Options were few. 13 Pack Texture Set For RealAir Scout 21.98 MB 303 35+ Bellanca Scout 8GCBC 18.11 MB We now offer an STC to Change Nails to Screws in the attachment of ribs to spars. The fuel is on or off only; some operators prefer to run one tank quite low, then switch to the other as a reserve. Equipped empty weight varies greatly with installed equipment, too. All are built to order. 32032 Washington Ave. Burlington, WI United States 53105, Supplemental Left and Right Wing LED Lighting. The tail, the aileron spades, the landing gear, the electrical system, the prop, and the landing gear are all different. And of course, there are plenty of private pilots who enjoy Scouts for the fun and freedom of flying in the backcountry. New Millinium cylinders, new camshaft top notch install. This website contains many older reviews. 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. Started by bvmbandit , 04-12-2018 07:58 AM Replies: 5 There was strong interest in returning the line to production, especially the aerobatic airplanes, but many schemes failed until the latest rebirth of the company. why they own, fly and sell them. Typically, investigations found that these failures during normal operation had been preceded by undetected overstressing conditions from flight outside the aircraft's limitations (such as aerobatics) or accidents where the wings contacted the ground (including ground loops and nose-overs in which the airplane ended up on its back). Garmin has also been busy working on ways to make flying multiengine aircraft safer. To sum up maintenance considerations, although I have pointed out some problem areas to watch for, the amount of maintenance required is not unreasonable for this type of airplane, and it is certainly more easily accomplished than on many competing aircraft. Crosswind component is somewhat limited by rudder and aileron effectiveness, but is still more than most people will want to try. Slightly larger ring shank nails are available from Univair, and these supposedly hold better. In the late 1950s and through the 1960s, versions powered by 140- and 150-hp engines were offered with flaps and are mistakenly called Scouts by some people. Rudder forces lie between the two. Decathlon Series. However, this wasnt the end for the Scout. 7GCBC $76,500 PRICE REDUCED Airplane is Ready to fly! According to Jerry K. Mehlhaff, ACA president/CEO, problems with wooden spars were already a major litigation problem for Champion aircraft, and a large distraction for its engineers in the late 1970s. Kasey Bonecrusher Lindsay and Bob Hurricane Hannah. The Scout was the first long-wing Champion variant. The Scout also carries wing flaps, a design feature it shares with the 7GCBC variant of the Citabria. As for handling, in the air, the Scout is heavy in roll, light in pitch, and medium in rudder pressures. 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. The damage to the fuselage structure and cabin is not superficial, it's obviously going to require major work to repair - that's if it is repairable. See More Details All specifications are based on manufacturer's calculations. Univair has an STCd solution that uses flat bar stock clamping the gear leg to the fuselage with MS bolts, thus eliminating the stress of bent metal. American Champion Aircraft Scout 8GCBC New Price: $271,000 Seats: Calculate Loan Payments Aircraft valuation for older models and your trade in Overview Like the Decathlon, the Scout's main difference from its predecessor is its metal spar, which supplants the spruce used in Bellanca's taildraggers. However, the numbers are close enough together to be essentially unmeasurable in the hands of the average pilot, so the big differential becomes payload reduced by the weight of installed options. If the seat-back AD needs compliance (it should have been taken care of by now), consider the adjustable front seat: The mechanism is quite awkward, but will accommodate a wider range of pilot sizes. New. The Bellanca-Champion Club welcomes all owners, pilots and enthusiasts. The 8GCBC Scout is a two-seat, high-wing, single-engined fixed conventional gear general aviation airplane that entered production in the United States in 1974. The landing gear of the Scout is in a conventional arrangement. 130 lb. Two-seat, high-wing, single-engined airplane, Specifications (2003 8GCBC Scout - constant speed propeller), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Champion_Scout&oldid=1119996971, 1970s United States civil utility aircraft, Short description is different from Wikidata, Aircraft specs templates using more performance parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 November 2022, at 14:53. . Designed for personal and commercial use, it is commonly found in utility roles such as bush flyingthanks to its short takeoff and landing (STOL) abilityas well as agriculture, pipeline patrol, and glider and banner towing. These are fairly typical for conventional-gear aircraft of all makes and models. AOPA Members DO more LEARN more SAVE more - Get MORE out of being a pilot -, 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Aircraft valuation for older models and your trade in, https://www.americanchampionaircraft.com/scout. The landing gear of the Scout is in a conventional arrangement. Initially a dirt-simple airplane aimed at the bush and light aerial application (in less prissy times, crop dusting) segments of the market, it sprouted a fixed-pitch propeller and not much else. He flew an American Champion High Country Explorer so I decided to recreate the flight in my American Champion Scout. Always try One may fly or handle a bit better. 