# AD 77-22-05: Operating Limitations - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Current - Products: American Champion 7ECA, 7GC, 7GCA, 7GCAA, 7GCB, 7GCBC, 7HC and 7KCAB - Effective: November 7, 1977 - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane - Amendment: 39-3069 - Registered aircraft: 2,520 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/8AF0899D1EEE485B86256A3400591C2A.0001 - DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/77-22-05 ## The airworthiness directive 77-22-05 BELLANCA (CHAMPION): Amendment 39-3069. Applies to models 7ECA S/Nos. 1 thru 722, 725, 723-70 thru 1238-78 7GC S/Nos. All 7GCA S/Nos. All 7GCAA S/Nos. 1 thru 198, 200 thru 204, 276, 205-70 thru 355- 78 7GCB S/Nos. All 7GCBC S/Nos. 1 thru 201, 205, 207, 202-70 thru 1024-78 7HC S/Nos. All 7KCAB S/Nos. 1 thru 208, 210 thru 226, 270, 271, 209-70 thru 617-77 Certificated in all categories. Compliance is required as indicated unless already accomplished. Part I Airspeed Restriction/Front Strut Replacement a. Effective immediately, unless already accomplished, attach the following operating limitation placard near the airspeed indicator in full view of the pilot: "DO NOT EXCEED 153 MPH CAS MAXIMUM OPERATING SPEED" The letters on this placard must be at least 1/8 inch in height and on suitable material which can be expected to remain affixed in position and resist deterioration. This placard may be installed by the pilot.b. Within three (3) months after the effective date of this airworthiness directive, accomplish either: 1. Remove red radial marking on airspeed indicator at 162 MPH (141 KTS). Remark indicator with red radial line at 153 MPH (133 KTS). Change Operations Limitations Card as follows: Replace Airspeed Limitations "GLIDE or DIVE-----162 MPH CAS" with "MAXIMUM OPERATING SPEED----153 MPH CAS". Bellanca Service Kit 256 may be used to accomplish this. (Bellanca Service Letter C-127 pertains to this subject.) After marking indicator, the placard required per paragraph (a) above may be removed, or 2. Remove wing front lift struts Bellanca P/N 5-144 and install replacement wing front lift struts Bellanca P/N 5-392 (Bellanca Service Letter C-127 and Service Kit 257 pertain to this subject). After the struts are replaced, the placard per paragraph (a) above may be removed and the airspeed markings and Operations Limitations Card per paragraph (b.1) above may be returned to theiroriginal 162 MPH CAS markings. NOTE: The Bellanca P/N 5-392 strut may be identified by a square tube fitting at the wing end. Part II Acrobatic Maneuvers Placard/Accelerometer Markings/Operating Limitations Card Change. Applies to All Bellanca (Champion) Acrobatic Models As Indicated. (Bellanca Service Letter C-128 pertains to this subject.) a. Effective immediately, flight operations shall be conducted in accordance with the limitations specified below. b. Within three (3) months after the effective date of this airworthiness directive unless already accomplished, replace the acrobatic maneuvers placard and remark the accelerometer if applicable as indicated below. 1. For Model 7ECA - S/Nos. 1 thru 722, 725, 723-70 thru 1238-78 7GCAA - S/Nos. 1 thru 198, 200 thru 204, 276, 205-70 thru 355-78 Install Bellanca placard (Bellanca Service Kit 258) or facsimile on suitable material which can be expected to remain affixed in position and resist deterioration as shown below. LANDPLANE APPROVED FOR ONLY FOLLOWING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS MANEUVER ENTRY SPEED IAS MPH KNOTS CHANDELLE, LAZY EIGHT 120 104 BARREL OR SLOW ROLL 120 104 IMMELMANN 145 126 LOOP OR CLOVER LEAF 140 122 SPLITS 80 70 SNAP ROLL 85 74 HAMMERHEAD TURN 140 122 CUBAN EIGHT 145 126 SPIN SLOW DECELERATION DO NOT EXCEED +5.0 OR -2.0 G LOAD FACTOR. DO NOT EXCEED 135 MPH IAS DURING NEGATIVE G CONDITIONS. DO NOT PERFORM ACROBATICS IN TURBULENT AIR. CAUTION: NEGATIVE G FLIGHT WILL CAUSE LOSS OF OIL AND OIL PRESSURE. TO RECOVER FROM SPIN USE FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER AND NEUTRALIZE ELEVATOR. 2. For Model 7GCBC - S/NOS. 1 THRU 201, 205, 207, 202-70 thru 1024- 78 7GCB - Aircraft approved in acrobatic category only Install Bellanca placard (Bellanca Service Kit 259) or facsimile on suitable material which can be expected to remain affixed in position and resist deterioration as shown below. LANDPLANE APPROVED FOR ONLY FOLLOWING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS MANEUVER ENTRY SPEED IAS MPH KNOTS CHANDELLE, LAZY EIGHT 120 104 BARREL OR SLOW ROLL 120 104 IMMELMANN 145 126 LOOP OR CLOVER LEAF 140 122 SPLITS 80 70 SNAP ROLL 85 74 HAMMERHEAD TURN 140 122 CUBAN EIGHT 145 126 SPIN SLOW DECELERATION DO NOT EXCEED +5.0 OR -2.0 G LOAD FACTOR. DO NOT EXCEED 135 MPH IAS DURING NEGATIVE G CONDITION. DO NOT PERFORM ACROBATICS IN TURBULENT AIR. CAUTION: NEGATIVE G FLIGHT WILL CAUSE LOSS OF OIL AND OIL PRESSURE. USE OF FLAPS DURING ACROBATICS PROHIBITED. TO RECOVER FROM SPIN USE FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER AND NEUTRALIZE ELEVATOR. 