Bellanca also produces the Scout, an aircraft very similar to the Citabria. Two versions were offered, the Model 7GCBC with a 150 hp Lycoming O 320 A2B engine and a slightly larger Model 8GCBC, with a 180 hp Lycoming O 360 C2A, two feet more span, and Hoerner wing tips.
From the manufacturing line at Bellanca’s Osceola, Wisconsin plant. The Champion Model 8KCAB Decathlon is a close cousin to the Bellanca Citabria, the principle difference being its symmetrical NACA 1412 wing section, 2.5 foot shorter span, reinforced front spar, stronger, more closely spaced ribs and constant speed prop. The Decathlon semi-symetrical NACA 1412 wing makes the plane a vastly superior aerobatic ship compared to the Citabria, particularly in rolls, where the Decathlon’s shorter span and larger ailerons offer a noticeable difference. The all metal Decathlon does not have flaps.
Both planes come with 150 hp Lycoming IO 320 engines capable of prolonged inverted flight, but the Citabria also can be purchased with a 115 hp Lycoming 0 235 powerplant and a 150 hp Lycoming not specifically outfitted for viewing the world upside down. The Decathlon is designed for loads of +6 Gs and 5 Gs, whereas the Citabria is approved for + 5 Gs and 2 Gs.
The initial 14 Champion Decathlons were hand built, but they sold so well that the model soon became this country’s first production aerobatic plane.
Bellanca Scout 8GCBC
Engine: 1 x Lycoming IO-360-C2A, 180 hp.
Seats: 2.
Wing loading: 11.94 lb/sq.ft.
Pwr loading: 11.94 lb/hp.
Gross wt: 2150 lb.
Empty wt: 1290 lb.
Equipped useful load: 830 lb.
Ag useful load: 1060 lb.
Payload max fuel: 410 lb.
Range max fuel/75% pwr: 639 nm/6 hr.
Range max fuel / 55% pwr: 746 nm/ 7.9 hr.
Service ceiling: 14,500 ft.
75% cruise: 106 kt.
55% cruise: 95 kt.
Stall: 36-43 kt.
1.3 Vso: 47 kt.
ROC: 1080 fpm.
Min field length: 1245 ft.
Fuel cap: 210/420 lb.
Undercarriage: fixed tailwheel.
Decathlon
Engine: Lycoming IO 320 EIA, 150 hp.
TBO: 2,000 hrs.
Propeller: Hartzell two blade constant speed.
Length: 22 ft. 8 in.
Height: 7 ft. 8 in.
Wingspan: 32 ft.
Airfoil: NACA 1412.
Aspect ratio: 6.05.
Wing area: 169 sq. ft.
Wing loading: 10.7 lb/sq.ft.
Seats: 2.
Empty wt: 1,303 lbs.
Useful load: 497 lbs.
Payload with full fuel: 257 lbs.
Gross weight: 1,800 lbs.
Power loading: 12 lb/hp.
Fuel capacity (standard): 40 USG/240 lbs.
Baggage capacity: 100 lbs.
Rate of climb: 1,025 fpm.
Service ceiling: 16,000 ft.
Maximum speed: 142 mph/123 knots.
Cruise, 75% power @ 7,500 ft: 140 mph/122 knots.
Economy cruise, 65% power 9,000 ft: 135 mph/117 knots.
Range @ max cruise (45 min res): 574 sm/499 nm.
Range @ economy cruise (45 min res): 527 sm/458 nm.
Duration @ max cruise (no res): 5 hrs.
Stall speed (clean): 53 mph/46 knots.
Bellanca 8KCAB Decathalon
Engine: 1 x Lycoming IO-320-E1B, 150 hp.
Seats: 2.
Wing loading: 10.6 lb/sq.ft.
Pwr loading: 12 lb/hp.
Gross wt: 1800 lb.
Empty wt: 1280 lb.
Equipped useful load: 490 lb.
Payload max fuel: 250 lb.
Range max fuel/75% pwr: 468 nm/3.9 hr.
Range max fuel / 55% pwr: 540 nm/ 5.2 hr.
Service ceiling: 16,000 ft.
75% cruise: 119 kt.
55% cruise: 105 kt.
Stall: 37kt.
1.3 Vso: 48 kt.
ROC: 880 fpm.
Min field length: 1450 ft.
Fuel cap: 240 lb.
Undercarriage: Fixed tail.
2008 Super Decathlon Model 8KCAB
2008 New price: $146,900
2009 New price: $152,500
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-360-H1B, 180@SL
TBO (hrs.): 1400 Fuel type: 100LL
Propeller: 74-in., CS Hartzell
Landing gear type: Tri./Conv.
Max ramp weight (lbs.): 1950
Gross weight (lbs.): 1950
Landing weight (lbs.): 1950
Empty weight, std. (lbs.): 1340
Useful load – std. (lbs.): 610
Payload – full std. fuel (lbs.): 376
Useable fuel (gals.): 39
Wingspan (ft.): 32
Overall length: 22 ft.10 in.
Height: 7 ft. 8 in.
Wing area (sq. ft.): 169.1
Wing loading (lbs./sq. ft.): 10.64
Power loading (lbs./hp.): 10 (aerobatic)
Seating capacity: 2
Cabin doors: 1
Cabin width (in.): 30
Cabin height (in.): 45
Baggage capacity (lbs.): 100
G-limits, aerobatic: +6/-5
Cruise speed (kts.) 75% power: 128
Cruise speed (kts.) 55% power: 111
Fuel consumption (USgph) 75% power: 9.5
Fuel consumption (USgph) 55% power: 7.6
Vso (kts.): 46
Best rate of climb, SL (fpm): 1280
Service ceiling (ft.): 15,800
Takeoff distance (ft.): 495
Takeoff over 50 ft. obstacle (ft.): 904
Landing distance (ft.): 425
Landing over 50 ft. obstacle (ft.): 1051
American Champion Super Decathlon 8KCAB
New price: $113,900
Engine:Lycoming AEIO-360-H1B, 180 hp@2700@SL
TBO hrs.: 2000
Fuel type:100/100LL
Propeller type/diameter: MT CS
Landing gear type: Conv/Fixed
Max ramp weight (lbs.): 1800
Gross weight (lbs.): 1800
Max landing weight (lbs.):1800
Empty weight, std. (lbs.): 1340
Useful load, std. (lbs.): 460
Payload, full std. fuel (lbs.): 226
Usable fuel (gals.): 39
Oil capacity (qts.): 8
Wingspan: 32 ft.
Overall length: 22 ft. 11 in.
Height: 7 ft. 9 in.
Wing area (sq. ft.): 169
Wing loading (lbs./sq. ft.): 10.64
Power loading (lbs./hp.): 10
Wheel track: 6 ft. 4 in.
Wheel size (in.): 6.00 x 6
Wheel base: 16 ft. 1 in.
Seating capacity: 2
Cabin doors: 1
Cabin width (in.): 30
Cabin height (in.): 47
Baggage capacity (lbs.):100
Cruise speed (kts.) 75% power: 127
Max range (w/ reserve) (nm) 75% power: 410
Max range (w/ reserve) (nm) 55% power: 440
Stall speed (flaps up) (knots): 64
Stall speed (flaps down) (knots): 55
Best rate of climb (SL fpm): 1280
Service ceiling (ft.): 15,800
Takeoff ground roll (ft.): 495
Takeoff over 50-ft. obstacle (ft.):905
Landing ground roll (ft.): 425
Landing over 50-ft. obstacle (ft.): 1051
All Aero 