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. HomeClassifiedsDirectoryAboutContactAdvertise. Unless otherwise noted, these reviews carry product pricing from the time of the original review. For years, if you were in the market for a new, Part 23 backcountry taildragger, Aviat's Husky was one of a small handful of options a buyer had. RealAir's latest offering three distinct variants from the famous American Champion series tandem-seat, tail dragger, suite: The Citabria (the basic semi-aerobatic trainer with flaps), the Decathlon (the fully aerobatic, flapless, trainer and sport plane) and three variants of the Scout: the Sport and Utility (with powerful flaps for short take Additional Equipment:Rear Seat Heat 70 Gallons Long Range Fuel Exterior Notes:Custom painted wing sunrays and fuselage side stripes 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. Speed and attitude control are key. Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 20 years and a CFI for more than 18 years. Welcome Aboard. For more than five decades, active and dedicated aircraft owners and pilots have turned to AVIATION CONSUMER to answer their most important buying questions. It's pretty rare that anyone gets to fly a brand-new airplane today. Compared to the Citabrias gear, the Scouts gear legs are considerably taller and the tires larger, again contributing to its capabilities as a utility aircraft. Champion collapsed in the bankruptcy of its parent, Bellanca, in 1980. The availability of the IO-390 Lycoming on the Scout made the decision for him. As the largest American Champion dealers in the world and pilots. He is the long-time FBO at Albert Lea, MN. In certain conditions, such as crosswind landing, roll and yaw control can be inadequate or too difficult to apply. When the system detects a predetermined power differential between each engine, Smart Rudder Bias activates, dynamically adjusting to assist the pilot by providing enough force to the rudder to help control a sideslip. The brakes/tires (8.50 x 6.00 on double-puck Clevelands, similar to a Cessna 185s) are extremely effective, and can put the prop in the dirt very easily. 2021 AMERICAN CHAMPION 8-GCBC DENALI SCOUT. These values represent standard day conditions - no wind, stock 8.50x6 tires, and average piloting technique. The Scout and the Cub, joined later by the Christen (now Aviat) A-1 Husky, exist primarily to serve as aerial jeeps or compact pickup trucks. . The autopilot mode controller uses large dedicated keys and knobs, along with a control wheel that allows for easy adjustment to aircraft pitch, airspeed, and vertical speed. 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. Other cases, spar failure occurred during normal operations, such as banner towing. It can also be used with a Garmin G3X Touch flight display. Glider towing is severe service, with five to seven landing cycles per hour beating up the airframe, and the same maximum climb/maximum descent cycles working on the powerplant. 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. 0 SNEW . SERVICE LETTERS; FAQs; . Flying may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Like the Cub, the 7AC didn't have an electrical system or starter, either. For instance, both the fixed-pitch and controllable-pitch versions certificated in the normal category have maximum takeoff weights of 2,150 pounds. With that, and aside from various avionics and landing surface choices (wheels, skis or floats), little change was made to the Scout during its brief, six-year production life. The wings were not attached at the time of the damage incident. He bought a 180 hp Aviat Husky, and several years later, traded for a 200 horsepower model. In 1978, a constant-speed propeller was offered as an option. The GFC 500 has traditional autopilot capabilities, such as altitude hold, vertical speed, and heading modes. Unlike the Cub, the Champ could be soloed from the front seat-giving far better visibility. 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. 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. Scouts remain popular as bush planesincluding versions fitted with floats or skis, for glider and banner towing, for pipeline patrol, in agricultural uses, and as personal aircraft. Fully Loaded. Vibration-related problems are relatively frequent, suggesting propeller balancing and regular inspection of engine mounts will pay off in reduced accessory problems. For instance, most problems are the result of neglect, harsh operation or operating environment and wear and tear. The Scout carries the model designation 8GCBC, which makes it both a sibling of the 8KCAB Decathlon and descendant of the 7GCBC Citabria. Transitions to takeoff and to landing require close attention and prompt application of controls to keep things straight. (MS hardware is sometimes in short supply: If ACA doesnt have them in stock, try Univair, and vice versa.). [1] Design [ edit] We also have a STC and PMA for the fuselage Formers and floorboards. American Champion Scout has a maximum range of 415 miles / 668 km with a maximum cruise speed of 130 mph / 210 kmh. New Super Decathlon 8KCAB, N1819D. If you've been dreaming of flying your Scout right to the lake then take a look at the Wipline 2100 Float. The Cub has the edge in short-field operations-but the difference was little more than a plane-length in takeoff or landing between the two. AMERICAN CHAMPION. Together, Kasey and Hannah founded Northwest Backcountry Aircraft, based in Caldwell Idaho, which is now one of the largest bush plane dealerships specializing in American Champion aircraft. 