Thanks for the replies. I'd like a bit power more on floats, but it's s bit of a fleeting thought since straight floats wouldn't be the right setup all the time unless it was a second airplane. ��
Swapping skis and wheels is one thing, but on/off floats shouldn't be more than twice a year. A Champ for me is probably best left on wheels. There's also some plain Citabrias around that might be better suited for a short term wheel/ski machine. And actually a Champ with a Dons Dream Machine too, but a little high in price.
pb
That doesn't surprise me as the Citabria probably needs the Scout gear to get the AOA up, and maybe gear and some 26" wheels. Problem is I'm trying to decide if I'm looking for an interim plane for just fun, or more purposeful. As always I'd like to put 5 lbs in a 1 lb bucket. Cost vs mission vs fun factor vs value.Champ is WAAAAY better on skis than Citabria, even given the Citab has more power.
Angle of attack, angle of incidence make a big difference. Floats to wheels 2 guys 3.5 hours, so changing is not that big of a deal.
As long as it's light it would be a fun airplane. I had a C90-8 Champ on EDO 1400 as my first floatplane and had 100+ hrs of fun on floats with it. I know of a 0235 Champ on PK floats for sale out by Syracuse.
Glenn
Bill Rusk wisdom, buy a plane for 90% of your flying, not the 10% you think you'll do.
Glenn
Only one I have at work the past owner gave me. I left the ventril fin off, it's ugly
View attachment 25358
Glenn
Oops, maybe you mean the 0235 one?
I believe this is same one that's in my hangar. The floats are like new.40m, if you don't need the 0235, this one on Barnstormers is available up in Maine, with floats, skis and gear. Not a bad deal for the whole kit.
View attachment 25359
I believe this is same one that's in my hangar. The floats are like new.
Yes his plane is in hangar. Seems like a nice plane. believe ed peck put all new skins on floats. I haven't seen a nicer set of pk,s. Had not known about him listing it on Barnstormers. IF u want to look at it 90ME airport.Ha, that's funny. Never ceases to amaze me how small the internet has made the world. Owner's name is Brian D?
pb
...The 115HP has a lot of weight on the nose and with full up-nose trim it takes quite a bit of pressure on the stick to keep the nose up on landing. It flies good with about 50lbs in the baggage compartment. It also is easier with a butt in the back seat. I don't have a lot of hours in it yet so my preception may change after I have flown it more."
Anyone have the same experience with the 115hp being nose heavy?
pb
The 0-320 powered 7GCB which I had was also nose heavy on floats. It would run out of up elevator on landing unless it was landed very tail low and with a touch of power. Most of the time touching down a bit nose high it was impossible to keep the nose up as the step drag on touch down would overpower the up elevator. This problem was solved by cutting off the stabilizer just outboard of the outboard elevator hinge. This piece was then welded onto the elevator making the whole assembly the same as the later Citabrias. This mod increased the amount of elevator area increasing it's authority. Nose heavy problem solved, gone.Farmboy,
That old post was mine. I was just beginning my SES endorsement and had bought the Champ described. I quickly got use to the nose-heavy feeling, and in hindsight, it really wasn't as big of deal as I made it sound. While I owned and flew it, it was a blast, and some of my most memorable flying was done with it. Champs are great little planes!..
The 0-320 powered 7GCB which I had was also nose heavy on floats. It would run out of up elevator on landing unless it was landed very tail low and with a touch of power. Most of the time touching down a bit nose high it was impossible to keep the nose up as the step drag on touch down would overpower the up elevator. This problem was solved by cutting off the stabilizer just outboard of the outboard elevator hinge. This piece was then welded onto the elevator making the whole assembly the same as the later Citabrias. This mod increased the amount of elevator area increasing it's authority. Nose heavy problem solved, gone.
I also had to add the seaplane fins. Without the fins when the rudder was pushed and the plane skidded, it would remain flying sideways until the pilot corrected it.