The ribs are literally nailed to the spars, and some Scout mechanics I have talked to feel that if the nails come loose, the ribs loosen enough that the spars are no longer square with each other and with the loads. Transitions to takeoff and to landing require close attention and prompt application of controls to keep things straight. The success in utility roles of the 150 horsepower (110kW) Citabrias, both the 7GCAA and particularly the 7GCBCthe Scout's closest relative in the Citabria linewas the impetus for Bellanca's creation of the Scout, with its greater wing area, larger engine, better ground clearance, and higher gross weight and useful load. If you have not done so, plan on replacing these. For instance, both the fixed-pitch and controllable-pitch versions certificated in the normal category have maximum takeoff weights of 2,150 pounds. American Champion 8GCBC Scout; VH-VPW photos; Western Australia Government - Parks and Wildlife; Airline: Western Australia Government - Parks and Wildlife; Some have told dealers, "I never go to the back country." But don't discount that extra power (same as the Decathlon). Vibration-related problems are relatively frequent, suggesting propeller balancing and regular inspection of engine mounts will pay off in reduced accessory problems. Best of all, the aircraft is sleek, stylish, and surprisingly affordable. After consulting with his wife (who he admits controls the finances in the family) they decided to buy new-. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. However, this wasnt the end for the Scout. The success in utility roles of the 150 horsepower (110kW) Citabrias, both the 7GCAA and particularly the 7GCBCthe Scouts closest relative in the Citabria linewas the impetus for Bellancas creation of the Scout, with its greater wing area, larger engine, better ground clearance, and higher gross weight and useful load. Also With This ArticleClick here to view charts for Resale Values, Payload Compared and Prices Compared.Click here to view the American Champion 8GCBC Scout features guide. With 4 wing mounted and one cowl-mounted landing lights, the Scout is assured of good illumination at night--and for spotting it during the day, the lights "wig-wag" on and off alternately. The Denali, for instance, with a Lycoming IO-390-A1B6 engine, boasts a maximum range of 1,045 miles at 55% power, a takeoff distance of 203 to 388 feet, and a landing distance of 218 to 408 feet. The Scout also carries wing flaps, a design feature it shares with the 7GCBC variant of the Citabria. Many of us appreciate Univairs long-term commitment to older and out-of-production airplanes. American Champion Scout flying over sunflowers Fat Tire Cowboys Always try Decathlons are noted for their heavy aileron forces. 5 Attachment(s) Page 4 of 4 American Champion Aircraft Corporation acquired the Scout design, along with the Decathlon and the group of Citabria and Champ variants, in 1990 and brought the Scout back into production in 1993. The beauty of this new competitive pairing is both Aviat and CubCrafters have a great deal of experience of bringing top-of-the-line niche product to market. Aileron spades, which are aerodynamic aids to increase roll control and reduce the level of effort, have been offered for several Champion models in the aftermarket. These props are hard to find and expensive. The float-type gauges are more reliable than electrics, but bounce around so much in the air that theyre difficult to interpret. Other changes include ailerons extended to the ends of the wings, longer flaps, and a jazzed up interior. One may fly or handle a bit better. Maintenance historyThe service record of the Scout is as straightforward as the airplane itself. Long spells in unstable conditions or flights in which a lot of maneuvering is required can lead to serious fatigue (unless you are a weight training fitness buff). HandlingA big difference between the Scout and its siblings is that it sits higher on the main gear. Over-the-nose visibility is fairly good for a tall taildragger, but pilots transitioning from Citabrias have to work at getting the nose up for three-point landings. Landing Distance over 50-ft. to have a positive mindset, Flying the american champion scout 8gcbc on floats part 1. Engine 1 Time. The American Champion Scout features generous, adjustable wing flaps and a powerful Lycoming O-360-C1G engine producing 180 horsepower. The Decathlon and Citabria had received the transplant earlier. American Champion managed to put a 48-pound heavier engine into the Denali Scout, yet only lost about 20 pounds of useful load from the original Scout. Bellanca-Champion Club Dedicated to the Bellanca Cruisair, Cruisemaster, Viking, American Champion Citabria, Decathlon, Scout, Champion and AviaBellanca Skyrocket lines of aircraft, their furtherance, history, preservation and maintenance. In addition, the Scout is subject to AD 98-2-8, which calls for inspection of the hollow crankshafts inner bore for corrosion pits. The 