This 1957 American Champion 7EC Champ Is a Light Sport-Eligible ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Antique taildragger comes with just enough modern upgrades.

1957 American Champion 7EC Champ [Courtesy: Kolby Pfyl]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Today's Top Pick is a 1957 American Champion 7EC Champ, which uniquely qualifies as both a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and a full-blown certified airplane.
  • This vintage taildragger features modern upgrades, including ADS-B and a larger Continental O-200 engine, enhancing its practicality for today's airspace.
  • The aircraft has been well-maintained and recently restored, with a re-cover and paint in 2023, a new interior in 2009, and is available for $45,000.
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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.

READ MORE: Equipment to Buy when Purchasing an Airplane

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.

1957 American Champion 7EC Champ [Courtesy: Kolby Pfyl]

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.

FLYING Staff

FLYING Magazine is a one-stop resource for everything aviation, including news, training, aircraft, gear, careers, photos, videos, and more.

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