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Stits SA-7 Skycoupe / SA-9 Skycoupe
 SA9A Skycoupe Courtesy Don Stits
The Stits SA-7 Skycoupe was one of the most common homebuilts in the early 1960s. It could be built for around $3,000 back then.
 SA7B Skycoupe Courtesy Don Stits
The SA-7 Sky-Coupe was Stits' initial entry in the "ready-made" two-place aircraft market. About 1956, the SA-7A N5581V was powered by a 65hp Continental engine.
The 1957 SA-7B N5594V had a re-designed fuselage and tail; elevator trim tab and was powered by a 65hp (later 85hp) Continental engine.
One custom-built fuselage only SA-7C was built for a 125hp Lycoming engine.
 SA-7D
The SA-7D Skycoupe, very similar in appearance to a Piper Colt, is of typical construction for aircraft of the late 1950s — welded chromoly steel tube fuselage, wooden wing, fabric covering, powered by a 125-hp Lycoming O-290-D converted from a military ground power unit.
About 1961 the SA-7D designed by Harold Dale and Ray Stits was a production version supplied in kit and blueprint form. Power options were up to 100hp.
The design proved so popular that Ray Stits, the designer, and his business partners took it through certification.
The Type Certificate for the Stits Model SA-9A Skycoupe was granted by the FAA in December 1961 after four years of testing.
 SA-7D Skycoupe
 SA-9A Courtesy Don Stits
 SA-9 Skycoupe Specifications Courtesy Don Stits
Variants:
SA-7A
SA-7B
Powered by a Continental C85
SA-7C
SA-7D
Updated with a squared off swept tail configuration.
SA-9A
A type certificated version.
Stits SA-7 Skycoupe
Engine: 1 × Continental A65, 65 hp (48 kW)
Wingspan: 24 ft 4 in (7.42 m)
Wing area: 120 sq ft (11 sq.m)
Length: 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m)
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Empty weight: 600 lb (272 kg)
Gross weight: 1,080 lb (490 kg)
Fuel capacity: 17 US gallons (64 litres)
Maximum speed: 87 kn; 161 km/h (100 mph)
Cruise speed: 78 kn; 145 km/h (90 mph)
Stall speed: 30 kn; 56 km/h (35 mph)
Range: 261 nmi; 483 km (300 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
Wing loading: 9 lb/sq ft (44 kg/m2)
Seats: 2
SA-7A
Engine: 65hp Continental
Wingspan: 24'4"
Length: 17'9"
Speed: 100 mph
Seats: 2
SA-7B
Engine: 65hp (later 85hp) Continental
Wingspan: 26'8"
Seats: 2
SA-7C
Engine: 125hp Lycoming
Seats: 2
SA-7D
Engine: 85hp Continental
Wingspan: 27'4"
Length: 19'0"
Useful load: 550 lb
Max speed: 140 mph
Cruise: 138 mph
Stall: 48 mph
Range: 410 mi
SA-9A Skycoupe
Engine: 100 hp
Seats: 2
FAA Type cert: 4A31
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