American Champion Scout
American Champion Aircraft · United States · first flew 1974 · light aircraft
The American Champion Scout is a two-seat STOL utility light aircraft in the Champion/Citabria family, distinguished by full-span leading-edge slots that allow very slow flight and short-field performance beyond contemporary light aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.86 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tandem two-seat fabric-covered high-wing STOL with full-span leading-edge slots
- Long-stroke bungee main undercarriage and large balloon tyres for rough terrain
- Large glazed side windows giving panoramic visibility from both tandem seats
High-wing strut-braced tandem two-seater with prominent leading-edge slots along the full wing span, fabric covering over steel tube, and a flat-opposed Lycoming engine. Closely resembles the Aviat Husky but has slightly larger windows and a more squared-off tail fin; the full-span slots are the definitive identification feature.
Specifications
- The American Champion Scout has a length of 6.86 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.97 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 185 km/h (115 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Scout designation (8GCBC) evolved from the Champion Aircraft Citabria series and was acquired by American Champion Aircraft of Rochester, Wisconsin, in 1990. It combines a fabric-over-steel-tube fuselage with a slotted high-lift wing to give genuine bush-flying capability, tracing its lineage to the 1940s Aeronca Champion through successive Champion Aircraft and Bellanca ownership.
Variants
The 8GCBC Scout uses a 180 hp Lycoming O-360; late-production aircraft may be fitted with tundra tyres and optional cargo pod. American Champion also offers the Citabria Aurora, Explorer, and Adventure as companion models sharing much of the same structure.
Where you'll see it
Popular with US Fish and Wildlife Service patrol pilots, bush operators in Alaska and northern Canada, and recreational pilots seeking a genuine STOL aircraft; also used for glider towing and banner towing.
Related aircraft
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