1969 7KCAB Full airbatic with inverted oil system Wooden spar, complete logs, 3,669 total time airframe, 843 TSMOH engine, 833 prop, new fuel tank, brakes, battery. Fabric is good. Paint is 7​/​10. Interior is 9​/​10. Can throw in Garmin 430 and Garmin 330 transponder. Has adsb out with wingtip strobe. Selling to make room for Stearman. Located in Macon, GA. Flys great and no issues.

Manufacturer year

1969

Serial Number

190

Registration Number

N5180X

Make/Model

Champion 7KCAB Citabria

Aircraft Model Overview (Reference only)

The Champion 7KCAB Citabria is a two-place, tandem-seat, high-wing taildragger designed for sport flying, training, and light aerobatics. Introduced by Champion Aircraft in the mid-1960s and later produced by Bellanca and American Champion, the 7KCAB distinguished itself from earlier Citabria variants by featuring an inverted fuel and oil system, allowing sustained inverted flight and an expanded aerobatic envelope. The name "Citabria" — "airbatic" spelled backward — reflects the aircraft's design intent as an accessible, affordable entry point into aerobatic flying. Power for the 7KCAB comes from a Lycoming IO-320-E2A producing 150 horsepower, paired with a fixed-pitch propeller. The inverted fuel and oil systems are the defining mechanical feature of this variant, enabling maneuvers such as sustained inverted flight, hammerheads, loops, and rolls within the aircraft's +5G​/​-2G certified limits. Cruise speeds typically settle around 112 knots, with fuel burn in the 8–9 gph range, making the 7KCAB economical for both local flying and modest cross-country missions. Construction follows traditional Citabria design: a welded steel tube fuselage with fabric covering, wood (or later, aluminum) wing spars, and conventional landing gear. The tandem seating arrangement places the pilot in command up front, with a passenger or instructor in the rear seat. Dual controls, generous greenhouse-style windows, and a stick-and-rudder layout give the 7KCAB the feel of a classic taildragger while supporting effective instruction in tailwheel handling, spin training, and basic aerobatics. The cabin is purposefully simple, prioritizing function over comfort. Panels on surviving 7KCABs vary considerably — many have been updated with modern intercoms, digital radios, and ADS-B Out solutions, while retaining the analog primary instruments typical of the type. Baggage capacity is limited, and useful load favors lighter occupants when fuel is topped off, particularly for aerobatic operations. In the used market, the 7KCAB holds a distinct position as one of the most accessible aerobatic-capable certified aircraft available. It is widely used by tailwheel endorsement instructors, spin training providers, and weekend aerobatic pilots. Pre-purchase considerations commonly include fabric condition and age, spar inspections (particularly relevant on wood-spar examples subject to AD compliance), engine time, and the condition of the inverted systems. A well-maintained 7KCAB with current fabric and a mid-time engine remains a sought-after example within the tailwheel and sport aviation community. For pilots seeking an honest, capable taildragger that opens the door to tailwheel proficiency and basic aerobatics without the operating costs of a dedicated competition aircraft, the Champion 7KCAB Citabria continues to be a benchmark in its category — a role it has held for more than half a century.