Aircraft / Aeronca / 7AC Champion
Aeronca Certified · Fixed-wing · United States
7AC Champion
Seats 2 2
Power 65 hp 48 kW
Cruise 74 kt 137 km/h
US register 1,857 aircraft 1,857 aircraft
Photo: Alan Wilson from Peterborough, Cambs, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo: Alan Wilson from Peterborough, Cambs, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo: Georgiearl47 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: kitmasterbloke · CC BY 2.0 Photo: ZLEA · CC BY 4.0
About the 7AC Champion
The Aeronca 7AC Champion is a single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft of American origin. Designed primarily for flight training and personal recreation, it serves pilots looking for a light training machine and accommodates two occupants in a tandem seating arrangement.
Created as a post-war competitor to popular light aircraft of its era, the design shares structural lineage with previous company models, including a distinct triangular metal fuselage truss layout and fabric-covered surfaces. Unlike some rivals, it allows the pilot to fly solo from the front position to enhance forward visibility. Over the decades, production has been revived by various companies through multiple iterations, and select variants were even approved for floatplane operations.
Engines fitted 1,740 aircraft
Engine Power Share of fleet Aircraft
Continental A&C65 series
65 hp
1,487
Continental C85
85 hp
125
Continental A&C75 series
75 hp
60
Continental C90
95 hp
41
Continental A65
65 hp
15
Lycoming O-235
115 hp
12
Specifications 7AC · Continental A65-8
US Metric
Dimensions
Length 21 ft 0 in 6.40 m 6.40 m 21 ft 0 in
Wingspan 35 ft 0 in 10.67 m 10.67 m 35 ft 0 in Weights
Empty weight 740 lb 336 kg 336 kg 740 lb
Max take-off weight 1,220 lb 553 kg 553 kg 1,220 lb Performance
Cruise speed 74 kt 137 km/h 137 km/h 74 kt
Max speed 83 kt 153 km/h 153 km/h 83 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne) 112 kt 208 km/h 208 km/h 112 kt
Stall speed 33 kt 61 km/h 61 km/h 33 kt
Range 235 nm 435 km 435 km 235 nm
Service ceiling 12,500 ft 3,810 m 3,810 m 12,500 ft
Rate of climb 370 ft/min 1.9 m/s 1.9 m/s 370 ft/min Powerplant
Engine Continental A65-8
Engine power 65 hp 48 kW 48 kW 65 hp
On the US register 1,857
Registered in Brazil, New Zealand, United States, Canada
1955 · 2,790 h USD
Low $18,700
Typical $23,000
High $29,000
By year built · United States · USD
Built Hours Low Typical High 1945 3,460 $29,000 $35,000 $45,000 1950 3,460 $23,000 $28,000 $36,000 1955 2,790 $18,700 $23,000 $29,000 1960 2,790 $15,000 $18,300 $24,000
By year built · United Kingdom · GBP
Built Hours Low Typical High 1945 4,240 £18,000 £23,000 £28,000 1950 4,240 £14,500 £18,300 £23,000 1955 2,790 £11,800 £14,800 £18,500 1960 2,440 £9,500 £12,000 £14,900
By year built · Euro countries · EUR
Built Hours Low Typical High 1945 4,240 €19,900 €25,000 €31,000 1950 4,240 €16,000 €20,000 €25,000 1955 2,790 €13,000 €16,300 €20,000 1960 2,440 €10,500 €13,200 €16,400
7AC Champion running costs $162 an hour
A year
Low Typical High
Fuel $2,265 $2,870 $3,315 Oil $52 $65 $84 Engine overhaul reserve $2,167 $2,667 $4,833 Annual inspection and maintenance $2,500 $3,500 $4,500 Hangar $3,000 $6,300 $9,600 Insurance $561 $769 $977 Total $10,545 $16,171 $23,309 Per hour $105 $162 $233
Engine
Model Continental A65
Power 65 hp
Overhaul 1,800 h / 12 yr
Fuel burn 3.0 – 3.7 gal/h
Fuel price $8.20 /US gal
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€12,000 ≈ $13,432
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€19,250 ≈ $21,547
1946 · 6,141 h · Belgium
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$28,000
1946 · United States
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$30,000
1946 · 4,479 h · United States
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