Aeronca Champ type design...

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Bell206

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Bell206
Are there any E/AB kits or designs that follow a Champ's lines and dimensions?
 
Bell206 said:
Are there any E/AB kits or designs that follow a Champ's lines and dimensions?
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The Christavia.

300px-Christavia_MK_I_%28N145WK%29.jpg


https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/categories/building_materials/bm/menus/kits/christavia.html

Edit: Oops, that's the Canadian site. For the majority here: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/categories/building_materials/bm/menus/kits/christavia.html
 
Join the National Aeronca Association or join Aeroncamuseum.org.

You can get all of the Champ plans for just a few bucks.
 
Matthew Rogers said:
That Christivia Mk4 4 place looks pretty good. Why have not heard about it before now? Anyone know or have seen one?
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There are hundreds of homebuilt designs, and the more popular tend to be slick-looking, much faster machines. The Christavia/Champ has that maiden-aunt charm that doesn't appeal to most pilots.
 
Dan Thomas said:
There are hundreds of homebuilt designs,
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Do you know of any other high-wing designs that have larger doors and a possible side by side option that would allow a tall, older person to get in and out fairly easy? An old friend first lost his ability to roll into his Super Cub then lost his medical. We started looking at Champs and now E/AB to keep him focused forward.
 
Bell206 said:
Do you know of any other high-wing designs that have larger doors and a possible side by side option that would allow a tall, older person to get in and out fairly easy? An old friend first lost his ability to roll into his Super Cub then lost his medical. We started looking at Champs and now E/AB to keep him focused forward.
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Sure. The Cyclone. Not cheap to build. http://www3.sympatico.ca/st-justaviation/
It's a big airplane.

Most E/AB airplanes are small and tough to get into. I'm almost 66 and have arthritis all over the place, so I know what it's like to get into a Cub or Husky. The Champ is far easier. That four-place Christavia might be the answer, but I've never seen one so don't know.

These things take time and plenty of money to build. If your "old" friend is old, he has to take that into account. Might be better to buy a decently-built homebuilt and get on with the flying.
 
Bearhawk, or Bearhawk LSA might have big enough doors. Forgot that the LSA is a tandem seat tho....
 
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Wag-Aero's wagobond
 
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Bell206 said:
Do you know of any other high-wing designs that have larger doors and a possible side by side option that would allow a tall, older person to get in and out fairly easy? An old friend first lost his ability to roll into his Super Cub then lost his medical. We started looking at Champs and now E/AB to keep him focused forward.
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I'd go with the suggestion of the Glasair, Sportsman.
They are a spendy kit, but very nice aircraft. lots of pre-made parts ready to assemble.
 
Bell206 said:
Do you know of any other high-wing designs that have larger doors and a possible side by side option that would allow a tall, older person to get in and out fairly easy? An old friend first lost his ability to roll into his Super Cub then lost his medical. We started looking at Champs and now E/AB to keep him focused forward.
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I assume you are looking for something that qualifies as an LSA?
On the no help at all side of the equation, my ride (Merlin GT), Avid Fliers, Kitfox (at least the early one's) and derivatives can be a challenge - the issue isn't so much door size as it is the seat tends to be a bit high off the ground if you are going in ass first, then you have to get a leg around the stick. Then they tend to be short on legroom once you get in. I would think that a center stick and a step welded to the gear (or from the lower longeron) could make a big difference, but it's hard to say fur sure. (I made the right side stick removable to make it easier for my daughter to get in and out.)
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
I assume you are looking for something that qualifies as an LSA?
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As much as he thinks he can get his medical back, I'm thinking of pushing him to LSA. So the answer would be yes. And my thinking is we can further modify the airframe to make it as easy as possible for him to get in.
 
Bell206 said:
As much as he thinks he can get his medical back, I'm thinking of pushing him to LSA. So the answer would be yes.
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Unless you really need the extra seats, the medical just isn't worth the trip. You can tell him I said so. :)

List of potential LSA experimentals:
https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aviation-in...sa-aircraft/Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft

The ultralightish looking aircraft would be winners in the entry/egress catagory, but may not be acceptable as "airplane" enough.

