Citabria MTOW for 7ECA Aurora

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kubark42

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It seems that somewhere between the reintroduction of the 7ECA in 1995 and 2001, the MTOW increased from 1650 to 1750lbs. Wikipedia suggests that there were no major changes with the exception of aluminum gear in 2004. So what drove the increased gross? All the Aurora 7ECA planes have metal spars which should have the increased gross, but that seems not to be the case.

Is this a paperwork change which 1995-2000 models don't benefit from or is there a structural difference between these models (as well as older 7ECA which get the metal spar upgrade and associated MTOW increase)?
 
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Here you go: Note 15 in the TCDS, happily accessed in Bart's maintenance section.





The following changes apply to 7ECA and 7GCAA aircraft built in 1995 and later (all with 7-1566 wing frames).

C.G. Range and Maximum Weight changes also apply to any 7ECA, 7GCAA, or 7KCAB that retrofits with 7-1566 wing frames or 7-1567 covered wing frames.





C.G. Range:

Maximum Weight Serial Nos. Eligible



Landplane: (+14.2) to (+19.2) at 1750 lb.
(+10.5) to (+19.2) at 1325 lb. or less

When performing acrobatic maneuvers, the C.G. range shall be limited to:

(+14.2) to (+16.3) at 1750 lb.

(+10.5) to (+16.3) at 1325 lb. or less Straight line variation between points given.





Landplane:

7ECA: 7GCAA:



1750 lb.

1355-95 and up 400-97 and up
 
Bob Turner said:
Here you go: Note 15 in the TCDS, happily accessed in Bart's maintenance section.
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Click to expand...

That is *exactly* what I needed. I had actually opened that document and after reading a few pages felt I was looking in the wrong spot and started looking for an STC.

Since I'm still very much learning the ropes, how did you know to look there and how did you find that section?
 
Being an IA is a lot like being a lawyer. You learn where to look after years of study. Actually, having a law degree is probably a good thing for an IA.
 
kubark42 said:
That is *exactly* what I needed. I had actually opened that document and after reading a few pages felt I was looking in the wrong spot and started looking for an STC.

Since I'm still very much learning the ropes, how did you know to look there and how did you find that section?
Click to expand...

Kubark, welcome to the site. 👍

The TCDS is the FAA's record of approvals/limitations for a type, an STC is an outside company's approved change for a type. The best way to explain it is to just point you in the direction of the FAA's explanation of the TCDS notes


Keep in mind that all of the Aeronca/Champion/Bellanca/ACA 7 series planes are basically on one TCDS making the TCDS a very handy resource for tracking basic changes that were made over the years.

If you're curious about those kinds of things it's very interesting reading.

Here's the FAA link again for the TCDS so you won't have to go looking for it again
 
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