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. Strut corrosion has been a problem, as has the wooden wing spar. The failures occurred during high-stress portions of the flights, but under stresses that the design should have withstood. Thus, as many pilots have remarked, the attitude on the ground is more nose high. Links (in blue) to American Champion Aircraft, Freedom Champ Sales, and other distributors can be found throughout the publication. It also was offered with a 180-hp powerplant. The single fatal accident recorded in the past five-and-a-half years was the result of loss of control during low flight. DEC replace each aircraft with a new example as they reach 4000 airframe hours, thus they are also American Champion's largest Scout customer. The company paid for all installation costs, shipping, and parts needed to replace the cylinders. American Champion is located in Rochester, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee). I can find no information on those. The largest single operator of the type the Royal Canadian Air Cadet League, operating over 20 of them in Ontario and the Prairie provinces as tow aircraft for glider training. 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. engines on the wings of a Tri-Champ-and a "neither fish nor fowl" Tri-Champ that had a full-size third wheel mounted on the belly, between the main gear and the tail-pilots were expected to make a wheel landing, and let it settle into a flat attitude on the belly wheel (most of those were converted to conventional tailwheel airplanes). Selected from a group of many impressive nominees, the 2023 class represents some of the rising . The Scout sits quite tall on a stiff gear, and tends to weathervane a bit more than some taildraggers. 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. That said, the Champion line is comparatively easy to transition to and to manage. These individuals have made a major impact in their communities and careers, while supporting the university and embodying Maryland Pride. 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. Engine 1 Make/Model. Mehlhaff would like to see all Citabria, Decathlons and Scouts converted to metal spars. These props are hard to find and expensive. The ultimate two-place tandem bushplane.Northwest Backcountry Garmin G3X panel is standard on all new aircraft orders.This . 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. These spars are STC'd and FAA approved. The Bellanca Scouts were built with wooden spar wings, but American Champion builds Scouts with all-aluminum frame wings, giving the aircraft a stronger, sturdier platform and better performance. In 1993, ACA gave the Scout a new life, bringing it back into production as the modernized American Champion Scout. The new FAA certified 900-HP Daher Kodiak 900 turboprop single combines TBM 960 and Kodiak 100 DNA into one airplane. Screenshot of American Champion Scout preparing for take-off. 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. Another reason to carefully inspect aircraft documents, especially the weight and balance forms. Description. 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. Threads . 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. Their phone and counter sales staff are generally knowledgeable on correct parts selection and application. The result is an Belvoir Media Group, LLC. In 1988, American Champion Aircraft (ACA) was founded after acquiring designs for the Model 7 and Model 8 Champion Line, which includes the Scout, Champ, Citabria, and Decathlon designs. Smart Rudder Bias requires a G500 TXi or G600 TXi configured as a primary flight display (PFD) with EIS data, which can be shown as a strip on the G500 TXi or G600 TXi, or on a separate dedicated TXi EIS display. And recognizing when wind speed and direction are beyond ones competence is an essential element of safe operation. What We Do. The 7GCAA was basically the same as the 7ECA, but with a 150-hp engine. Capacity Baggage Compartment with Firewall Mounted Battery, Propeller, Constant Speed:MT Composite MTV-15-B/203-58. Today, the versatile aircraft is used by commercial operators and government agencies for duties such as glider and banner towing, conservation missions and agricultural uses. Our competition often chooses to display only optimum figures that varies with weight, wind, technique, tire size, etc. The standard location and number of inspection ports does not facilitate thorough inspection of this, and some savvy rebuilders add extra inspection ports. Large tundra tires and a five-point harness are standard on this workhorse, as is the greenhouse window, and desirable options include aileron spades that greatly lighten the stick forces in roll. 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