Aeronca Champion

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The Aeronca Champion was a US light plane produced in the years following World War II. After war's end, Aeronca resumed production of its three most popular models, the Chief, Super Chief and the Defender, and introduced a new model in 1945, the Champion. Certified on October 18, the “Champ” became Aeronca's most popular aircraft.

The Champion was a tandem two-seater trainer that incorporated components (wings, landing gear, tail, and 65-horsepower (48-kilowatt) Continental engine) from the existing Chief line, reducing manufacturing costs. Selling for $2,095, the Champ outsold the Chief by an 8 to 1 margin. Engine upgrades in 1948 and 1949 resulted in the Models 7DC and 7EC. Between 1945 and 1950, Aeronca was producing 50 light aircraft per day and by the time production ended in 1951, the company had sold more than 10,000 Champions.

[edit] Variants

• 7AC - Continental A65 engine
• 7BC - Militarized version - L-16
• 7CC - Continental C90 engine
• 7DC - Continental C85 engine
• 7EC - Continental C90 engine

[edit] Specifications

[edit] General characteristics (7AC)

• Crew: one, pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.7 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft 2 in (10.7 m)
• Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.3 m)
• Wing area: 170 ft² (15.8 m²)
• Empty weight: 740 lb (325 kg)
• Maximum weight: 1,220 lb (533 kg)
• Powerplant: Continental A65-8, 65 hp (50 kW)

[edit] Performance

• Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h)
• Range: 460 miles (740 km)
• Service ceiling: 12,400 ft (4,100 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)

[edit] Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence:

[edit] References

• Taylor, J. H. (ed) (1989) Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions: London. p. 28
• airliners.net