Piston Aircraft Loans

American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon financing, specs & price

Aerobatic, inverted systems, tailwheel. Built 1972-present; Lycoming AEIO-360 (180 hp); 2 seats; 124-knot cruise.

Piston single Typical price $45,000–$130,000 ~$65/hr fuel

What a 8KCAB Decathlon costs to finance

Payment examples at three price points, using typical lender guidelines for single-engine aircraft and a 7.75% illustrative APR. Your rate depends on credit, loan size, term and the specific airplane.

Example Price Down Loan Term Payment @ 7.75% Range @ 6.99–9.99%
Older / higher-time $45,000 15% ($6,750) $38,250 15 yrs $360/mo $344–$411
Mid-market (most common) $75,000 15% ($11,250) $63,750 15 yrs $600/mo $573–$685
Late / low-time $130,000 15% ($19,500) $110,500 20 yrs $907/mo $856–$1,066

Principal and interest only; excludes insurance, taxes and fees. Prices are typical asking ranges from our aircraft database — verify any specific airplane with Vref or Aircraft Bluebook and a pre-buy inspection. Not a quote or commitment to lend.

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8KCAB Decathlon specifications & operating economics

Performance & capacity

Engine
Lycoming AEIO-360 (180 hp)
Production
1972-present
Seats
2
Cruise
124 kts
Range
530 NM
Fuel capacity
40 gal

Fuel economics (September 2026)

Fuel burn
9 gph
Fuel cost per hour
$65
Fuel cost per nautical mile
$0.53
Endurance (no reserve)
4.4 hrs
Fuel for 100 hrs/yr
$6,516

100LL at $7.24/gal (AirNav national average, September 2026).

What lenders and underwriters look at on a 8KCAB Decathlon

  • Aerobatic usage = thorough inspection for hard G loads
  • AEIO-360 inverted oil system
  • Fabric covering—check condition
  • Tailwheel insurance required

Pre-buy inspection focus areas

  • Fabric condition
  • Fuselage tube stress cracks
  • Wing spar condition
  • Inverted fuel/oil systems
  • Engine mount

Pre-buy inspections are typically paid out of pocket, not financed. See the pre-buy checklist.

American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon financing FAQs

How much does a American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon cost?

Typical asking prices for a American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon run from about $45,000 for older or higher-time examples to $130,000 for late, low-time ones, with most trading near $75,000. Engine time, avionics, damage history and paint/interior drive the spread — confirm with a Vref or Aircraft Bluebook valuation and a pre-buy inspection.

What is the monthly payment on a American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon?

At a $75,000 purchase price with 15% down ($11,250), a $63,750 loan over 15 years is about $600 per month at 7.75% APR, or roughly $573–$685 across the 6.99%–9.99% range lenders published as of September 2026. Principal and interest only.

How much down payment do I need for a American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon?

Plan on at least 15% down for a single-engine aircraft built after 1960. Twenty-year terms are generally available on loans of $75,000 or more.

What does a American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon cost to fly per hour in fuel?

At about 9 gallons per hour and the September 2026 national average of $7.24 per gallon for 100LL, fuel alone is roughly $65 per hour, or about $0.53 per nautical mile at a 124-knot cruise. Add reserves, insurance, storage and the annual for the full picture.

Can I finance an older American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon?

Usually, yes. Lenders finance piston singles without a fixed age limit, though pre-1960 aircraft may need a larger down payment and shorter term, and airframes over 10,000 hours are often excluded. Complete logbooks, AD compliance and a clean pre-buy matter more than the year on an older 8KCAB Decathlon.

More American Champion aircraft

All American Champion models →

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Financing a 8KCAB Decathlon? Get real options.

Tell us about the airplane and your timeline. A financing specialist at Jaken Aviation shops your request across banks, credit unions and aviation lenders and comes back with real options.

  • Pre-qualification in 1–3 business days; closing typically 2–4 weeks
  • Purchase, refinance, cash-out, overhaul and avionics financing
  • Single- and twin-engine pistons, experimentals, and turbine step-ups
  • No cost to request options, and no credit check to submit this form

  1. 1. Apply & consult

    Tell us the aircraft, the price and your timeline. A specialist reviews your goals with you.

  2. 2. Get matched

    Your request goes out to a national network of banks, credit unions and specialty aviation lenders.

  3. 3. Underwriting

    Your file is packaged and submitted to the best-fit lender, typically 1–2 weeks once there is a purchase agreement.

  4. 4. Approval & closing

    We coordinate lender, escrow and seller through closing — usually 2–4 weeks from application.

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