American Champion owners have done for the Super Decathlon tailwheel airplane what they did for the Scout—they supersized it. Meet the 210-horsepower Xtreme Decathlon, listed at a base price of $204,900.
Like the Denali Scout, the Xtreme Decathlon uses the Lycoming AEIO-390-A1B6 engine and also has a 76-inch MT prop. While the horsepower increased from the previous 180 hp, the weight decreased by 62 pounds—good news for any aerobatic airplane trying to be nimble. Clipped wing tips, boosted ailerons, and an airfoil tail contribute to a 33-percent increase in roll rate, another important measure of performance for aerobatic aircraft.
The new wingspan is 31 feet. It has a gross weight of 1,950 pounds, but must be flown aerobatically at no more than 1,800 pounds. The empty weight is 1,340 pounds, and it carries 40 gallons of fuel. It can take positive 6Gs and negative 5Gs. Its cruise speed is 133 knots at 75 percent power, and it can go 450 nautical miles at that speed, presumably rolling all the way. There are still performance numbers to be determined, since the aircraft has not completed testing. The first Xtreme has been sold to a customer in Australia.
Alton K. Marsh
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