ACA Citabria Explorer 7ECA, Flight Operations Manual

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Citabria 6-6
ENGINE
The Citabria is powered by a carburetted Lycoming four cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct
drive engine. The all metal, fixed pitch propeller is designed to give good take-off and cruise
performance.
The wet sump oil system is conventional with the pressure and temperature automatically.
controlled by an internal engine driven gear pump and external oil cooler. (7ECA has no cooler).
Oil temperature and pressure gauges are the direct reading type requiring no electric power. Oil
quantity is determined by a dip stick with access through the inspection door on the right side of
the engine cowl.
Ignition is provided by two engine magnetos which are independent of the aircraft electrical
system and each other. Separate magneto switches are located on the electrical panel mounted
on the upper left side of the cabin between the two seats.
Starting is accomplished by an electric geared cranking motor using the aircraft battery. The
starter button is located in the lower centre of the instrument panel.
Dual throttle controls are located on the left side of the cabin for both the front and rear struts.
The red (push-pull) mixture control is located on the left side of the instrument panel and is used
for fuel leaning and engine shutdown. Idle cut-off is accomplished by pulling the control full out.
The air induction system is equipped with a large heavy duty air filter mounted in front of the
engine cowl. Carburettor heat is available from the exhaust manifold if carburettor icing exists.
The carburettor heat control is located below the throttles. Maximum heat is applied with the
control in the aft position. The aft position also by-passes the air filter should it become
obstructed with ice or dirt.
NOTE
With the carburettor heat in the HOT position, the induction
air to the engine is unfiltered. To prevent
damage to the engine, it should not be used during
ground operations except for an operational check
of system prior to flight.
Engine RPM is indicated by a mechanical tachometer using a flexible drive cable. An hour
meter, based on cruise RPM, is incorporated in the tachometer. The electrical hour meter
(Hobbs meter) indicates the actual running time of the engine and is activated by engine oil
pressure.
FLIGHT CONTROLS
Dual controls are provided for the ailerons, elevator and rudder. The balanced control surfaces
re conventional in design and are mechanically connected to a control stick and rudder pedals
using cables and/or push-pull rods. Low friction bearings are used extensively throughout the
system to reduce control pressures.