Bellanca Citabria / Decathlon (family)

The Citabria type certificate originated with Champion Aircraft in 1964 and moved to Bellanca in 1970 when Bellanca acquired the Champion line. Bellanca produced Citabrias and Decathlons through the 1970s and into the 1980s. The 7GCAA Citabria represented the utility and light aerobatic variant with the 150 hp Lycoming O-320. The Decathlon 8KCAB launched in 1970 specifically for serious aerobatic training, adding the AEIO-360 fuel-injected engine with inverted fuel and oil systems.

Bellanca went through financial difficulties in the early 1980s and stopped Citabria and Decathlon production in 1981. The type certificate eventually went to American Champion Aircraft in 1989, which has continued production of various Citabria and Decathlon variants from Rochester, Wisconsin. Bellanca-era airplanes remain the largest pool of used Citabria and Decathlon inventory.

The Decathlon in particular built a strong reputation in IAC competition and aerobatic instruction. The combination of 180 hp, full aerobatic envelope including inverted flight, and tandem layout made the airplane the dominant aerobatic trainer for decades. Many current acro pilots learned the maneuvers in a Decathlon. The 7GCAA Citabria served as the intermediate step up from the 7ECA for pilots wanting more performance without the Decathlon's full aerobatic capability.

The 7GCAA Citabria cruises at 115 to 125 KTAS at 65% power, burning 8.5 gph. The Decathlon 8KCAB is slightly slower at 110 to 120 KTAS because of the additional aerobatic gear, burning 9 to 11 gph at cruise. Climb performance favors the Decathlon at sea level (1,000-plus fpm) and altitude. Both airplanes are happiest at moderate cruise power settings.

Useful load is tight on both variants. The 7GCAA typically has 450 to 500 pounds of useful load. The Decathlon has 380 to 430 pounds because the AEIO-360 and aerobatic systems add weight. Full fuel on either runs 35 to 40 gallons depending on tank configuration. Two adults plus modest gear works on the 7GCAA. The Decathlon is functionally a one-passenger airplane for any real trip.

The Decathlon's aerobatic envelope is its differentiator. Rated +6/-5 g with sustained inverted flight capability, the airplane handles intermediate-level IAC sequences and serves as a teaching platform for serious aerobatic students. The 7GCAA's +5/-2 g rating is enough for basic aerobatic work but won't sustain inverted flight or negative-g maneuvers safely.

The 7GCAA Citabria uses the Lycoming O-320-A2B (150 hp, carbureted). Lycoming's published TBO for the O-320 is 2,000 hours per Lycoming Service Instruction 1009 BE. The O-320 is among the most-overhauled and best-supported engines in general aviation. Field overhaul runs $25,000 to $38,000 in 2026.

The Decathlon uses the Lycoming AEIO-360-H1B (180 hp, fuel injected, inverted fuel and oil). The AEIO designation reflects aerobatic certification with inverted-system capability. Published TBO is 2,000 hours per Lycoming SI 1009 BE, but the aerobatic-stress operating profile typically results in actual overhauls between 1,500 and 1,800 hours. Field overhaul of an AEIO-360 runs $35,000 to $48,000 in 2026, higher than a standard IO-360 because of the inverted-system components and increased shop scrutiny on aerobatic-flown engines.

Propeller varies by variant. The 7GCAA typically runs a fixed-pitch metal Sensenich, which is essentially zero-maintenance on a calendar basis. The Decathlon runs a Hartzell HC-C2YR-1 two-blade constant-speed prop with a 2,400-hour or six-year overhaul cycle per Hartzell Service Letter HC-SL-61-61Y Rev 12. Decathlon prop overhaul runs $3,500 to $5,500 in 2026.

Operating economics differ meaningfully between the 7GCAA Citabria and the Decathlon, primarily because of fuel burn and engine differences.

7GCAA Citabria: fuel runs $45 to $60 per hour at $5.50 to $7 per gallon and 8.5 gph. Engine reserve is $12 to $19 per hour. Prop reserve is under $1 per hour with fixed-pitch. Airframe maintenance reserve is $12 to $22 per hour, dominated by fabric work. All-in at 100 hours a year runs $80 to $120 per hour, plus $3,500 to $6,500 in annual fixed costs.

Decathlon 8KCAB: fuel runs $50 to $75 per hour at 9 to 11 gph. Engine reserve is $18 to $27 per hour (higher because of AEIO-360 overhaul cost and accelerated wear). Prop reserve is $1 to $3 per hour. Airframe maintenance reserve is $15 to $25 per hour because aerobatic stress accelerates wear. All-in at 100 hours a year runs $100 to $145 per hour, plus $4,500 to $8,000 in annual fixed costs.

Fabric re-cover dominates calendar cost on both variants. A complete re-cover runs $25,000 to $42,000 in 2026 and is typically needed every 15 to 25 years. Aerobatic-flown airplanes accumulate fabric stress faster than utility-flown airplanes, so the high end of that range is realistic for serious aerobatic use.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026 runs $50,000 to $80,000 for a 7GCAA Citabria with original fabric and modest avionics, $80,000 to $130,000 for a clean Decathlon with recent fabric. American Champion-built Super Decathlons trade at $130,000 to $200,000 with low time and modern panels. Factory new Super Decathlon from American Champion lists around $260,000.