1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. ACA Manuals
  4. Aircrafts
  5. Citabria Explorer 7ECA
  6. Flight operations manual

ACA Citabria Explorer 7ECA Flight Operations Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Summary of Contents for ACA Citabria Explorer 7ECA

  • Page 2 CITABRIA MODELS 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC 1994 MODELS AND NEWER (Revised 01-01-01) AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT CORPORATION 32032 WASHINGTON AVE – HWY D PO BOX 37 ROCHESTER, WI 53167 Model year is indicated by serial number suffix.

  • Page 3: Log Of Revisions

    LOG OF REVISIONS AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT CITABRIA (7 SERIES) LOG OF REVISIONS Revision Pages Affected Description Change Date...
  • Page 4 FORWARD AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT CITABRIA (7SERIES) FOREWORD This manual has been prepared to inform the pilot of the features and systems incorporated in the V American Champion Citabria Models. Recommended operating procedures and performance data are provided so that maximum utilization can be obtained with the utmost of safety, economy and serviceability.
  • Page 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I OPERATING LIMITATIONS ........... 1-1 SECTION II EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ........2-1 SECTION III NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES ......3-1 SECTION IV FLIGHT PERFORMANCE ..........4-1 SECTION V WEIGHT AND BALANCE ..........5-1 SECTION VI AIRCRAFT & SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION ......6-1 SECTION VII SERVICING ..............

  • Page 6: Operating Limitations

    SECTION I OPERATING LIMITATIONS INDEX GENERAL ................1-1 FLIGHT OPERATIONS ............1-1 POWERPLANT LIMITATIONS ..........1-2 AIRSPEED LIMITATIONS ............1-3 WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITS ..........1-3 FLIGHT LOAD FACTORS ............1-4. MANOEUVRES ............... 1-4 REQUIRED PLACARDS ............1-4 GENERAL This section lists all power plant and airframe operating limitations. These limitations are also indicated in the aircraft in the form of placards and instrument colour markings.

  • Page 7: Airspeed Limitations

    Approved For Continuous Use *(low lead). Tachometer Normal Range (green arc) (rpm) 1800-2800 1800-2700 2800 2700 Maximum (red line) (rpm) Cylinder Head Temperature Normal Range (green arc) (°F) 90-500 90-500 Maximum (red line) (°F) Oil Temperatures Normal Range (green arc) (°F) 100-245 100-245 Maximum(redline)(°F)

  • Page 8: Weight And Balance Limits

    Not to be exceeded with flaps extended. No full or abrupt control movements allowed above this airspeed. WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITS Aircraft Model and Weight Centre of Gravity Range Normal Category Acrobatic Category 14.2”-19.2” 14.2”-17.3” 7ECA 1650 lbs maximum 10.5”-19.2” 10.5”-17.3”...
  • Page 9 (Includes all limitations listed in this Section in addition to weight and balance information) Acrobatic Manoeuvres Limitation Card In Baggage Compartment “Maximum Baggage - 100 Lbs.” On Forward Left Side Window “Do Not Open Above 130 MPH” “Do Not Open Above 90 MPH” - (For Full Opening Side Window) Above Fuel Shutoff Valve “Fuel 35 Gal.
  • Page 10 SECTION II EMERGENCY PROCEDURES INDEX GENERAL ....................2-1 FIRE ......................2-2 ENGINE FIRE DURING START..............2-2 ENGINE FIRE IN FLIGHT ................2-2 ELECTRICAL FIRE ..................2-3 ALTERNATOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE ............2-3 ENGINE MALFUNCTION ................2-4 ENGINE FAILURE ON TAKE-OFF ...............2-4 ENGINE AIR RESTART ................2-4 PARTIAL POWER LOS / ROUGH RUNNING ..........2-5 ABNORMAL OIL PRESSURE / TEMPERATURE INDICATIONS ....2-5 LANDING EMERGENCIES ................2-5 PRECAUTIONARY LANDING APPROACH ..........2-5...
  • Page 11 ENGINE FIRE DURING START If the fire is believed to be confined to the intake or exhaust system (result of flooding engine): 1) Continue cranking engine with starter 2) Mixture Control-IDLE CUT OFF 3) Throttle-FULL OPEN 4) Inspect aircraft thoroughly for damage and cause prior to restart If fire persists or is not limited to intake or exhaust system: 1) Mixture Control-IDLE CUT OFF 2) Fuel Shut-Off Valve on OFF...

