Aeronca Model 7 Champion / L-16

1945


	Virtual Aircraft Museum / USA / Aeronca

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

Specification

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	22 ft 6 in
Height	2.13 m	7 ft 0 in
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed	161 km/h	100 mph
Ceiling	3840 m	12600 ft
Range	435 km	270 miles

Comments

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bob, e-mail, 15.06.2011 17:57

soloed in 7ac 1957, Ft. Fairfield Maine, dirt field, instructor, John Philbrick, $10.00 an hour rental plus gas,
still have pilots certificate, in 1961 I wanted to buy a Chief, in St. Joseph Mo. cost wass $800.00 but before I could, someone else was testing it and the engine fell out on final apporach.

Paul Schrimscher, e-mail, 22.05.2011 21:52

The foregoing comments brings back fond memories of my first solo in Aeronca 7AC N2731E on 6 /26 /53 as a young lad of 17 at what is now Tampa International airport. It used to be called Drew Field during the war and there was miles of open areas which is now covered by homes and businesses..The aircraft only had a radio receiver for contact with the tower which meant you "rocked" your wings if you understood the message.In the event the battery powered radio failed, you relied on light gun signals from the tower. Of course, my radio failed on my first solo which made it a memorable landing experience. Great aircraft.

Harry Saunders, e-mail, 22.05.2011 03:31

I had a 1946 Champ and loved to fly it. I ground looped it once with no Damage. The right wing just brushed the top of the grass. It did not hit the ground. Used to prop it by myself with the tail wheel tied down. once it was ideling I would untie the tail wheel and Jump in to the cabin and taxie for take off.

Gene Hall, e-mail, 16.05.2011 06:20

My life long adventure, in the world of aviation, began by learning to fly the "real way", in a taildragger. I began my 50yr career in 1955 at Hillcrest Airpark (long since converted to streets, sidewalks, houses and schools)in Logan, Utah owned by Dean Reese (also long departed). I was a student at Utah State University. The aviation dept. owned two 7AC Champs which we flew for $2.25 /hr. wet. I soloed 7AC N1618E on July 28, 1955. I couldn't beleive how much better that 65hp Champ performed without Dean in the back seat. God rest his soul. I received my Private in 7AC N84908 Sept 24, 1955. The hours I spent in the 7AC give me a good background for bigger and more powerfull taildraggers. I later flew AT6s and F6F Hellcats as a civilian of course. I owned two Cessna 195s, two Cessna 180s, and two Supercubs and have flown the backcountry in Idaho in the Cubs and 180s, all taildraggers! As someone said before me 'it all started with the Aeronca Champ'. Many years later I was entering the pattern at Allentown, PA ,early one Sunday morning, in a United Airlines 737. A Champ had just turned from base leg to final. The tower called him and insructed him to go around and let United land first. I keyed the Mike and said,"negative myself and my copilot both got our Private tickets in a Champ I will extend my downwind, out of respect for a mighty fine airplane and let the Champ land first." The tower replied," roger the Champ will disregard and continue the approach". On July 28, 2005 I borrowed the 1957 Supercub I had sold to a friend and flew back to Logan Cache Airport and lande on the same runway I had soloed on 50 years to the hour ealier. So my flying career lasted 50 years to the hour. Boy what a ride and it all began with the Air Knocker.

Vern Baisden, e-mail, 03.05.2011 22:27

Please don't say ,"Aeronica" It's Aeronca. Study the sylables. Then again some people say "nucular" instead of nuclear.

Vern Baisden, e-mail, 02.05.2011 20:52

It's not listed here. There was an Aeronca 15 AC, 4 place aircraft. It had a Continental O-300, 145 hp, 6 cylinder
engine. It was a high wing, fabric covered fuselage and empenage. With all metal wings. I liked the very large windows and low speed performance. It was an excellant sightseeing airplane . We took up passengers over the Thousand Islands from a small dirt strip near the thousand islands bridge in upstate NY. It was a pleasure to fly. This was in the late 1950s. I understand 561 were built.

Ken Stephens, e-mail, 30.03.2011 06:06

Solo Flight 1972 South Norfolk Airport VA in Aeronica 7-AC N2192E Rebuilt by Father Ken Stephens Ret Piedmont Airlines.

David Nichols, e-mail, 07.03.2011 21:14

I SOLOED An Aeronca CHAMP 7AC, N82589, ON SATURDAY MORNING,
9 JUN 1962 AT SUFFOLK AIRPORT, (SFQ). I WAS FOURTEEN (14) YEARS OLD, BORN 4 NOV 1947.GEORGE A. CALES, MGR. OF THE AIRPORT OWNED THE AIRPLANE BACK THEN.IT WAS "PINK & WHITE" THEN. WORKED AT THE AIRPORT FOR GEORGE, FOR MY FLYING TIME,PLUS TWO (2) DOLLARS PER WEEK, TILL GOING INTO THE ARMY AND ON TO VIETNAM IN 1968(4 Trips '68 THRU '72).IF IT WERE NOT FOR GEO.A.CALES,GIVING A SKINNY,UNDER ACHIEVING KID A CHANCE, WHERE WOULD I BE TODAY? I ASKED MYSELF THIS OFTEN! THEN I REALIZE JUST HOW TRULY "BLESSED" I HAVE BEEN. FOR SOME REASON, YET UNKNOWN TO ME, HAVING BEEN ALLOWED TO "SURVIVE" FOUR TOURS IN VIETNAM, WHILE BETTER MEN DID NOT, FLYING HELICOPTERS FOR THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE AND RETIRING WITH 30 YEARS SERVICE, AND NOW FLYING 600 HRS. A YEAR FOR A CORPORATION OPERATING A CITATION BRAVO AND CHALLENGER 601-3A. YES,GEORGE, YOU DID GOOD BY THAT CURLY HEADED KID BACK IN SUFFOLK! DEAR LORD, I PRAY YOU'LL LOOK AFTER HIM IN HEAVEN. HE'S KINDA "Rough" AROUND THE "EDGES," BUT HE'S GOT A HEART OF "ABSOLUTE" GOLD!

