HOME  Super Decathlon |
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The American Champion Aircraft Super Decathlon is often seen performing at air shows. It is certified by the FAA for light aerobatics to + 6 or - 5 G's.
The Super Decathlon is an improved variant of the Citabria. Its wing is 1 1/2 feet shorter and is semi symmmetrical instead of being flat bottomed. Its engine puts out 20 more horsepower. These traits make the Super Decathlon more maneuverable, especially while inverted and pulling negative G's.
Part of its air show popularity is due to the fact that the aircraft is larger than some other high performance machines, while being able to perform many of the identical aerobatics at slower speeds. This helps keep it in view of an audience for more of its routine.
Flight instructors appreciate the qualities of the Super Decathlon for teaching aerobatics. They often use words like simple, easy to fly, and forgiving to describe it.
Students and instructors alike appreciate the comfortable, wide cabin of the aircraft. Everything is sensibly located and easy to reach. For a tail dragger, the forward view is as good as you can get. There is only a simple trim control for the elevator, directly connected with the stick.
Control pressures are surprisingly light, and the aircraft is pleasantly responsive without the fear of being over controlled. It is capable of most maneuvers a student is willing to try, and has plenty of rudder and elevator authority without being twitchy.
There is less power available in the Super Decathlon than in unlimited aerobatic performers. This means that a student must learn to master power management and control coordination to get the most out of the aircraft.
Although the take off roll of the Super Decathlon is a few feet longer than the Citabria due to its semi symmetrical wing, it will get off the ground in less than 500 feet.
Landings are especially easy. The aircraft will side-slip to the maximum in cross winds while maintaining a runway heading and quickly lose altitude without building up air speed.
To date over 9,000 Super Decathlon aircraft of all types have been produced.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
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recreation
two
Lycoming AE10-360
180 h.p.
22' 1"
32' 0"
1,340 lbs.
1,950 lbs.
40 U.S. gals.
610 lbs.
147 mph
200 mph
1,280 fpm
15,800 feet
560 miles
7/2/72 |
The rc Super Decathlon ARF from
ParkZone. Wingspan is 35" and length is 25". A 370 brushless motor comes with the 1 lb.
airplane.
Radio Control Airplanes
The ads above and right below are for the rc Super Decathlon from ParkZone. It comes both as a ARF and RTF.
The picture below the ad is of the giant scale rc Super Decathlon built from a Dynaflite kit. It has a wingspan of 89" with a length of 69". Engines can be 25 to 35 cc gasoline, 1.08 to 1.80 two cycle or 1.20 to 1.60 four cycle. Weight is about 17 lbs.
Pictured third below is the giant scale Super Decathlon rc from a Kit Cutters kit designed from Wendall Hostetler Plans. It comes with a wingspan of 115" and length of 82" or with a wingspan of 127" and a length of 89 1/2".
Hacker has a ARF Super Decathlon rc airplane. It is made from EPP with a 39" wingspan and a 27 1/2" length. It weighs about 13 1/2 oz. and needs a Speed 400 motor for power.
Esprit Model has a rc Super Decathlon for sale. Wingspan is 43 1/2", length is 30 1/2" and weight is about 1 1/2 lbs. To power it you will need a 190W motor spinning a 10 x 7 propeller.
AMR - Aircraft Model Research has a giant scale Super Decathlon kit. Wingspan is 165" and length is 108". From 150 to 210 cc engines are required for power.
Thunder Tiger has a 64" wingspan rc Super Decathlon ARF for sale. Its length is 45", construction is all wood, and colors can be red or white. A .40 to .46 two stroke engine can power the 6 lb. scale model rc airplane.
Ultrafly Models has a rc Super Decathlon ARF with a 43" wingspan, a 32" length, and a weight of 2 lb. 3 oz. A 150W motor is recommended to power it.
RC Guys has a 1/4 scale Super Decathlon for sale. It is made from balsa and plywood. Wingspan is 98", length is 66", and weight is about 14 3/4 lbs. For power you will need from .90 to 1.60 2C or 1.20 to 2.70 4C engines.
Great Planes has a Super Decathlon kit. It builds to a wingspan of 64" and a length of 45". Materials are balsa and plywood. Weight is around 6 3/4 lbs. Engines recommended are from .40 to .46 two cycle or .48 to .70 four cycle.
The kit appears to have been discontinued, but may be found from time to time on eBay.
In the last picture below is the Pilot RC giant scale Super Decathlon ARF for sale by Troy Built Models (TBM). It has a wingspan of 180", and a length of 122". Recommended engines are a DA-200 or ZDZ-210. Weight is around 74 lbs.
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