Got water? https://www.searey.com/ You have to get over the sill, but...

It could take some time to work through the list of "not the big name brand" aircraft - but you might find a gem...
 
Dan Thomas said:
If your "old" friend is old, he has to take that into account. Might be better to buy a decently-built homebuilt and get on with the flying.
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I tried that tack. And look where it got me. At 78, he want's to build it which is fine with me. He's been building aircraft and engines forever. This would be his 1st E/AB.

The plan is to finish his current Super Cub project this summer as it is sold firewall aft. So, that leaves him with an extra O-320. However, in my limited experience on this side of things, I don't think we could put that into something and keep the LSA ability? He does have several O-200s laying around in pieces he/we could build up.

As of now I think the Christavia and Wag-a-Bond are on the short list as they better mirror his abilities and experience after building 30 or so Cubs in his lifetime.

Appreciate everybody's help.
 
Tom-D said:
Wag-Aero's wagobond
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If you had to guess, do you think the Wag-a-Bond uses J3 parts like the original Vagabond did? He has a number of J3 parts "in stock."
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Unless you really need the extra seats, the medical just isn't worth the trip. You can tell him I said so.
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He doesn't need the seats. I think he's starting to internally realize he's on the downhill side which has led to the E/AB discussion. And the reason I'm helping him with this. He's been flying since 15 and flew big-iron professionally from 21 to 65 reaching the top 10 seniority listing at a major airline. I don't win many debates with him but will pass your message along.;)
 
If your friend is wanting to fly solo legally, he might be out of luck if he applied for a medical and was subsequently denied. That pretty much rules out Basic Med and light sport.
 
there are many nice 7acchamps around that have never been over 1320 gross wt .it took 3or4 years to find what I was looking for and a lot of $.and than a lot of $ to make it as I wanted. I am now the owner of the most upside down champ on the planet. but it is what I wanted and it will be my estates problem at some point.start looking or find a good dealer to find you one as I did.
 
Greg Bockelman said:
if he applied for a medical and was subsequently denied.
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Negative on the denial. He let it expire. He's been through the medical loss/regain hoops before due to previous issues and understands the limitations. But thanks for the info.
 
Bell206 said:
Negative on the denial. He let it expire. He's been through the medical loss/regain hoops before due to previous issues and understands the limitations. But thanks for the info.
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Well, in my defense, in your post. #6 you stated that your friend “then lost his medical.” That usually means “denied”. Glad to hear it just expired. He should be good to go on the Basic Med route.
 
Bell206 said:
Do you know of any other high-wing designs that have larger doors and a possible side by side option that would allow a tall, older person to get in and out fairly easy?
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Rans S20 appears to fit the bill - big wide doors, seat moves back easily. The big issue would appear to be be the seat height off the ground.
 
Bell206 said:
As much as he thinks he can get his medical back, I'm thinking of pushing him to LSA. So the answer would be yes. And my thinking is we can further modify the airframe to make it as easy as possible for him to get in.
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Greg Bockelman said:
Well, in my defense, in your post. #6 you stated that your friend “then lost his medical.” That usually means “denied”. Glad to hear it just expired. He should be good to go on the Basic Med route.
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As long as nothing has changed that may require an SI, then BasicMed is what I would suggest any pilot. But keep in mind, with BasicMed there is a list of conditions that require you get an SI before you can fly with those conditions on BasicMed (see: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/basic_med/). In my opinion, the biggest advantage of BasicMed is that your Primary Care Physician cannot deny your ability to fly LSA later.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Rans S20 appears to fit the bill - big wide doors, seat moves back easily.
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The S-20 is an expensive airplane, as far as RANS go. I'd start with S-6S Coyote II. Gear is not particularly tall on it - just tall enough to permit easy boarding (admittedly, from a perspective of a taller pilot).
 
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