65-hp Aeronca 7AC Champion of 1945 was transmogrified along with changes in ownership into the 150 hp 7KCA Citabria (yes, true: it is airbatic a corruption of aerobatic, which in itself first was just acrobatic spelled backwards) first offered by the Champion Aircraft Co. in 1965. MT Composite MTV-15-B/203-58, constant speed, 100 lb (plus optional 30 lb extended baggage), For more information, contact Landing Distance, Ground Roll: 222to 423ft. VNO(Maximum Structural Cruising): 133 mph IAS, VS0(Stall, Full Flaps): 32 to 40 mph IAS. I have seen similar spar cracks recently in an Aeronca 15AC and a Champion 7FC which use substantially the same wing construction as the Scout. The dynamics of a stall/spin encounter with 420 rather than 210 pounds of weight in the wings-and farther from the center of rotation-are quite different from those of the standard airplane. This light, rugged aircraft was first developed by the Bellanca Aircraft Corporation in 1974. I have now given about 3000 hours of back country flight instruction, and over 180 professional presentations on mountain, canyon, and backcountry flying for various organizations throughout the United States, including AOPA, FAA, Alaska Airman Association, Idaho Aviation Association, EAA, Washington Pilots Association, Civil Air Patrol, Oregon In 1978, a constant-speed propeller was offered as an option. Our competition often chooses to display only optimum figures that varies with weight, wind, technique, tire size, etc. The cross-section of the metal fuselage truss is triangular, a design feature traceable to the earliest Aeronca C-2 design of the late 1920s. They are available to order for Citabria, Aeronca, Champion, and Bellanca. Rudder forces lie between the two. Another large operator is Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), who operate a fleet of ten aircraft in the fire surveillance and Forward Air Control (FAC) roles. The designs and tooling date back to 1946 and they have travelled from the original company, to Bellanca until American Champion Aircraft purchased the type certificate in 1990 and began manufacturing Decathlons, Scouts and Citabrias, They've made a good design better by creating all-metal wings, although they remain fabric-covered. 12 Aircraft Already On Order for 2021! Aircraft: American Champion 8GCBC Scout Serial #: 619-2021 Photo date: 2023-01-12 Uploaded: 2023-01-29 Likes: 1 0 Views: 106 Location: Manjimup Airport - YMJM, Australia By: Jarrod Swanwick Photos | Profile | Contact Album Like Share Note: VH-SYB rolling on runway 12 as Fire Spotter 647 Airline: Private Reg: N22SX photos 96-18-2 calls for repetitive inspections of the front strut attach fittings; replacement of them obviates the need for further checks. In that period, only one Scout was built, in 1984. Replacement metal spar wings run upwards of $20,000. The factory figures are in conflict. lifejogger. This American Champion Scout 8GCBC is a 2021 model with only 2.1 hrs test flight time - but it's been damaged by a falling hangar door. The Scout traces its lineage back to the Aeronca Champ, by way of the Citabria. Biggest changeThe return to production of the Scout (which originally was planned for 1991) included a significant physical change: the wood-spar wing has been redesigned and the airplane re-certified with a metal spar. Airfoil "flying tail" rock. Love my family & adore animals! Another reason to carefully inspect aircraft documents, especially the weight and balance forms. The good aspect of Scout behavior on the ground and in ground effect (it floats a lot more than the Decathlon or Citabria) is that it is over fairly rapidly in the hands of an adequately competent pilot. closed. In addition, the GFC 500 includes altitude preselect, vertical navigation (VNAV), underspeed and overspeed protection, and more. Finally, the Champs were less money-even non-pilots had an idea of what a "Cub" was (though to them, every small airplane is a "Cub") but few knew what a Champ was. Both have the same, 2150-pound gross weight. Only about 30 have been completed since. The Scout sits quite tall on a stiff gear, and tends to weathervane a bit more than some taildraggers. Outfitting your aircraft with skis can make it possible! A number of Scouts were involved in accidentsmany fatalthat involved wing spar failures. The Scout was the first long-wing Champion variant. Southern Aviation Bunbury Flying School; Airline: Southern Aviation Bunbury Flying School; Reg: VH-DXL photos; Aircraft: American Champion 8GCBC Scout; Serial #: 516-2009; . The American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon and Super Decathlon are two-seat fixed conventional gear light airplanes designed for flight training and personal use and capable of sustaining aerobatic stresses between +6g and 5 g. Though I've never seen the third missing example except in a magazine advertisement, they did show a bigger Champ with 3 businessmen climbing aboard-one in front and two in back, like a Piper Super