RUSSELL DAVID NICHOLS, RICHMOND,VA (FCI)

JOHN FISHER, e-mail, 07.03.2011 06:06

ONE EASTER WEEKEND IN THE 60ES I CAME BACK HOME TO MUENSTER FROM HOUSTON AND MY OLDER BROTHER CLYDE SPENT THE WEEKEND TEACHING ME TO FLY. ON MONDAY MORNING BEFORE GOING BACK, AT THE GAIENSVILLE AIRPORT HE GOT OUT OF THE CHAMP N85625 WHERE WE WERE DOING TAKE OFF'S & LANDINGS CLYDE GOT OUT AND SAID TAKE IT AROUND. HE IS GONE BUT I HAVE THOESE GREAT MEMORIES.

JOHN FISHER, e-mail, 07.03.2011 06:04

Everett A Smith, e-mail, 06.03.2011 20:23

I took training in thr Champ at Okla A@M college, obtained my Private ticket from a Mr Vacin at Enid Ok Woodring airpoin 1951. This training ended with serving 20 years in the Army flyingfixed wing and rotary wing AC.

Dave Hughes, e-mail, 06.03.2011 15:47

I soloed in 1956 /57 in Swanton VT. on wheeles and skies.
At the time it cost $4 per hour for the indtructor plus
a 5 gal. can of Amico non lead gas.
Had a great time, never flown since..

Xboeingcapt, e-mail, 06.03.2011 01:03

I never flew a champ, always admired them..I started in J3 cubs. When I retired from airline flying, I got into aeromodeling. I have quite a collection of giant flying replicas. I put together a one half scale Aeronca Champ. Wingspan is 17'7 weighs about 120lbs, 11'5 length. If you're interested, you can watch me fly it on youtube, under "half scale champ" or "Champ Naples january 2011" It sure flies sweet, thinking of buying a full scale one!

Tom Brown, e-mail, 06.02.2011 18:47

I soloed a 7AC Champ in 6hrs 45 min dual at $10 /hr in 1962. I was a 20-year old student with a part-time job earning $1.00 /hr. My instructor in North Little Rock, Arkansas was Mr. McFadden. I was more surprised than anyone when he got out of the airplane without saying a word and walked back to the hangar. A man of few words, I think he intended for me to solo ... so I did. Before that, my biggest thrill was when he told me to go to another place on the airport and taxi the airplane back to his hangar. I had to keep my flying habit a secret because my mother would not have approved. I eventually flew Navy jets off the carrier in Vietnam and ended up retiring from UAL flying the left seat of a B-747-400. In my 50 years of flying, I can count the thrills on one hand that match the thrill of that first taxi or solo. RIP Mr. McFadden.

Blogengeezer, e-mail, 28.01.2011 05:34

Friend read about flying planes while in HS. Had no money for flight or lessons so hitched ride to closest airfield where he had admired one near the fence. First aircraft he had ever sat in and impulsively started it. Taxied and revved to get the feel and it lifted off. He followed the highway to a farm near his home. Came in low over the trees and set it down. Showed us his treasure. We taxied and roared back and forth but no way to take off in that short pasture surrounded by trees, so finally admitted his deed to authorities. He eventually became a responsible pilot after that one indescretion.

phil randall, e-mail, 07.01.2011 18:15

Canadian Air Cadet Sqdn.#18 trained on 3 - 7AC "Float Equipped" aircraft in the 1960's in Nova Scotia. Aircraft were "Ski Equipped" for winter flying on the snow covered lakes. Excellent training aircraft & very reliable in our environment.

Phyllis Barber, e-mail, 22.12.2010 20:35

N2082E My first lesson. 9-28-59 After saying (since a young chiled)"Some day I am going to learn to fly" at age 34 I started. With Iowa winter and a grass strip I did not solo until April. I went on to get a Private, Commercial, Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings. Now at 85, I have many wonderful memories. Tri-Pacer, J-3 Cub, Cherokees, Comanche, Apache, Aztec, Musketeer, Bonanza, Cessnas and Mooney - ALL great airplanes. It all started in the Champ.

Don, e-mail, 18.12.2010 22:24

Nothing on the site(that I could find) regarding the Aeronca Chief, Defender & Sedan

Brad Bennett, e-mail, 15.12.2010 21:25

Our Ga Tech flying club had a 7AC during my school years of '51 to '55. I flew it several times from Charlie Brown Airport in Atlanta to Daniel Field ( my home town airport in Augusta.) Having learned in a J-3 Cub where you must solo from the back seat, it was nice to drive the 7-AC from the front.

Brad Woodhull, e-mail, 15.12.2010 05:12

In 1946 my friends ran "Weeburg" airport at Elmira, NY. They sold Aeroncas and I well remember not only the Champ but the "Chief", which was a side by side two seater. They X licensed the Champ to tow Schwiezer sailplanes during the glider meets there during the summer season. Whatever happened to the Chiefs?

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