums!