  • Page 12: Engine Air Restart

    3) Land as soon as practical as the battery will furnish electrical power for a limited time only. If only one circuit (e.g. Radio) appears to be inoperative, remove and replace the suspected fuse with a spare of the same amperage rating. The ‘spare fuses are located above the regular fuses in use.

  • Page 13: Landing Emergencies

    NOTE The engine starter may be engaged in flight should the engine stop wind milling. PARTIAL POWER LOSS/ROUGH RUNNING 1) Follow the engine air restart procedures 2) Land as soon as practical using “Precautionary Landing Approach” procedures Carburettor icing is indicated if a gradual RPM loss is noticed. The carburettor/alternate air should be FULL HOT as long as suspected icing conditions exist.
  • Page 14 FORCED LANDING (Complete Power Failure) If the engine cannot be restarted in flight, trim the aircraft to the recommended glide speed. Remain within gliding distance of the intended of point of landing. Maintain a higher and closer pattern than normal making allowance for wind. Excessive altitude can be lost by extending flaps or slipping the aircraft.

  • Page 15: Unusual Flight Conditions

    NOTE Aircraft cannot be depended on to provide floatation after contacting the water. UNUSUAL FLIGHT CONDITIONS SEVERE TURBULENCE To prevent overstressing the aircraft do not exceed 120 MPH. in rough air. To minimize personal discomfort, decrease the lAS below 80MPH. Maintain a level flight attitude rather than flying by reference to the altimeter and airspeed indicator as the pitot—static instruments may become very erratic.

  • Page 16: In-Flight Overstress

    WARNING During the spin recovery, the airspeed will build very rapidly with a nose low attitude. Do not use full or abrupt elevator control movements. IN-FLIGHT OVERSTRESS Should an overstress occur due to exceeding the airspeed or load factor limits, aerobatics should be terminated immediately.

  • Page 17: Preflight Inspection

    SECTION III NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES INDEX GENERAL..................3-1 PREFLIGHT INSPECTION ............3-2 BEFORE STARTING ..............3-3 STARTING ..................3-3 TAXI ....................3-4 BEFORE TAKE-OFF ..............3-5 TAKE-OFF (Normal) ..............3-5 TAKE-OFF (Obstacle) ..............3-6 TAKE-OFF (Soft Field) ..............3-6 CLIMB ................... 3-6 CRUISE ..................
  • Page 18 e. Fuel Shut-Off Valve – ON f. Seat Belts – CHECK CONDITION – SECURE rear belt and harness if not In use. g. Emergency Locator Transmitter – ARMED 2) Right Wing a. Wing Root Faring – CHECK secure b. Flaps – CHECK condition, freedom of movement, security (7GCBC) c.

  • Page 19: Before Starting

    a. Horizontal Stabilizer and Brace Wires – CHECK condition, security b. Vertical Stabilizer and Tail Light – CHECK condition c. Elevator, Trim Tab and Rudder – CHECK condition, freedom of movement, security d. Tail Wheel – CHECK condition, inflation, .security. e.

  • Page 20: Before Takeoff

    CAUTION Limit the use of the starter to 30 seconds duration maximum with a two minute cooling off period between each starter engagement. During cold weather operation, (below 20 F) it is recommended that the engine be preheated by directing warm air through the opening in the bottom or front of the engine cowl. This practice will prolong the service life of the engine and starter.
  • Page 21 5) Lift-Off – 55-60 MPH 6) Climb – 75-80 MPH Take-off characteristics are conventional. It is recommended to raise the tail with the elevator as soon as possible for better forward visibility and directional control. CAUTION In the level flight attitude, the wheel brakes are very sensitive. It is recommended that the directional control be maintained with the use of the rudder only.

