New 7KCAB Owner

E

ehaecker

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2022
Messages
115
Location
Memphis, TN
Hi all!

New 7KCAB owner here from Memphis, TN. I pickled up a 1967 model here locally and have been thoroughly enjoying it since the purchase in January. There are a few modifications I would like to make but it sure is a fun and relaxing airplane to fly. Looking forward to being part of the community here and hope these forums are active and a good source of information!

Thanks,
Eric
 
ehaecker said:
Hi all!

New 7KCAB owner here from Memphis, TN. I pickled up a 1967 model here locally and have been thoroughly enjoying it since the purchase in January. There are a few modifications I would like to make but it sure is a fun and relaxing airplane to fly. Looking forward to being part of the community here and hope these forums are active and a good source of information!

Thanks,
Eric
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Welcome! I'm a big fan of the 7KCAB, it's the best of both worlds. Did you go looking for one or were you looking for a Citabria in general and found the 7KCAB first?

Feel free to jump right in, post pics whenever possible, and post pics whenever possible. :)
 
Bartman said:
Welcome! I'm a big fan of the 7KCAB, it's the best of both worlds. Did you go looking for one or were you looking for a Citabria in general and found the 7KCAB first?

Feel free to jump right in, post pics whenever possible, and post pics whenever possible. :)
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So I was actually looking for a citabria (any) a few years ago but couldn’t find anything I liked enough for the price. I ended up getting a Piper Clipper (awesome airplane) from a friend to scratch that itch. Had been flying it for a few years when this 7KCAB came up for sale (word of mouth) locally and it was too good to pass up. It’s an older model but low time. Was crashed in the 90’s and rebuilt including metal spars. The price was right so I just bought it on the spot. I’ll try to get some more pics up soon. So far it’s been a great airplane and I’m very happy with it. I just snapped this today 1842460B-A393-418B-88AF-5F276902AA3A.webp
 
Bartman said:
Nice! What a lucky person you are to score a pop-up 7KCAB deal!

Doing any aerobatics with it?
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Ive only done some light positive stuff. It doesn’t have acro harnesses so I haven’t been doing any negative stuff. It also doesn’t have spades, so those are on the short list of “must do!” mods. I just ordered a new front adjustable seat from ACA as the old fixed seat is horribly uncomfortable and I can see many previous welds and repairs. A new seat will hopefully give me a better position (along with slim cushions) and more confidence that I won’t kill myself with a seat failure/recline.
 
ehaecker said:
Ive only done some light positive stuff. It doesn’t have acro harnesses so I haven’t been doing any negative stuff. It also doesn’t have spades, so those are on the short list of “must do!” mods. I just ordered a new front adjustable seat from ACA as the old fixed seat is horribly uncomfortable and I can see many previous welds and repairs. A new seat will hopefully give me a better position (along with slim cushions) and more confidence that I won’t kill myself with a seat failure/recline.
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What do you have for harnesses? I have the old military style four point harnesses front and rear and I'm doing basic acro hoping to compete in Primary category this year.
 
Bartman said:
What do you have for harnesses? I have the old military style four point harnesses front and rear and I'm doing basic acro hoping to compete in Primary category this year.
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It’s the basic aero fabricators harness sold by aircraft spruce I believe. Lap belt and the “Y” shoulder harness. It’s definitely fine for some basic gentleman’s acro, but I don’t want to do much negative with it as it isn’t sufficient to keep me firmly in the seat. Maybe a slow roll or 4 point here and there, but nothing sustained.
 
Beautiful plane Eric. I'm fairly new here and have been graced with a lot of great advice and conversation. Welcome!
 
Hope you enjoy your ratchet more than I enjoy mine. They work, but what a giant pain when carrying non-slim passengers.
 
One thing I’d love to figure out is how to allow the window to be opened in flight. I flew a 7ECA years ago that I swear the window would be opened in flight. The window on my 7KCAB seems quite flimsy. Anyone know if there’s an STC or some hinge/strut mechanism from another year that allows for window open flight? I’ve done a quick search but haven’t come up with much.

Gas struts sure would be nice to have, but I’m not aware of any STC for that. :unsure:
 
I fly with my window open all the time. It is placarded to maybe 130 mph or so. I don't like it open at full power, but it can be flown that way legally.
 
Bob Turner said:
I fly with my window open all the time. It is placarded to maybe 130 mph or so. I don't like it open at full power, but it can be flown that way legally.
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Hmm I may have to very carefully try that. It seems like it’s awfully flimsy for that. I’ll maybe try it next flight.
 
ehaecker said:
The window on my 7KCAB seems quite flimsy. Anyone know if there’s an STC or some hinge/strut mechanism from another year that allows for window open flight?
Click to expand...

there should be a steel scissor type keeper that prevents it from opening more than a few inches. the factory has a mechanism that will keep it latched to the underside of the wing.
 
I was at my happy place (aka the hangar) today and meant to take some pics but completely forgot.I do have a scissor type hinge thingy, but it allows the window to open at least 75% up to the wing. I'll try to remember to get some pics next time.
 
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