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Citabria with gyros
After long consideration, I have decided on the type of plane to
purchase: A Citabria 7ECA. What led me to this decision was the following desire. I want to be a part time instructor and I think the perfect niche for me is roving tailwheel and spin trainer for the flight schools in my area. I have about 75 hours in tailwheel planes and I am nearing my commercial certificate, so, this will not happen for a few months yet. So, tailwheel and spin training is my primary mission profile. Of course, add in that I would like to do some simple aerobatics in it and possibly compete in basic and sportsman. I realize that a 7KCAB would be better for the aerobatics purpose, but, it also has reduced payload and increased operating cost. Besides, a 7ECA should be competitive against the Cubs and Taylorcraft you occasionally see in the Sport Aerobatics listings of recent competitions. Here is the question: In order to make the plane more functional, and increase its utility, it would be nice to have gyros in the panel. I know that Citabrias have either a high or low panel, and that the high panel can even be outfitted for IFR. How much damage does spinning and occasional aerobatics do to the non-cagable gyros and how much extra weight is involved in the high panel and three gyros (plus possibly one more radio)? Thanks for the information. -- Bob Esser, Ph.D. Electronic Sciences and Technology Division Navy Research Lab Washington, DC |
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"Bob Esser" wrote in message
... After long consideration, I have decided on the type of plane to purchase: A Citabria 7ECA. What led me to this decision was the following desire. I want to be a part time instructor and I think the perfect niche for me is roving tailwheel and spin trainer for the flight schools in my area. I have about 75 hours in tailwheel planes and I am nearing my commercial certificate, so, this will not happen for a few months yet. So, tailwheel and spin training is my primary mission profile. Of course, add in that I would like to do some simple aerobatics in it and possibly compete in basic and sportsman. I realize that a 7KCAB would be better for the aerobatics purpose, but, it also has reduced payload and increased operating cost. Besides, a 7ECA should be competitive against the Cubs and Taylorcraft you occasionally see in the Sport Aerobatics listings of recent competitions. Here is the question: In order to make the plane more functional, and increase its utility, it would be nice to have gyros in the panel. I know that Citabrias have either a high or low panel, and that the high panel can even be outfitted for IFR. How much damage does spinning and occasional aerobatics do to the non-cagable gyros and how much extra weight is involved in the high panel and three gyros (plus possibly one more radio)? Thanks for the information. -- Bob Esser, Ph.D. Electronic Sciences and Technology Division Navy Research Lab Washington, DC I have AIM electric gyros in my Waco YMF. Lots of rolling and looping in the 850 hours it has flown since new. My AH just now rolled over and I am sending it in for an overhaul. I just cage the AH with the caging knob and fly all the aerobatics I want. Most times I pull the circuit breaker for the gyros but sometimes I forget. Rick Pellicciotti, Belle Aire Tours, Inc. http://www.belleairetours.com |
#3
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"Bob Esser" wrote in message
... How much damage does spinning and occasional aerobatics do to the non-cagable gyros and how much extra weight is involved in the high panel and three gyros (plus possibly one more radio)? Don't know but I wonder what the experience of C150 operators was back when spin training was required? They had gyros and they did spin. |
#4
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How much damage does spinning and
occasional aerobatics do to the non-cagable gyros and how much extra weight is involved in the high panel and three gyros (plus possibly one more radio)? Gyro instuments are subject to damage under the stress of aerobatics. There are some expensive gyro's out there that are built to withstand aerobatics but typical units will suffer a short life. Some aircraft are fitted with removeable gyro packages for this reason. If you are not looking to file IFR and just want something for a little extra security during VFR flight, take a look at some of the totally solid state packages that provide a poor man's glass cockpit on an IPaq or equivalent hand held computer. The sensor package is set up to be velcro mounted in the cockpit so it can be removed when not needed. I haven't looked at prices lately but they were about $1500 a year ago at Sun n Fun. Dave Swartz Fort Lauderdale, Florida http://www.FlightFantastic.US |
#5
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Bob Esser wrote in message ...
Here is the question: In order to make the plane more functional, and increase its utility, it would be nice to have gyros in the panel. I know that Citabrias have either a high or low panel, and that the high panel can even be outfitted for IFR. How much damage does spinning and occasional aerobatics do to the non-cagable gyros and how much extra weight is involved in the high panel and three gyros (plus possibly one more radio)? It depends on what you want to use the gyros for. Most FBOs will not spin planes used for IFR training. The gyros aren't going to just die because of the spin training but they won't work as well over the long run. |
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