1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC
Fall 2020
9/4/2020.
Purchased 1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC
9/16/2020
Ace mechanic Gary from Flying Dutchman Aviation, Hudsonville, MI repaired the carburetor, made a new fuel line (tank to Gascolater). Now the Champ will idle.
10/20/2020
Ace flight instructor Nate from Fremont Airport, Fremont, MI (KFFX) taught me how to fly the Champ and helped me earn my tailwheel endorsement.
10/30/2020
Ace mechanic John from Avcraft Ltd, Fremont MI and Inspector Mike installed an STC for auto fuel. Here in West Michigan we have 90 octane non-ethanol fuel available at many local gas stations. Mix that with some 100 LL aviation fuel to simulate 80 octane aviation fuel.
1/20/2021
Ace mechanic John from Avcraft Ltd, Fremont MI built new door hinges and repaired the entry door that often times was difficult to open from the inside.
1/25/2021
Ace mechanic/inspector Mike installed an STC to allow me to fly the Champ without the door.
1/29/2021
Flew the Champ and practiced landing on pavement in cold conditions. Used plenty of pre-heat and it started on the third pull through. Oil temperature gauge never moved. The low end temperature of the gauge is 140 degress F so it is probable that the oil temperature was slightly less than that. I had applied power with the throttle fairly slowly, as I usually do, but in the cold temperatures it was disconcerting to hear and feel an engine stumble.
1/30/2021
Ordered a new oil temperature gauge that will start indicating at 100 degress F on the low end. Also, blocked off the opening that provides cooling air to the oil pan. Also, built a baffle plate that will block air from directly impinging upon the air filter box but instead will allow the air to come in around the baffle plate. The design for this is from a Continental engine service bulletin (M64-6) from 1965 concerning 4-cylinder Continental engines operating in air temperature 32 degress F or less. The reason for building the baffle plate was because the engine exhibited a stumble when transitioning from idle to full power. In addition, I adjusted the idle mixture screw "out" (rich) 1/3 turn. Next fairly calm wind day, with moderate cold temperatures I plan to test these changes.
1/31/2021
Built a homemade adapter cable for use with the hand held radio to hopefully fix the intermittent function of the push to talk switch. Will confirm the cable next flight.
2/1/2021
Installed baffle plate described above 1/30/2021. Reinstalled the Icom handheld radio and the new adapter cable described above 1/31/2021. Operated the Champ on a partly sunny day with high cirrus clouds, temperature about 26 degress F, and winds around 5-10 knots from the North/North-Northwest. Following pre-heat instructions from Teledyne Continental Service Information Letter (SIL 03-1), I directed heat from a propane salamander onto the oil pan for 30 minutes. I checked the oil at the dip stick and it was plenty warm and "runny". Cylinder head on left front was warm to the touch and cylinder head on right fron was cool to the touch. I cracked the throttle, gave it 4 shots of primer, and pulled the prop through about six times with switch off. I gave it 2 shots of primer, switch on, and it started on the first pull and continued to run at about 1100 RPM. So far, so good. I let it run a bit longer than usual, then taxied to runway 01 (fairly long time.) Did the usual run-up, and departed. VERY nice throttle, response from idle to full power. No stumbling. Did three take offs and landings and the Champ operated in all phases VERY nicely. It idled VERY nicely. The best this Champ has ever performed. VERY happy. Oil temperature gauge did not move. Cylinders were very warm/hot to the touch after shut down.
10/30/2023
Installed rudder trim tab. On calm day, will fly straight and level with hands and feet off.
