American Champion Aircraft
33 used American Champion aircraft listings · $49,900–$329,500 · last refreshed 3 hours ago
About American Champion Aircraft Company
American Champion builds the modern descendants of the classic Champion/Aeronca tailwheel line — fabric-covered, high-wing taildraggers loved for aerobatics, training and backcountry flying. The **Citabria** ("airbatic" backwards) is a docile aerobatic and tailwheel trainer; the **Super Decathlon** is the more capable aerobatic mount (+6/-5 g, constant-speed prop); and the **Scout** is the heavy-hauling utility/backcountry taildragger. All share rugged steel-tube-and-fabric construction and honest taildragger manners. There are currently 33 used American Champion aircraft for sale.
American Champion Aircraft for Sale
Price $49,900–$329,500
American Champion Aircraft Price & Cost
How much does a American Champion aircraft cost? Current pricing for used American Champion aircraft (also known as American Champion choppers or American Champion helis) is broken down per model in the table below — covering acquisition price, hourly operating cost and overhaul cost.
| Type | Model | Used price range | Op cost / hr | Annual fixed | Overhaul cost | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Engine Piston | $159,000–$265,000 | — | — | — | 3 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $68,000–$79,900 | — | — | — | 2 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $120,000–$120,000 | — | — | — | 1 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $125,000–$125,000 | — | — | — | 1 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $222,000–$222,000 | — | — | — | 3 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $200,000–$329,500 | — | — | — | 10 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $218,500–$218,500 | — | — | — | 2 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $49,900–$69,000 | — | — | — | 3 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $85,500–$110,000 | — | — | — | 6 | |
| Single Engine Piston | $135,000–$148,000 | — | — | — | 2 |
The cost of a American Champion aircraft depends on model, year, hours flown, avionics and condition. See operating costs and pre-buy checklist in the About section, or open a specific model page for a detailed price guide.
American Champion Models
Single Engine Piston
American Champion Models — Specifications
Model spec| Model | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–now | — | — | — | — | 4 | |
| 1968–now | 1 | 100 kts (185 km/h) | 595 nm (1,102 km) | — | 2 | |
| 1968–now | 1 | 109 kts (202 km/h) | — | — | 1 | |
| 1998–now | 1 | 109 kts (202 km/h) | — | — | 1 | |
| 2002–now | — | 130 kts (241 km/h) | — | — | 3 | |
| 1996–now | 2 | 113 kts (209 km/h) | — | — | 11 | |
| 1993–now | 1 | 123 kts (228 km/h) | 423 nm (783 km) | — | 2 | |
| — | — | — | — | — | 47 | |
| — | — | 100 kts (185 km/h) | 595 nm (1,102 km) | — | 3 | |
| 1965–now | — | 109 kts (202 km/h) | 479 nm (887 km) | — | 6 | |
| — | — | — | — | — | 24 | |
| — | — | 113 kts (209 km/h) | 938 nm (1,737 km) | — | 18 |
Compare American Champion Aircraft
vs. Competitors (6 of 9)
Showing the most-searched matchups. Open a model or family page for its full set of comparisons, or browse all comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions — American Champion
Is the Citabria a good tailwheel trainer?
The American Champion Citabria is widely considered one of the best tailwheel trainers available. It has tandem seating with excellent forward visibility (no need to S-turn while taxiing like many taildraggers), forgiving stall characteristics, and enough aerobatic capability for basic introduction to loops and rolls. The main caution: 34% of Citabria accidents involve runway loss of control on landing — tailwheel aircraft demand constant attention during ground operations. Used Citabrias start around $30,000-$50,000, with annual operating costs of approximately $3,500 at 50 hours/year.
Citabria vs Decathlon — what is the difference?
Both are built by American Champion, but they serve different roles. The Citabria is the basic model — great for tailwheel training, recreational flying, and introductory aerobatics (positive-G maneuvers only). The Super Decathlon has a slightly different airframe with fuel and oil systems designed for limited inverted flight, making it suitable for aerobatic training and competition. The Decathlon costs more (approximately $4,000/year to operate vs $3,500 for the Citabria at 50 hours) and commands higher resale prices. Choose the Citabria for tailwheel training; the Decathlon for serious aerobatic progression.
Are American Champion aircraft still in production?
Yes. American Champion Aircraft continues to manufacture the Citabria, Decathlon, Scout, and Denali series from their factory in Rochester, Wisconsin. They have made significant upgrades including all-metal wings (replacing the older wooden spar design that was a maintenance concern), improved interior options, and modernized avionics. The Scout is their utility/bush model with STOL capability, while the Denali is an adventure-oriented variant. On AeroGurus, we list 50 active American Champion aircraft.
What is the American Champion Scout good for?
The American Champion Scout is a tandem-seat utility aircraft designed for backcountry and bush flying. With a 180hp Lycoming engine, large tundra tires, and STOL performance, it excels at off-airport operations — remote strips, hunting/fishing camps, and farm/ranch use. The Scout sits between a Piper Super Cub (simpler, lighter) and a CubCrafters XCub (faster, more refined, much more expensive). For buyers who want a rugged, affordable tailwheel backcountry airplane with factory support, the Scout is a compelling choice.
American Champion Inventory by Country
| United States | 82 |
| United Kingdom | 6 |
| Canada | 5 |
| Australia | 1 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Norway | 1 |
Recently Sold American Champion
| 1975 CITABRIA 7GCBC | $45,000 |
| 1961 Champion 7FC | $27,907 |
| 1974 CITABRIA 7ECA | $72,500 |
| 1999 7-GCAA ADVENTURE | $123,500 |
| 7KCAB | $60,000 |
| 2003 8GCBC | $225,000 |