Ramp Appeal: Super fun

In the beginning there was the Champ. The two-seat tandem aircraft was a competitor to the Piper Cub, and many found it superior.

As pilots demanded more power and more fun, the Citabria came along (airbatic spelled backward). The Citabria is aerobatic, but most models don’t have a true inverted fuel and oil system. So while they are good for spin training and an occasional loop and roll, Citabrias aren’t serious aerobats. To address that need and give pilots a true hardcore performer, the Decathlon (that’s nolhtaced spelled backward) was introduced in 1972.

For personal fun flyers, transitioning to tailwheels, introduction to aerobatics, and aerobatic competition, the Decathlon is unrivaled. It is easy to fly, doesn’t have any bad habits, is relatively inexpensive, and looks great. But for more serious aerobatic performances, it lacks big power. That’s where the Super Decathlon comes in.

With a 180-horsepower Lycoming AEIO-360, fully inverted fuel and oil system, and aerobatic limits of plus 6 and minus 5 Gs, the Super Decathlon is a true aerobat. Earlier models had wooden wing spars, although an aluminum retrofit is possible and generally preferable.

SPEC SHEET

American Champion Super Decathlon

Specifications

Powerplant: 180-horsepower Lycoming AEIO 360-H1B with fully inverted fuel and oil systems
Seats: 2
Length: 22 ft 11 in
Height: 7 ft 8 in
Wingspan: 32 ft
Empty weight: 1,305 lb
Max gross weight: 1,950 lb, 1,800 lb for aerobatics
Fuel capacity: 40 gal

Performance

Cruise speed: 122 knots
Range: 416 nm
Fuel burn: 9.6 gph
G limits: +6, -5