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

"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

"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.

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

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.