Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Aircraft and simulator background
The Super Decathlon's primary controls use cables. Its elevator has aerodynamic balance, while a cable-operated trim tab on the left elevator provides pitch trim. The fixed tailwheel is steerable.
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
American Champion Aircraft, hosted by Thrust Institute · Read more ↗Mechanical controls and trim
American Champion's SM-601 revision B describes cable-operated primary controls and an aerodynamically balanced elevator. Pitch trim acts through a cable-operated tab on the left elevator. The steerable tailwheel remains part of the fixed landing-gear arrangement.
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
American Champion Aircraft, hosted by Thrust Institute · Read more ↗The represented propulsion and panel
The developer's 1.0.0 manual identifies AEIO-360-H1A/H1B engines and a constant-speed propeller. It describes an elevator-trim tab and presents operating limits in mph; it does not list wing-flap operating controls.
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
Hangar Studios 713 manual hosted by MSFS preset reference · Read more ↗Avionics update record
The August 2026 developer post records autopilot Heading, NAV and GPS fixes and G3X compatibility changes. It uses both 1.6.0 and 1.0.6 labels, leaving a version-label discrepancy within that account.
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
Hangar Studios 713 · Read more ↗Meet American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
The Super Decathlon's primary controls use cables. Its elevator has aerodynamic balance, while a cable-operated trim tab on the left elevator provides pitch trim. The fixed tailwheel is steerable.
Hangar Studios 713 represents AEIO-360 power with a constant-speed propeller and conventional or glass panels. The developer lists Xtreme as a livery, so that name alone does not identify a separate 210 hp engine installation.
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
American Champion → · Explore the family →
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
American Champion Aircraft, hosted by Thrust Institute · 8KCAB service manual SM601 revisionB ↗Aircraft type designators
No type designator selected for this reference.
History & design
Continuing the Model 8 lineage
American Champion resumed the Model 7 and Model 8 family after acquiring their type certificates in 1988. Its modern production introduced metal-spar wings while retaining the tandem-seat taildragger layout.
American Champion Aircraft · American Champion company history ↗Company history and production development
Two modern aerobatic variants
The manufacturer distinguishes the 180 hp Super Decathlon from the 210 hp Xtreme Decathlon. Both include inverted-flight equipment, but power and empty-weight differences make them distinct entries within the aerobatic family.
American Champion Aircraft · Decathlon series ↗Current product family; not an original-production specification
Systems & details
Mechanical controls and trim
American Champion's SM-601 revision B describes cable-operated primary controls and an aerodynamically balanced elevator. Pitch trim acts through a cable-operated tab on the left elevator. The steerable tailwheel remains part of the fixed landing-gear arrangement.
The represented propulsion and panel
The developer's 1.0.0 manual identifies AEIO-360-H1A/H1B engines and a constant-speed propeller. It describes an elevator-trim tab and presents operating limits in mph; it does not list wing-flap operating controls.
Avionics update record
The August 2026 developer post records autopilot Heading, NAV and GPS fixes and G3X compatibility changes. It uses both 1.6.0 and 1.0.6 labels, leaving a version-label discrepancy within that account.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024Hangar Studios 713 Super Decathlon 8KCAB
Hangar Studios 713 · Released
Hangar Studios 713 Super Decathlon 8KCAB
Hangar Studios 713 · Released
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Developer documentation
Developer current changes and release statusAmerican Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
Developer B4Gunner August2026 Super Decathlon updates
Hangar Studios 713 · Read the source ↗American Champion (8KCAB) Super DecathlonAmerican Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
Current product aircraft and version footer
Hangar Studios 713 · Read the source ↗Developer manual
Super Decathlon developer POH, verify author/editionAmerican Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
Developer1.0.0 manual PDF6/10-14, visually reviewed
Hangar Studios 713 manual hosted by MSFS preset reference · Read the source ↗8KCAB service manual SM601 revisionBAmerican Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
American Champion SM601revB PDF10 / printed2-2
American Champion Aircraft, hosted by Thrust Institute · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Developer documentation
Developer current changes and release statusHangar Studios 713 · Developer B4Gunner August2026 Super Decathlon updates American Champion (8KCAB) Super DecathlonHangar Studios 713 · Current product aircraft and version footerDeveloper manual
Super Decathlon developer POH, verify author/editionHangar Studios 713 manual hosted by MSFS preset reference · Developer1.0.0 manual PDF6/10-14, visually reviewed 8KCAB service manual SM601 revisionBAmerican Champion Aircraft, hosted by Thrust Institute · American Champion SM601revB PDF10 / printed2-2Aircraft history
American Champion company historyAmerican Champion Aircraft · Manufacturer company history; Model 8 design lineage Decathlon seriesAmerican Champion Aircraft · Current Super and Xtreme Decathlon variantsBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 2 profile choices
Hangar Studios 713 Super Decathlon 8KCAB
Hangar Studios 713 · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
An aerobatic tailwheel aircraft with cable-operated controls and a constant-speed propeller.