3. For Model 7KCAB - S/Nos. 1 thru 208, 210 thru 226, 270, 271, 209-70 thru 404-73, 405-74 thru 458-74, 460-74 thru 508-75 Install Bellanca placard (Bellanca Service Kit 260) or facsimile on suitable material which can be expected to remain affixed in position and resist deterioration as shown below: LANDPLANE APPROVED FOR ONLY FOLLOWING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS MANEUVER ENTRY SPEED IAS MPH KNOTS CHANDELLE, LAZY EIGHT 120 104 BARREL OR SLOW ROLL 120 104 IMMELMANN 145 126 LOOP OR CLOVER LEAF 140 122 SPLITS 80 70 SNAP ROLL 85 74 HAMMERHEAD TURN 140 122 CUBAN EIGHT 145 126 SPIN SLOW DECELERATION LEVEL INVERTED FLIGHT 120 104 135 MPH (117 KTS) IAS MAX DO NOT EXCEED +5.0 or -2.0 G LOAD FACTOR. DO NOT EXCEED 135 MPH IAS DURING NEGATIVE G CONDITION. DO NOT PERFORM ACROBATICS IN TURBULENT AIR. INVERTED FLIGHT LIMITED TO 2 MIN - MONITOR OIL PRESS WHILE INVERTED TO INSURE MINIMUM OF 60 PSI. TO RECOVER FROM SPIN USE FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER AND NEUTRALIZE ELEVATOR. 4. For Model 7KCAB - S/Nos. 459-74, 509-75 thru 617-77 Install Bellanca placard (Bellanca Service Kit 261) or facsimile on suitable material which can be expected to remain affixed in position and resist deterioration as shown below LANDPLANE APPROVED FOR ONLY FOLLOWING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS MANEUVER ENTRY SPEED IAS MPH KNOTS CHANDELLE, LAZY EIGHT 120 104 BARREL OR SLOW ROLL 120 104 IMMELMANN 145 126 LOOP OR CLOVER LEAF 140 122 SPLITS 80 70 SNAP ROLL 85 74 HAMMERHEAD TURN 140 122 CUBAN EIGHT 145 126 SPIN SLOW DECELERATION LEVEL INVERTED FLIGHT 120 104 135 MPH (117 KTS) IAS MAX DO NOT EXCEED +5.0 OR -2.0 G FACTOR. DO NOT EXCEED 135 MPH IAS DURING NEGATIVE G CONDITION. DO NOT PERFORM ACROBATICS IN TURBULENT AIR. 2 MIN OF INVERTED FUEL NORMALLY AVAILABLE. MOMENTARY OIL PRESSURE INTERRUPTIONS ARE NORMAL. TO RECOVER FROM SPIN USE FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER AND NEUTRALIZE ELEVATOR. 5. If aircraft is equipped with accelerometer, verify that the red radial marks are installed at +5.0 G and -2.0 G. If markings are incorrect, remark indicator. c. Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this airworthiness directive, unless already accomplished, attach the following placard near the airspeed indicator in full view of the pilot. The placard will be a facsimile of the following on suitable material which can be expected to remain affixed in position and resist deterioration as shown below: "DO NOT EXCEED 135 MPH IAS DURING NEGATIVE G CONDITION" This placard is available as a part of the Service Kits described in parts (1) through (4) above. d. For Model 7KCAB, within three (3) months after the effective date of this airworthiness directive, verify that the Operating Limitations Card presents the following information. If markings are incorrect, remark Operating Limitations Card. Replacement Operating Limitations Cards are available in Bellanca Service Kit 262. Maneuvering Flight Limit Load Factors Positive ------------------ 5.0 g Negative ---------------- 2.0 g DO NOT EXCEED 135 MPH IAS DURING NEGATIVE G CONDITION. This amendment becomes effective November 7, 1977. ## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS A-759](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-759): American Champion Aircraft Corp.; names 8 of 22 models: 7GCA, 7KCAB, 7GC, 7GCAA, 7HC, 7GCBC, 7ECA, 7GCB ## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs) Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - Aircraft: 2,520 (2,520 by airframe model, 0 by engine model) - Makers: Bellanca 1,182, Champion 945, American Champion 389, Aeronca 4 Models with the most aircraft: - [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc): 487 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca): 419 aircraft (airframe model) - [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca): 347 aircraft (airframe model) - [American Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcbc): 232 aircraft (airframe model) - [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab): 230 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab): 151 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc): 144 aircraft (airframe model) - [American Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcaa): 119 aircraft (airframe model) - [Bellanca 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcaa): 118 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa): 114 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcb): 55 aircraft (airframe model) - [American Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7eca): 38 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion 7GC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gc): 37 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion 7HC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7hc): 8 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion AERONCA 7GC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7gc): 7 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion AERONCA 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7gcb): 3 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion AERONCA 7HC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7hc): 3 aircraft (airframe model) - [Aeronca 7GC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7gc): 2 aircraft (airframe model) - [Champion 7GCA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gca): 2 aircraft (airframe model) - [Aeronca 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7gcb): 1 aircraft (airframe model) All 23 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/77-22-05/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/77-22-05/aircraft.md Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.