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In anticipation of a post-war boom in private flying, Aeronca designed a new model - the Model 7 Champion - which was marketed from November 1945
and which sold over 10,000 examples between 1946 and 1951. The Champion was the first new light aeroplane to be certified after World War II. It shared a
similar high-wing monoplane design with its predecessors; however, the Champion was tandem dual-control configuration as standard, a major selling point.
Variants included a 'farm wagon' with the rear seat area converted to carry agricultural supplies, and the military L-16, which was used briefly in the Korean War and by the Civil Air Patrol. The Champion ceased production in 1950, but further examples were produced later by companies that acquired manufacturing rights.
Robert Jackson "The Encyclopedia of Aircraft", 2004
| MODEL | 7AC Champion |
| CREW | 1-2 |
| PASSENGERS | 2 |
| ENGINE | 1 x 65hp Continental A-65-8 flat-four piston engine |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 562 kg | 1239 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 10.72 m | 35 ft 2 in |
| Length | 6.55 m | 21 ft 6 in |
| Height | 2.13 m | 6 ft 12 in |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 161 km/h | 100 mph |
| Ceiling | 3840 m | 12600 ft |
| Range | 435 km | 270 miles |
John R. Ward, johnjude(@)lightspeed.net, 05.08.2008
I soloed in a J-3 cub in 1945 and after many years flying mostly Cessna,Piper,Cessna,Bonanza aircraft I became a partner in a 7AC Champ. After many enjoyable hours of just riding around the country side and going to air shows, I finally desiced to hang it up. What a great little plane.
NORMAN SKARZYNSKI, sk1(@)windstream.net, 30.06.2008
I soloed the 7A CHAMP in six hours back in 1947 at Ashburn Field in Chicago. At that time you could rent for $6.50 an hour wet. I used to love to do spins in that ship.
I am now a glider pilot with over 2700 hours in gliders.
Ace Avakian, AceAvak(@)comcast.net, 07.06.2008
I have many hours instructing in this cute airplane. Not to take anything away from the J3 but I found it easier to instruct in this airplane. I have many pleasant hours in both but my heart is with the 7AC Aeronca!
Jim Kemple, kemple(@)beyondbb.com, 26.05.2008
I too learned to fly in this aircraft. I was in the Navy stationed at Chase Field, Beeville, Texas. I worked part time at Travland Airport for Scotty Bledsoe and took all my wages out in flight time. I soloed after about 8 hours and it was a thrill for me, after working with the NAVCADS at the Navy Base. My instructor was one of the last "enlisted" pilots in the Navy. I was 21 years old and an Air Traffic Controller at Navy Chase Tower. I have been "checked out" in many airplanes since then but still remember the fun times in that 7AC Chanp.
Al Gatto, algatto(@)verizon.net, 20.05.2008
I saw an ad in the Jacksonville, NC newspaper in 1954 that said I will solo you for $75.00. That was just what I had saved up after returning from a 6 month Med. cruise. I was a Staff Sargent in the USMC. I soloed in that beautiful Aeronca Champ after 7hr & 30 Min. I have flown everything from F-100 Super Sabres, C-141's through Gulfstream IV's. Nothing compares to my solo in the Champ.
Bob Carver, icatatonicus28(@)verizon.net, 05.05.2008
I soloed in good old NC 83690 in 1946, Bolton Field, MA. Loved it Wish I could do it again.
R W Mathews, rwmathews(@)aol.com, 02.05.2008
Would love to have a 7AC. Put many hours in them. Taught in them also. The earth is just more beautiful from the air when you don't have to be somewhere is a hurry.
Beth Wallach, bethwallach(@)verizon.net, 30.04.2008
This is the plane I learned to fly in 1959. I was 24 years old and earned $90 a week, of which about 25% went for flying lessons. I loved it. But, alas, around the same time I met the man I would marry, so I gave it up. But it still thrills me when I see a picture of that wonderful little yellow champ.
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Do you have any comments concerning this aircraft ?
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