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
An aerobatic tailwheel aircraft with cable-operated controls and a constant-speed propeller.
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon
An aerobatic tailwheel aircraft with cable-operated controls and a constant-speed propeller.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon · MSFS 2020 · Variant starting point
- American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon · MSFS 2024 · Variant starting point
- American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon · X-Plane 12 · Variant starting point
Universal named airframe/configuration; intended MSFS2020/MSFS2024/XP12 starting point, not add-on or edition acceptance. · Physical facts and prior documentary review are reused from their archived dated sources; new market availability is not inferred.
The simulator model and controls
An aerobatic tailwheel aircraft with cable-operated controls and a constant-speed propeller.
How this profile feels
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Aircraft and configuration
Fixed tailwheel gear, no flaps, 180 hp AEIO-360 engine and constant-speed propeller.
Mechanical controls and trim
American Champion's SM-601 revision B describes cable-operated primary controls and an aerodynamically balanced elevator. Pitch trim acts through a cable-operated tab on the left elevator. The steerable tailwheel remains part of the fixed landing-gear arrangement.
The represented propulsion and panel
The developer's 1.0.0 manual identifies AEIO-360-H1A/H1B engines and a constant-speed propeller. It describes an elevator-trim tab and presents operating limits in mph; it does not list wing-flap operating controls.
About the values
Strengths are normalized hardware-feel settings. They set the effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its limits. The IAS reference is a tuning value.
What the documentation establishes
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon: Fixed tailwheel gear, no flaps, 180 hp AEIO-360 engine and constant-speed propeller.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
ReviewedAn aerobatic tailwheel aircraft with cable-operated controls and a constant-speed propeller.
Flight controls
InheritedAn aerobatic tailwheel aircraft with cable-operated controls and a constant-speed propeller.
Trim
InheritedPitch trim: Left-elevator trim tab. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
ReviewedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
InheritedFixed tailwheel gear, no flaps, 180 hp AEIO-360 engine and constant-speed propeller.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
ReviewedThe profile targets msfs2020, msfs2024, xplane12. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
InheritedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyPrimary controls: Cable-operated. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 50 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 115 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 115 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value115 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value50 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
All 45 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyPrimary controls: Cable-operated. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 50 KIAS. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 115 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon: Mechanical elevator trim tab, pitch-only relief; no powered primary controls. Estimated pitch/roll trim authorities 0.3/0; exact add-on sign, travel, units and build-specific neutral remain unqualified. Rudder trim never substitutes for roll trim.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyPitch trim: Left-elevator trim tab. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon: 115 KIAS is the retained estimated tuning reference. It is not published cruise TAS, VNE, a new flight limit or a measured force threshold. Source-specific operating quantities remain attached to their original configuration and conditions.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value115 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
Smoke-system commands do not supply calibrated control-force events.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 115 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
Exact configured values with software explanations. Force magnitudes remain editable estimates; disabled features retain inactive values.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value8 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value50 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.15 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 50 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.35 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon is a universal starting point; exact add-on matching, edition operation and physical hand-force calibration remain unqualified.
- Autopilot movement and unknown custom trim, failure or force-input signals are disabled. Confirm the selected equipment fit and trim direction for the implementation in use.
- Force magnitudes and speed tuning are editable inherited estimates. Owner physical and installed-aircraft acceptance remain pending.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
Discuss this aircraft (0)
Questions, observations and useful sources from the community.
No published discussions yet. Bring a question or share a useful source.
Open aircraft discussions →Content expanded · What’s new
Something missing or a source that needs attention?
Suggest a correction ↗
