Thinking about a used Citabria/Super-D

W

wickedsprint

New member
First post, name is Tony and I'm a PPL, allbeit still with my trainign wheels. I'll get my Tail endorsement when I get back from Iraq in the Fall.

I've always had a love affair with these airplanes, so I took a lesson in a 160hp 7GCAA before I left..and it was a blast. I've always wanted to own an airplane instead of being at the mercy of the flight club and I'm thinking about a 7GCAA or simply going with a Super-D. I like that the Super-D is a bit more sturdy for acro and has the inverted systems and CS prop, especially with my field elevation being >6K. I'm guessing this increases the chances of it being abused more before being put up for sale. Is this an unfounded worry and I should simply look for the nicest example I can afford?

I also like how a normal 7GCAA/ECA is a lot more affordable and seem to be easier to find. The FP prop also keeps maint issues cheaper.

On another note, why will his forum not let me search for topics?
 
Welcome to the Forum, lots of good info here. I own a 1975 7gcaa 160 hp. its a real good preformer. can't go wrong with one. I've never flown a super d. and i dont' do much acro with mine.
 
I think the first thing you need to decide is how much acro do you intend to do? An occasional loop, spin, etc. will be handled by a GCAA without a problem. If you plan on flying arco daily or even weekly, then hands down a Decathlon, preferably a Super especially at your altitude. I do not own a Super but do own a Decathlon with fixed pitch prop and 150HP at sea level. I can tell you for sure that apples to apples the GCAA model will outperform on climb, landing distance, and payload the KCAB same engine prop etc. I would assume a Super with 180 will out perform a 150 GCAA and with the available increase in gross probably do as well if not better in that area also. How much acro do you want to do, the real question.

Ken
 
I have a Super D, and like many folks I'm only a casual-occasional-loop kind of guy. The real reason I chose the Super D (as opposed to the other models) is the bigger engine with constant speed prop (great x-country performance), coupled with the airframe being stressed to +6/-5. I will never approach those G limits with the casual stuff I do, but I love the feeling that any past owner may have indeed put much more stress on the airframe than I do, and the plane is built to handle it, so I have less chance of having bought damaged goods. Plus, if I ever get into some severe turbulence (wake turbulence, T-storm gust front, whatever...), I will come out the other side shaken but with a probably-undamaged airplane.
 
I'm at Ft. Bliss and own a Super Decathlon. The extra performance is quite welcome here (airfield elevation 4100', DAs are +7000' from March-November), especially while giving dual instruction. I've also flown a Citabria and the difference is night and day. Consider purchasing one with the HGW (high gross weight), landing gear, or purchasing the gear from ACA. The cost is not that bad when you consider the increase in useful load (it increases the normal category weight from 1800 to 1950- this is a big difference if you are a normal size male and wish to use the airplane on a cross country with another person and bags). Feel free to PM me or call me if you have questions or wish to fly one at a high DA.
BTW, if you PCS stateside the military will move one "vehicle" if you are single, two if you are married. We have another two years at Ft. Bliss before our next move and my intent is to run my current car into the ground before then (it is a 2001 with 160,000 miles); purchase a new car at the new duty station; have the military pay me milage for flying the Super D. to the new duty station.
Keep your head down over there. I thought I never would see a dust devil again when I left that place. I forgot about Ft. Bliss.
 
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