Cruiser. Announcements: Other cases, spar failure occurred during normal operations, such as banner towing. Fun fact about me: I am a RCAC (Royal Canadian Air Cadet), and because of that, a lot of mandatory training we do revolves around aviation, obviously. According to American Champion, the Scouts takeoff distance (ground roll) is between 210 to 417 ft, and its landing distance is 222 to 423 ft. With a fuel capacity of 72 gallons and an impressive maximum range of up to 1079 miles, pilots can expect to go the distance in the Scout. The tail, the aileron spades, the landing gear, the electrical system, the prop, and the landing gear are all different. The solution to this is to install Rainbow Flying Service's top Inspection Kit that can be installed without fabric replacement or any time that a spar is replaced or wing recovered. Cabin designOne of the greatest attributes of all Champions is visibility to the outside. The other major airframe squawk is the undercarriage. Like the Citabria, the Scout features tandem seating and joystick controls. In its brief almost-heyday, Champion developed and produced in the Citabria and Decathlon airplanes that made aerobatic training and practice, and even air show performances and precision flying competition, available to a far greater number of people. Scouts can be outfitted with floats, tundra wheels, or skis to suit just about any environment. Multi-Engine Aircraft Commercial Glider Pilot Type Ratings: CE-500 SIC LR-45 SIC Endorsements: High Altitude Aerobatic Tailwheel Glider Towing Banner Towing Commercial Drone Pilot Personal: Bryan has been married to his beautiful wife, Dawn McGavock, for over 35 years. The Scout suffered, in this respect, from a close resemblance to the Citabria line of aircraft, all of which are capable of aerobatics. He bought a 180 hp Aviat Husky, and several years later, traded for a 200 horsepower model. COLLEGE PARK, Md. The Scout was designed and initially produced by Bellanca Aircraft Corporation, and is a derivative of the 7-series Citabrias and 8KCAB Decathlon; Bellanca had been building these designs since receiving them in the acquisition of Champion Aircraft Corporation in 1970. There also are some basic considerations related to mass and inertia. Piston Single Aircraft 9. dfinition - American Champion Scout. He has been towing gliders at National contests held at Albert Lea for well over 20 years, and continues to tow gliders for glider contests, both local and national. These include metal flaps, balanced ailerons, aileron spades and newly designed front struts that are fabricated from an extruded metal. The lightweight, rugged Trailblazer prop was specially designed to boost the performance of bush and backcountry aircraft, allowing pilots to get even more enjoyment out of their flying adventures. American Champion has been using aluminum spars in the aircraft it has produced and has, as well, made the aluminum-spar wings available for retrofit installation on older aircraft. There is no issue with running out of the front end of the c.g. These are made with 5 ply Birch plywood and are water jet cut by computer. If you are interested in becoming an air cadet, visit www.cadetscanada.ca if your interested! The GFC 500 includes Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP), which works to assist the pilot in maintaining the aircraft in a stable flight condition. This is not possible on the Scout. The new XCub from CubCrafters gives the market another option.. The failures occurred during high-stress portions of the flights, but under stresses that the design should have withstood. This series of failures led the Federal Aviation Administration to issue an Airworthiness Directive (AD 2000-25-02 R1) that affected all wood-spar wing Scouts. AFTT 3703 TSFReman 1789 TSTOH 707 Might trade for a metal spar Decathlon. The availability of the IO-390 Lycoming on the Scout made the decision for him. The flaps are moderately effective, and can be supplemented by slips to increase drag, although these are limited by rudder travel. Scouts built by American Champion, as well as those retrofitted with the factory metal-spar wings, are exempt from the AD's inspection requirements. To some pilots, the similar appearance suggested similar ability. Placement of instruments, gauges, controls and switches, including (or especially) electrical accessories may take some getting used to for pilots new to this category of airplane. Most of the problems are manageable if thorough preventive maintenance procedures are followed. . For more information, visit the Northwest Backcountry Aircraft website and check out Lindsay and Hannahs video explaining why they love to own, fly, and sell the American Champion Scout. Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first. AOPA Flying Clubs Radio link. For additional information about Smart Rudder Bias visit: www.Garmin.com/SmartRudderBias. This week Garmin announced the American Champion. 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