Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.
Today’s Top Pick is a 1957 American Champion 7EC Champ.
While the recent announcement of the FAA’s MOSAIC rules open the door for a wide range of aircraft to qualify for light sport aircraft (LSA) operation, the American Champion Champ has been doing it for years.
Like many fabric-covered taildraggers dating to the 1930s and ’40s, the Champ was light, small, and slow enough to qualify for the LSA category from the beginning. It is also a full-blown certified airplane, giving pilots more options.
This aircraft for sale has certain upgrades, including ADS-B and a bigger-than-original engine that make it more practical for today’s airspace while keeping it simple enough to transport its owner, at least partially, back to the middle of the last century.
This 1957 Champ has 8,990 hours on the airframe and 230 hours since overhaul on its Continental O-200 engine. The aircraft originally was a 7FC, also known as the Tri-Traveler, and was converted to the 7EC tailwheel configuration. Upgrades include a Continental O-200 engine, Scott tailwheel, vortex generators, and Stratus ADS-B transponder. The panel also includes a Narco radio.

The aircraft was re-covered and painted in 2023 and received a new interior in 2009
Pilots looking for a vintage interpretation of a light sport aircraft with taildragger charm that also happens to be certified should consider this 1957 American Champion 7EC Champ, which is available for $45,000 on AircraftForSale.
If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use our airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.
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