  • Page 22: Best Rate Of Climb

    BEST RATE OF CLIMB BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB 1) Flaps – UP 1) Flaps – 14° (2nd notch 7GCBC only) 2) Airspeed – 69 MPH 2) Airspeed – 58 MPH CRUISE 1) Level-Off – TRIM 2) Airspeed – ACCELERATE to desired cruise airspeed 3) Throttle –...
  • Page 23 envelope in Section V also reflects this change. For this reason, baggage is NOT allowed during acrobatic flight. AEROBATICS (Continued) A person learning to fly must be taught how to do so safely. The same holds true for a pilot learning aerobatics.
  • Page 24 CAUTION The use of wheel brakes is not recommended until after the tail wheel is in contact with the ground. For maximum braking, the control stick should be FULL AFT. LANDING (Obstacle) Use of normal landing procedures in addition: 1) Flaps – FULL DOWN (7GCBC) 2) Approach Airspeed –...

  • Page 25: Flight Performance

    SECTION IV FLIGHT PERFORMANCE INDEX GENERAL ..................4-1 AIRSPEED CORRECTION ............4-2 STALL SPEEDS................4-4 TAKE-OFF PERFORMANCE............4-3 MAXIMUM RATE OF CLIMB ............4-3 CRUISE PERFORMANCE ............4-4 LANDING PERFORMANCE............4-4 GENERAL This data is to inform the pilot what he can expect from the aircraft in the way of performance and to assist in pre-flight planning.
  • Page 26 INDICATED AIRSPEED vs. CALIBRATED AIRSPEED IAS, mph TIAS, mph TAKE-OFF DISTANCE AND RATE OF CLIMB VS. ALTITUDE AND TEMPERATURE AMERICAN CHAMPION MODELS 7ECA. 7GCBC, 7GCAA MODEL 7ECA 7GCBC- 7GCAA POWER 118 HP. 160 HP. 160 HP. 72CKS8-O-52’ . PROP 74DM6S8-1-56 .74DM6S8-1-56 Citabria...
  • Page 27 PRESSURE T.O. 50FT. T.O. 50FT. T.O. 50FT. TEMP ALTITUDE DIST. OBST. R/C DIST. OBST. R/C DIST. OBST. FT/MIN FT/MIN FT. FT/MIN 1240 1210 1210 1180 1170 1150 1145 1120 1110 1090 1034 1090 1060 2000 1100 1080 1070 1050 1004 1030 1020 1086...
  • Page 28 STALL SPEED (MPH) STALL SPEED FLAPS (MPH) TOP SPEED (MPH) CRUISE SPEED 75% HP (MPH - ALT) 112-7500 125-3000 125-3000 RANGE 75% HP (GALS - MILES - HRS) 36-672-6 36-500-4 36-500-4 FUEL CONSUMPTION 75% HP (GPH) BEST RATE OF CLIMB, (MPH - FPM) SERVICE CEILING (FT) 12,000 17,000...

