Decathlon | FerrariChat

Decathlon

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by SkyKing, Aug 26, 2011.

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  1. SkyKing

    SkyKing Rookie

    Dec 31, 2010
    41
    Chatham, Ontario
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    #1 SkyKing, Aug 26, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My plane is a Decathlon that I've owned and flown since 1992. Although limited in how far you can go in aerobatics, it's a fun plane regardless. You can fly comfortable cross country, and do a few loops and rolls along the way. As well, it's an affordable plane for me. Burns around 8.5 gal./hr. you can see from the panel that instrumentation is minimal, and thus less costly, but plenty sufficient for good 'ol VFR flying. Stressed for +6 and -5 G's and will fly a nice acro box. If you want to land on a friend's grass strip, that's OK too !
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  2. Savoy6

    Savoy6 Formula Junior

    Jun 25, 2007
    250
    Lago Vista, Tx
    Full Name:
    John
    yeah they are alot of fun to fly. the one i flew had heel brakes. whoever came up with that a. didnt have lil feet.
    b. should be drawn and quartered by a1 skyraiders.
     
  3. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2005
    3,507
    Behind a drum kit
    Full Name:
    Mr. Chupacabra
    Nice looking Decathlon!

    The Citabria I fly has those God forsaken heel brakes, too. Only thing about the airplane I don't care for. OK, the inverted flight/negative G limitations suck, too. :)
     
  4. SkyKing

    SkyKing Rookie

    Dec 31, 2010
    41
    Chatham, Ontario
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    I've never flown one with heel brakes. That wouldn't be so good. Mine has toe brakes. As for the inverted flight, the Citabria has a flat bottom wing and the Decathlon is symmetrical and much shorter - two different wings. A -5 is a pretty decent rating for negative G's.
     
  5. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2002
    25,932
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    I love Decathlons and Citabrias!

    I've flown with heel brakes, although not on a Citabria. I don't mind them-- you don't want to use them unless you are at taxi speed anyway, so heel brakes kind of enforce that rule.
     
  6. SkyKing

    SkyKing Rookie

    Dec 31, 2010
    41
    Chatham, Ontario
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    I grew up learning to fly a Cub and a Champ [ heel brakes ] back in the 60's. Heck, where we lived in rural Canada, we flew planes before we drove cars, and that was as a young teenager [ as in 14 or so ]. Anyway, heel brakes were the norm in many planes, and fortunately were phased out. The Bellanca/American Champion line of aircraft were a great design, which is why they are still made today. And may I add, made in America [ I'm a real pro-American Canadian and try to buy as much American product as possible - yes, the Ferrari was a slight deviation-sorry ! ].
    Anyway, we then flew Tiger Moths, Chipmunks, and other British stuff [ remember, we are still part of British Commonwealth - no 1776 revolution ] and built Spitfires, Mosquitos, Lancasters, and Hurricanes during the war years here in Canada. Now there's a funky means of brakes in most of these mentioned planes ! You have to manage the throttle, the control stick, and have a 3rd hand to pull a lever on the left side for brakes ! I usually hold the stick with my knees and then I have two hands to do the rest. I fly a Stearman as well - good 'ol American plane - built like a tank. Love it.
     
  7. davebdave

    davebdave Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 18, 2007
    2,381
    Northern VA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    Beautiful Decathlon. A favorite of mine also. My dad says the only problem with heel brakes is you can't fly barefoot. I agree.
    Dave
     

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