Citabria vs Piper Cub

[PilotRPI]

I know these aren't really comperable planes, but I after getting my tailwheel endorsement last Spring in a Cub, I finally had the chance at a Citabria last weekend.

They both fly nice and light and are very balanced. When in the Citabria I missed being able to fly with the door open.

Now for the real differences. Taxiing in the Citabria was much less responsive than in the cub. I never really touched the brakes in the cub as the tailwheel was quite effective, but I had to use differential braking in the Citabria to get it to turn at all. The benefit of the Citabria was sitting in the front seat and actually being able to see what was in front of me without having to do S-turns!

Takeoff in the Citabria was much less exciting than the Cub (a good thing). Whereas the Cub rudder is extremely sensitive and easy to overcontrol for a newbie tailwheel pilot, the Citabria rudder was less responsive. The Citabria also seemed less willing to dart to the side if not perfectly aligned with the runway. The cub wheels on pavement seemed to have a lot more grip and any angle off center had much more effect.

We did a three point and a wheel landing. The three point was made easy by the fact that you can see the runway in front of you which helps give perspective for proper attitude. On my first shot I had the tailwheel touch slightly just before the mains got down. After touchdown, the Citabria seemed to keep rolling for a while and needed brakes to slow her down before the intersecting runway. I never had to use the brakes in the Cub after landing to get her slowed. There was probably a good 10mph difference in touchdown speed, and I wonder if that was the factor. It was a tad weird using brakes after touchdown, as that was discouraged in the cub. This was all done on the verge of being sick as it was after my first aerobatic lesson!

For a slow summer flight, I would pick the Cub hands down. Nothing like flying with the door open seeing everything below, with nothing more than a stick, rudder, and throttle to worry about. I would consider a Citabria for my first plane as it can actually cruise with the bigger engine and the ground manners are a bit more benign.

Happy Flying!

[gbflyer]

Cubs are also easier to resell.

gb

[DavidB.]

What about a Scout?

[PilotRPI]

This was a Citabria Adventure. No flaps, and no gyros.

[Mongo]

The 7GCBC model and scout are the best (flaps)for our type flying. Citabria's are great planes but legally very limited with weight and balance, but I loved my gcbc.

But a cub is a classic and more economical...

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[Zzz]

I always feel cramped in Cubs, and Champs feel much roomier. The Champ I flew had very responsive tailwheel steering without using brakes. But you're right-- that Cub rudder is more powerful. I liked that.

[mr scout]

It must be the holiday season.
I am so proud of so few, for not yet mentioning the M word and ruining a perfect thread.

[hicountry]

I have flown them both..they are two different planes. If you want to go slow, land slow, fly a Cub. If you want to go a little faster, fly a Citabria, if you want to go a little faster fly a 180 hp Ultimate Adventure or a 180hp High Country. The UA has no flaps, the HiCountry does. The landing speed of the Cub is very slow, the landing speed of the HiCountry with flaps comes next, then the UA. I don't find the flaps as effective in the 7GCBC as they were in the 170B that I flew for 10 years, but the rudder control in the ACA's is far better at slow speeds than the 170B. More than once I ran out of rudder in the 170, never has happened in the HiCountry. I'm soon to own a Cub and looking foreward to do the kind of flying that a Cub does...it"s just different than a Citabria....Now a Super Cub is a whole different matter!
The shoulder room and leg room is a Citabria is much better than either the Cub, Super Cub or the 170.
Oh, and by the way, I can take the door off my Hi Country and fly with it (it has an ejectable door while pulling a pin in flight).
HC

[Swingwing]

This was all done on the verge of being sick as it was after my first aerobatic lesson!

Where are you doing aerobatic training in NJ? I'm in PA and would like to find somewhere close to give it a try

[GumpAir]

I am so proud of so few, for not yet mentioning the M word and ruining a perfect thread.

You mean "Buy a Ma, Ma, Ma, Maaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Nope, can't say the word either.

Gump

[Mongo]

I would say a 7 GCBC would be best for a first tail dragger.
Lots of performance and room they go pretty quick land pretty slow, look badass with scout gear and it is not a Mau_ _.

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[Zzz]

Just get a Boeing.

[TomKatz]

[code][/code]

I am so proud of so few, for not yet mentioning the M word and ruining a perfect thread.

You mean "Buy a Ma, Ma, Ma, Maaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Nope, can't say the word either.

It's an "M" thing, those that don't have one won't understand, so why bother.

[Littlecub]

The Champ I once owned was a very sweet flier. Both planes have strong points-It depends on what you want.
20 years ago how easy or hard a plane was to get into and out of was a 'non-factor'. Less so now. Champs/Citabrias have much easier access (IMHO). In the (hopefully distant) future it might be 'littlechamp'.......

lc

[PilotRPI]

Did it out of Somerset. Just be careful, it is a bit pricey for what it is. You might be better off traveling a bit and doing a couple lessons over a weekend. But for just doing it once, I had an amazing time. The rest of my flight training dollars will now go toward ski flying a Cub or bush lessons in the Top Cub at Andover.

[OregonMaule]

[PilotRPI]

^ Whats that red and white plane? Is it any good?



















Yes...I know...

[mr scout]

^ Whats that red and white plane? Is it any good?


Yes...I know...

They must not be, they always travel in pairs or more and seem to have problems flying cuz I keep seeing pictures of them parked in fields.

[Zzz]

Reading comprehension: F+

[GumpAir]

They must not be, they always travel in pairs or more and seem to have problems flying cuz I keep seeing pictures of them parked in fields.

I think a lot of the problem is the pilots who fly the red/white airplanes in those photos, always fly wearing those purple high heel shoes.

Gump