  • Page 29: Weight And Balance

    SECTION V WEIGHT AND BALANCE INDEX GENERAL ....................5-1 LOADING PROCEDURES..............5-2 SAMPLE LOADING PROBLEM .............5-3 FLIGHT ENVELOPES................5-4, 5, 6 GENERAL It is the pilot’s responsibility to insure that the aircraft is loaded properly and within the weight and balance limitations. All flight performance, procedures and characteristics are based on this prerequisite.
  • Page 30 2) Full oil capacity can be assumed for all flights. For ease of future loading computations, the new “Empty Weight and Moment with Oil” should be determined and entered in the Sample Loading Problem under “Your Airplane”. 3) Using the Loading Graph, Figure 5-2, determine the weight and the moment of the following items and enter these figures on the Sample Loading Problem.
  • Page 31 Licensed empty Weight & Moment 1168 13527 With Oil Pilot 11.5 2185 Rear Passenger 42.0 7980 Wing Fuel - 35 Gals Max6lbs/gal 24.5 2499 Baggage—l00 lbs Max (Normal 69.0 Category Only) Gross Take-Off 1750 26191 Weight & Moment NOTE: 1) *7ECA only -6 qts oil. 2) To determine Take-Off Center of Gravity (inches aft of datum), divide the Gross TakeOff Moment by the Gross Take-Off Weight.
  • Page 32 Citabria...
  • Page 33 Citabria...
  • Page 34 Citabria...
  • Page 35 SECTION VI AIRCRAFT AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION INDEX GENERAL ...................6-1 AIRCRAFT FILE...................6-4 AIRFRAME STRUCTURE..............6-4 ENGINE ...................6-5 FLIGHT CONTROLS................6-6 FLAPS (7GCBC ONLY) ............... 6-6 LANDING GEAR AND BRAKES ............6-7 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ............... 6-7 FUEL SYSTEM ..................6-9 HEATING AND VENTILATION ............6-12 AIRCRAFT LIGHTING .................
  • Page 36 BASIC EMPTY WEIGHT (LBS) 1060 1110 1200 USEFUL LOAD (LBS) WING AIRFOIL (NACA) 4412 4412 4412 WINGSPAN (FT) 33.38 33.38 34.45 CHORD (IN) WING AREA (SQ-FT) WING LOADING (LBS/SQ-PT) 10.0 10.0 10.59 ASPECT RATIO DIHEDRAL 2° 2° 2° ANGLE OF INCIDENCE 1°...
  • Page 37 FIGURE 6-1 AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS Citabria...
  • Page 38 Citabria...
  • Page 39 AIRCRAFT FILE The aircraft file includes the required paperwork that must be in the aircraft or available upon request. These items will reference the aircraft by serial number, model number and registration number. The aircraft identification plate, which also contains this information, is located on the cabin floor to the left and forward of the rear seat.

  • Page 40: Flight Controls

    ENGINE The Citabria is powered by a carburetted Lycoming four cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct drive engine. The all metal, fixed pitch propeller is designed to give good take-off and cruise performance. The wet sump oil system is conventional with the pressure and temperature automatically. controlled by an internal engine driven gear pump and external oil cooler.
  • Page 41 An elevator trim tab is mounted on the left elevator. The trim control is located on the left side of the cabin between the two seats. Take-off position is indicated by a white dot on the control quadrant. Rudder trim is provided by ground adjustable tab located on the rudder control surface. FLAPS (7GCBC ONLY) Wing flaps are mechanically operated by cables and interconnected by a torque tube.

  • Page 42: Landing Gear And Brakes

    LANDING GEAR AND BRAKES The heavy duty spring steel conventional landing gear allows routine operations on rough landing strips. The steerable Scott tail wheel allows excellent directional control during taxi operations with the use of wheel springs which are attached to the rudder control surface. The tail wheel also provides free swivelling of 360°...
  • Page 43 All electrical switches and fuses are located on the electrical panel which is installed on the upper left side of the cabin. Additional spare fuses are also provided in the panel and can be used for replacement during flight if necessary. A red master switch controls all electrical power from the battery and alternator to the distribution bus with the exception of the engine magnetos.

  • Page 44: Fuel System

    NOTE Failure to turn the master switch OFF after securing the aircraft will result in a complete discharge of the battery. The alternator circuit includes an overvoltage relay which automatically removes it from the circuit to prevent damage to the alternator or the radio equipment should an overvoltage condition occur.
  • Page 45 The fuel tanks are vented together with the vent located on the left wing. An orificed one-way check valve allows a minimum of fuel to be vented overboard during negative G aerobatic manoeuvres. An ice defleccraft inadvertently encounter icing conditions. Citabria 6-11...

