Aurora or Adventure

J

jashah

New member
Hi,

I just got my tailwheel signoff in a Citabria Aurora and I am thinking of buying a new one now. This would be for pleasure flights and short trips by myself or with one other person. I can't decide between the 118 HP Aurora or the 160 HP Adventure. There is an 11,000 dollar price difference plus the increased fuel consumption of the Adventure. Any advice or experience with either of these two planes?

Thanks
 
I'm also considering new and am torn between these two models. The 7ECA will still outclimb a 180hp Cessna 172 last I checked. I've only flown the 160hp Adventure and it was a fantastic climber..but I don't know that I would pay an extra 11k for the difference..not to mention the 400HR shorter TBO.
 
You guys seriously planning to take them out to TBO?
Are you going total private ownership? because it usually takes decades to get to TBO that way.

Either way, both are solid choices. They are the same airframe, just an engine swap. Generally, the 7GCAA is more attractive because of the horse power. Who doesn't like horsepower?

However, the 7ECA Aurora is the most underrated plane we make. I think its the most airplane you can get for the money. You lose some climb, but only 5-10% cruise speed. Mix that with a 35-40% reduction in fuel consuption and the little guy has some serious range (for its class anyway).

Either of you gents headed to Oshkosh?


Edit:
And BTW, if you are buying new, now is the time. Its a buyers market right now. Custom new ones can be churned out in less than 8 weeks, plus there is dealer stock (though I only can think of one Aurora and no Adventures. Mostly Decathlons and Scouts)
 
Unless you guys need a tax write off, why on earth would you look at a new plane? Talk about a buyers market on used planes! You can get a used 7ECA with low times for 1/3 of the cost of new, and use the savings for a second plane.

But that's just my opinion.
 
There are some people who prefer new to used. I'm one of them. Unfortunately my wallet will not allow me to buy new. I wish I could, but thank goodness for the people that can. They provide the used aircraft that come down the pike for us. Also they keep the company in business that provides the engineering advancements/products that make our planes more practical. I never discourage a person from buying new. He gains a reliable aircraft with the back up of the factory and he can have it built exactly as he wants it. If you can afford new, please do, and thank you.
 
I am 100% behind ernstmfg. I wish I could buy new also. I have owned planes for over 20 years and buying used/old planes is all I can afford. But the constant repairing and fixing worn out stuff does take its toll. Sure would be nice to just be able to fly and not having to worry about what is going to break next.
WW
 
If no one ever buys a new plane, then all there ever will be is used planes.
Like ourselves, they never get younger.
 
Thanks for all your comments. Unfortunately, I am not going to Oshkosh.

Jerry - I was just curious why all Citabrias use MPH instead of kts? No big deal but I am so used to "thinking" in kts, it would be nice to a have a airspeed indicator with kts as the primary speed scale.
 
Its sort of legasy trickle-down. Basically, as the early 7's all used MPH for calculations, they never really converted as the designs were based off the previous one. At the point we are at now, EVERYTHING is in mph. Besides, us slow planes need to avoid Kts so we dont feel slow. :p

If its any consolation, the inside ring of the Airspeed Indicator has Kts.
 
SideSlip said:
Unless you guys need a tax write off, why on earth would you look at a new plane? Talk about a buyers market on used planes! You can get a used 7ECA with low times for 1/3 of the cost of new, and use the savings for a second plane.

But that's just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I was only considering new until I saw what the used prices looked like, you guys confirmed the eye opener.
 
I have a 1999 GCAA which I purchased in 2001. Here are a few things to consider

Rate of Climb: On a hot day, at sea level with a passenger on board I see a rate of climb of 600-800 fpm which is fine but not a rocketship. The climb rate of a ECA under those conditions will be significantly less.

Fuel Burn: If you fly a GCAA at the same speeds as the ECA the fuel burn will similar, it just will take a lot of will power to do so knowing that there are another 15 MPH of cruise speed available if you just push the throttle in.

Resale: A GCAA is more expensive but it will likely be worth more when you sell it as well. As friend once told me "you are not buying any airplane (new or used) because you are looking for a way to save money" :)

I am sure you will be happy with either the ECA or the GCAA. Good Luck and let us know what you buy.
Mark
 
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