Aeronca Champion
Aeronca · United States · first flew 1944 · light aircraft
The Aeronca Champion, or Champ, is an iconic 1940s fabric-covered tandem taildragger and one of the most-loved postwar light trainers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.55 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Fabric-covered high wing with rounded vintage lines
- Tandem two-seat cabin in a narrow greenhouse
- Strut-braced wing over simple tailwheel gear
Look for the slim fabric fuselage, rounded period styling and strut-braced high wing, with front-to-back tandem seating and a simple tailwheel.
Specifications
- The Aeronca Champion has a length of 6.55 m (21 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.67 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 153 km/h (95 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1944 and in production from 1945, the 65 hp Continental-powered 7AC became one of the most popular light planes of its era. Its tandem layout and gentle manners made it a favourite first aeroplane for a generation.
Variants
More powerful 7DC and 7EC marks followed the original 7AC, and the basic design lineage later evolved into the Champion and American Champion Citabria family of aerobatic taildraggers.
Where you'll see it
In the UK the Champ is a treasured vintage and tailwheel-training aeroplane rather than a club hack, kept airworthy by LAA enthusiasts and seen at vintage fly-ins and on grass strips.
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