  • Page 46: Heating And Ventilation

    WARNING The fuel caps are the non-vented type. Failure to properly secure the caps will result in fuel leakage and unequal fuel feed between the two tanks during flight. An engine fuel primer is located on the instrument panel to facilitate starting Turn the knob to release the plunger then pump the desired amount.

  • Page 47: Flight Instruments

    has both a clear and a red lense with an adjustable beam. The intensity is controlled by a rheostat which is located on the back ‘of the light fixture. The exterior lights include the standard navigation lights on the wing tips and rudder, High intensity wing tip strobe lights are optional.

  • Page 48: Cabin Features

    set or deactivate the ELT, place the switch in the “OFF” position then return to the “ARM” position for automatic activation. NOTE Maximum range of the ELT is best achieved by removing the unit from the aircraft and placing the antenna in the upright position and as high as possible. CABIN FEATURES The main door (two piece split-type optional) can be jettisoned in flight by removing the door pivot pins.
  • Page 49 Included in this corrosion proofing are additional primer coatings to all structural steel tubing fittings with the inside tubing surfaces oil coated. All structural aluminium is also primed with epoxy. All control cables are stainless steel. CAUTION If the aircraft is to be converted to floats or used for aerial chemical applications, the corrosion proofing must be applied at the time of manufacture if a normal airframe life is expected.
  • Page 50 SECTION VII SERVICING INDEX GENERAL....................7-1 SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS............... 7-2 GROUND HANDLING................7-3 JACKING ..................... 7-3 MOORING ...................7-3 INSPECTION/SERVICING ACCESS ...........7-4 FUEL SYSTEM ..................7-4 BATTERY ....................7-5 BRAKES ....................7-5 TIRES ....................7-6 ENGINE LUBRICATION ..............7-6 ENGINE AIR FILTER ................7-6 CLEANING...................7-6 EXTERIOR SURFACE ................ 7-6 WINDSHIELD..................7-7 ENGINE ....................
  • Page 51 FUEL Type - Aviation Grade 80/87 Minimum Octane, or 100/130 Octane Quantity - 36 Gals. (18 gals, in each tank) - 35 Gals. Usable (17.5 gals, in each tank) Type - Aviation Grade (See engine manufacturer’s specifications) Quantity - 8 Qts. (6 qts.
  • Page 52 JACKING The tail can be lifted by hand with a suitable support placed under the tailwheel spring at the fuselage attach point. The main wheels can be raised by lifting one wing at a time at the wing struts next to the wing attach fittings.
  • Page 53 FUEL SYSTEM Use 100LL minimum octane or 100/130 (100/130 low lead for 7ECA) octane aviation fuel. Observe all required precautions when fueling the aircraft. Fill each wing tank through the respective filler neck on the top surface of the wings. The caps are non-vented type and must be properly secured or fuel will siphon out and feed unevenly during flight.
  • Page 54 Use only MIL-H-5606 hydraulic fluid (red). TIRES Tire condition should be checked during pre-flight. If the tire tread is no longer visible, it should be replaced. Inflate tires with compressed air. Main Wheels - 24 ± 2 psi Tail Wheel - 40 ± 10 psi ENGINE LUBRICATION Access to the oil filler port and dip stick is through the inspection door on the engine cowl.
  • Page 55 CAUTION Don not use gasoline, benzine, alcohol, octane. Carbon tetrachioride, lacquer thinner or glass cleaner on the plexiglass as crazing will result. Never rub with a dry cloth as the surface can be easily scratched ENGINE The engine can be washed down with a commercial engine solvent or kerosene base solvent. Avoid excessive contact of solvents on the electrical components such as the magnetos, starter, etc.

This manual is also suitable for:

Citabria explorer 7gcaaCitabria explorer 7gcbc

Table of Contents