Major changes to the aerobatic, high-winger include the enlarged rear cabin windows, the square-cut vertical tail surfaces, and low-drag wheel spats similar to those on the Champion 7KC Olympia. The Citabria’s basic wing, fuselage, and undercarriage are similar to previous tandem two-seaters. When Bellanca introduced its version of the 7ECA, the airplane was fitted with a 115-hp Lycoming. The Champion two seat aircraft was powered by a 108hp Continental fourcylinder engine. Its production as a replacement for the Traveler began in August of the same year. Champion’s first Citabria flew as a prototype in May 1964.
The Champion 7ECA Citabria was a modernized version of the Champion Model 7EC Traveler. The name “Citabria” is actually “airbatic” spelled backward.
