We own two Aeronca Champs we use for training. Both Champs were built in 1946 and went through rebuilds in the mid 2000s. Both are powered by 65hp Continental engines and are almost as basic an aircraft as you will find.
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) run the gamut from near ultralights to highly computerized speedsters. The Champ is at the perfect sweet spot in the middle. Not so easy that it will let you develop sloppy habits and not so complicated that you are constantly overwhelmed. It is an excellent basic trainer and a complete blast to fly. It is an excellent plane to develop the good stick and rudder skills which are the foundation of flying any aircraft.
Specs Aeronca 7AC Champ:
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
- Empty weight: 740 lb (336 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,220 lb (553 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 13 U.S. gallons (49 L; 11 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 65 hp Continental A65
- Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch, wooden
Performance
- Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h, 83 kn)
- Cruise speed: 85 mph (137 km/h, 74 kn)
- Stall speed: 38 mph (61 km/h, 33 kn)
- VNE: 129 mph (208 km/h, 112 kn)
- Range: 270 mi (430 km, 230 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,800 m)
- Rate of climb: 370 ft/min (1.9 m/s)