Piper J3 and Aeronca Champ Comparison

In this video we explore the differences and similarities between a 1946 Piper J3 and a 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champ

[@pi.actual]

I learned to fly in a J3 back in 1969 and carried an ingrained and unsupported dislike of Champs for many years even though I had never so much as sat in one. After years of renting Cessnas, Grummans and Piper Cherokees I found that if you wanted to rent a taildragger the only choice you usually had was a Citabria so I tried that and thought hey, this ain't bad at all. Then one day I stumbled upon this '58 90hp 7EC Champ for a price I couldn't refuse so I bought it. That was 12 years ago. Sure there's the open door thing but you can take the door off a Champ and fly it okay if you want. The only thing is that even with a Cub after about half an hour or so you just want to close it. Enough wind is enough wind already. I still love Cubs but now I love Champs too. They are both easy to fly but it takes practice and skill to fly them gracefully and keep that ball between the lines.

[@Mike_PSU_MSW]

I had the same experience - did all my flight training in a 180HP Super Cub (I know we should all be so lucky) and drank gallons of Lock Haven Yellow Kool-Aid. Then I got in an 85HP L-16/Champ with dirt low expectations and loved it (metal climb prop & tundra tires). Owned it for three years now and love every minute in it.

[@MalcolmRuthven]

I learned to fly a long time ago in (mostly) 7AC Champs but also a J-3 Cub, both 65 hp. I definitely prefer the Champ, because (1) you fly from the front seat, (2) it cruises 10 mph faster, and (3) to me it's lighter on the stick and requires less movement of the stick.

[@J3PiperCub]

I mostly agree with , I would have bought a Champ when I wss shopping if I had found the right one.

[@twoturnin1]

old man was IA and had numerous. Cubs and "Airknockers". Even nose geared J-3 that was idiot proof ! flown both models in different engines 65-85-90. 7ac faster and heavier - Cub lighter and when "washing wings" "in and out" you get a fast or slow Cub as in long cross country .

[@jimmydulin928]

I taught zero timers at Ag Flight in Champ 7AC and Ag Ops in SuperCub. I liked teaching in J-3 from up front fine, but the back seat almost on the floor of the SuperCub with feet near butt level was hard on my back. The 7AC seat in back is a bit higher and more comfortable. I ended up with a ruptured disk. All good airplanes.

[@wheelsupbardown]

Cub pros: 1. Fly with the door open 2. You can chase deer and not outrun the deer 🤣 For real though, solid info! My father's building a C-90 champ I can't wait to fly, but I wouldn't turn down that cub door in the summer!

[@Charon58]

PA-11 vs Champion AC? I’ll take the PA-11. But J3 vs Champ? Champ

[@pcbondart]

The Aeronca Champ to own was called the Citabria!

[@barrynash1676]

What are you talking about?

[@cpnmikes]

Excellent video! We are starting a "Cub Club" here at a local grass strip with a '39 J3 .. it's in process of being put back together at the moment.. seriously can't wait! The Cub is an definitely iconic airplane, and I do agree about the coolness factor....

[@u4eahere530]

This was an excellent informative video! Thank you!

[@roystoys3239]

Another of the differences is that a Cub has a 3 mph window for a perfect 3-point landing. The Champ has a different airfoil providing a 7 mph window for a 3-point landing.

[@SeniorIzzy]

Aeronca used a float fuel gauge, (from a Model "A" Ford, I believe) but it provided indication on a small gauge that you would view inside the cockpit. Not the outside wire gauge like the Cub. Many Champs have been changed to the floating wire type because of its simplicity :)

[@J3PiperCub]

Interesting, all the ones I have flown have been float type, thanks !

[@SeniorIzzy]

@@J3PiperCub No worries. I really enjoy your videos and you did a great job on this one and believed your comparisons were fair and accurate! Thanks. Keep them coming!

[@charlesharrell3643]

Flew both and would chose the Champ EVERY time.

[@pcbondart]

hmmm . . . i noticed neither plane had a skid-slip indicator, needle and ball, if you will . . . why not?

[@J3PiperCub]

Skid-slip indicators are not FAA required equipment, my Cub does have a ball type indicator, which is common in Cubs, but not required.

[@johnhicks9542]

I was able to start my 46 Champ standing in front of the door and reaching inside to where I could close the throttle or turn the switch off. I always used this method when I had the skies on in the winter. Summer I removed the door completely just because I could.

[@ohwell2790]

The deciding thing for me would be that the Aeronca can be flown solo from the front seat.

[@SoloRenegade]

And the J-3 Cub was designed by Taylor, not Piper. Still wondering why the US Army chose the J-3 over the Wittman Buttercup though. Perhaps J-3 was easier to fly or simpler to make, or had more manufacturing support (but any company could have been contracted to make Buttercups, as was done many times in WW2).

[@J3PiperCub]

Actually I think it was designed by Walter Jamouneau, perhaps tandem was preferred, thats for watching.

[@SoloRenegade]

@@J3PiperCub yes, he had a hand in it, but he using Taylors designs. Taylor split from Piper to continue designing other aircraft.

[@Leftypounder-fz2rb]

Have flown both. For some reason I like the Champ. Can't say why. Just feels right.

[@robertcovell2787]

I got my PPL in a Cub. Sweetest little airplane ever!. I'm too old to fly full size now ... failed medical but i can fly RC. Guess what? My favorite model is a 1/4 scale J3. Who knew?

[@daveestes-z4q]

I owned two Aeronca Defenders years ago and a Piper J5, liked the Defender's landing gear but also liked the J5, they were all good flying and fun airplanes and were cheap to buy back then, never paid over $2800 for any of them, back then we did most of our own work and recovering on our planes

[@otiebrown9999]

Excellent!

[@Charon58]

The passenger in the cub doesn’t sit in the front seat. When you solo a J-3 you have to sit in the back for w/b but, 4:19 if you have a passenger, you can fly from the front seat

[@J3PiperCub]

You are right, but I know nobody who does that.

[@robinj.9329]

I prefer a full coweled version, like the PA-11. And more horsepower. Like a 100 or 115 hp Lycoming.

[@avee8ter]

Airport Manatee!

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

Time in both and the Taylorcraft, but prefer the Champ and owned a Champ for the reasons detailed here and in the comments. Looking for another 'project' one. Well detailed comparison 👍👍

[@carlosballesteros4670]

Wonderful video for a wonderful pair of great airplane. I used to own an Aeronca champion 7AC with tricycle landing gear configuration originally installed in factory. I like Cubs and super cub much more. Then, why did I buy sn Aeronca? Pretty simple: on México you don't have many options and cub and pa18 are so scarse so I had to decide to go for the Aeronca. It wasn't bad whatsoever. The little one resulted in a great "running back" , excellent floater, hard to climb, hard to make 80 MPH or so once airborne but in general terms, fun and acceptable. I'm 63 and still waiting for a lucky moment to get my super cub. Nevertheless, a cub is my second choice. Thank you so much for this comparison and please, keep up the great work you do. Kudos!

[@rogerbost5652]

7:05 time in your video you show a picture of a red and white champ. Where did you come across this picture?

[@J3PiperCub]

I don't remember, I don't think that is one from my field.