Spinning an Aeronca/Bellanca 65HP Champ

[cougar6903]

Anyone have experience spinning Champs? How are the spin qualities and characteristics? So far I've only doen spins in 172's.

 

[xjcaptain]

From my experience, the champ series have very docile spin characteristics and make good trainers for spin training. They are much easier to get into a fully developed spin compared to the 172's. The 172's tend to break the stall on their own and move into a steep spiral even when full control imputs are held attempting to keep the aircraft into a spin. After the incipient phase most champs tend to lost about 400' per turn. You will notice that there is a lot more adverse aileron yaw in most of the older aircraft designs including the champs than you will find in 172's etc. So if you are instrucing in these you're students will be quite suprised when a wing drops and they try to correct with aileron alone and the roll and yaw rate only increases. This in my opinion is why these make pretty good spin trainers. They emphasize the need to use rudder to stop the yaw and pitch to break the stall. No cheating with aileron in these types! As always if you have no experience in a particular type, find somebody who does and is a competent instructor. There is no substitute tor good, quality instruction in the operation area that you are asking about. And don't forget to have fun!

 

[Lead Sled]

From my experience, the champ series have very docile spin characteristics and make good trainers for spin training. They are much easier to get into a fully developed spin compared to the 172's. The 172's tend to break the stall on their own and move into a steep spiral even when full control imputs are held attempting to keep the aircraft into a spin. After the incipient phase most champs tend to lost about 400' per turn. You will notice that there is a lot more adverse aileron yaw in most of the older aircraft designs including the champs than you will find in 172's etc. So if you are instrucing in these you're students will be quite suprised when a wing drops and they try to correct with aileron alone and the roll and yaw rate only increases. This in my opinion is why these make pretty good spin trainers. They emphasize the need to use rudder to stop the yaw and pitch to break the stall. No cheating with aileron in these types! As always if you have no experience in a particular type, find somebody who does and is a competent instructor. There is no substitute tor good, quality instruction in the operation area that you are asking about. And don't forget to have fun!

That just about says it all. I would only add one more comment...
The Champ was last produced in large quantities nearly 57 years ago. Make sure the airplane that you're using has been properly maintained. I've seen more than one Champ come back to the airport with a twist in its tail after a bit of spin practice.

Lead Sled

 

[cougar6903]

Thanks for the input guys. The Bellanca chap I was looking at is a 1971 model. Only 900TT and hangered all its life. It has the original 2 cylinder Franklin 65HP engine. Can't seem to find any info about them though. Seems like a lot of people have switched to the A-65 over the years.

 

[Lead Sled]

Thanks for the input guys. The Bellanca chap I was looking at is a 1971 model. Only 900TT and hangered all its life. It has the original 2 cylinder Franklin 65HP engine. Can't seem to find any info about them though. Seems like a lot of people have switched to the A-65 over the years.

There was a Franklin powered one at an airport in Ohio where I worked. There were some slight differences between them and the Aeronca built aircraft. Other than the obvious 2 cylinder engine (I believe it only had 60HP), the newer airplane had the same spring steel landing gear as the Citabrias. You're right about the engine changes. It got pretty hard to support the Franklin and most of them were converted to Continental power. I remember seeing the ads for them when I was in college. They sold for $3,995 new! I learned to fly in an original Aeronca 7AC Champ. It cost me $4.00 an hour wet to rent. You could buy them all day long for $2000 or $3000. In fact, the cheapest one I ever saw (that was airworthy) was $600 - but it was going to need fabric at the next annual.

The Champ is a great airplane, cold in the winter, but a great airplane. It will teach you what your feet are for - something that most modern trainers don't do. Learn to fly it well, and you'll be the better pilot for doing so.

Lead Sled