Designed for flight training, utility, and personal use, it is capable of sustaining aerobatic stresses from +5g to -2g. Its name spelled backward, “airbatic”, reflects this.

When the Citabria was introduced, it was the only airplane being commercially produced in the United States which was certified for aerobatics. Citabria was also popular as trainers; because of their conventional gear and their aerobatic capabilities; and as personal aircraft. They were also found in utility roles such as bush flying thanks to their short take-off and landing ability, agriculture, pipeline patrol, and as glider tow planes. Though variants of the design and other better-suited designs have largely taken over Citabria’s utility roles, Citabrias remain popular as trainers, glider tow planes, and for personal use.

General characteristics:

– Crew: one,

– Capacity: one passenger,

– Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320-A2B four-cylinder, four-stroke, horizontally opposed aircraft engine, 150hp (110 kW),

– Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch.

Performance: 

– Maximum speed: 209km/h, Cruise speed: 202km/h,

– Range: 761km,

– Service ceiling: 5,200m,

– Rate of climb: 5.7m/s

Throughout its history, there were two Citabria models 7GCBC Explorer that were used in our air club. They were used mostly for towing gliders. At the moment Air Club Skopje possesses one Citabria, which is in use since 1972.