Bellanca Aircraft
12 used Bellanca aircraft listings · $55,000–$160,000 · last refreshed 39 min ago
About Bellanca Aircraft Company
Bellanca Aircraft Corporation has a rich history dating back to Giuseppe Bellanca's pioneering designs in the 1920s. The company is best known for the Bellanca Citabria, Decathlon, and Super Decathlon aerobatic trainers, as well as the Bellanca Viking (Model 17-30/17-31) — a high-performance, retractable-gear single that was once the fastest production piston single on the market. The Viking series, with its distinctive triple tail and wooden wing construction, cruises at 170-195 knots depending on variant.
Pre-owned Bellanca Vikings range from $50,000 to $150,000, offering exceptional speed per dollar but requiring careful inspection of the wooden wing spar and fabric covering. The Citabria and Decathlon series (now produced by American Champion) are the most popular tailwheel and aerobatic trainers in the United States, with pre-owned prices from $25,000 to $100,000. Buyers should pay particular attention to AD 90-10-10 (wing spar inspection on Citabria/Decathlon) and verify the wood structure has been properly maintained and kept free of moisture damage.
Bellanca Aircraft for Sale
Price $55,000–$160,000
Bellanca Aircraft Price & Cost
How much does a Bellanca aircraft cost? Current pricing for used Bellanca aircraft (also known as Bellanca choppers or Bellanca helis) is broken down per model in the table below — covering acquisition price, hourly operating cost and overhaul cost.
| Type | Model | Used price range | Op cost / hr | Annual fixed | Overhaul cost | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Engine Piston | $55,000–$160,000 | $150 | $18,000/yr | $32,000 | 12 |
The cost of a Bellanca aircraft depends on model, year, hours flown, avionics and condition. See operating costs and pre-buy checklist in the About section, or open a specific model page for a detailed price guide.
Bellanca Models
Single Engine Piston
Bellanca Models — Specifications
Model specFrequently Asked Questions — Bellanca
What are common Bellanca Viking problems?
The biggest concern is the wooden wing spar — an AD requires annual inspections for moisture and decay. Bellanca Vikings must be hangared; leaving them outside accelerates wood deterioration. Fuel management is the other major issue: with multiple tanks, pilots have run a selected tank dry while other tanks still had fuel, accounting for the majority of fuel-related accidents. Also watch for buried antenna communication issues on some models. Despite these quirks, a well-maintained Viking is one of the fastest 200-300 hp singles you can buy.
How fast is a Bellanca Super Viking?
The Bellanca 17-30A Super Viking cruises at 160-170 knots on 300 hp — faster than a Mooney 201 or Cessna 210 in the same power class. The unique wood-and-fabric construction with a metal airframe keeps weight low and drag minimal. The 17-31ATC Turbo Super Viking adds turbocharging for high-altitude performance. On AeroGurus, we track 33 active Bellanca listings with prices ranging from 8,000 for older Citabrias to 60,000 for clean Super Vikings, averaging about 7,000.
Is a Bellanca Viking a good buy?
For speed per dollar, Bellanca Vikings are exceptional — you get retractable-gear performance at fixed-gear prices because many buyers are scared off by the wood-wing maintenance reputation. In reality, if the wing has been properly inspected and hangared, it is structurally sound for decades. Parts availability is good through the Bellanca-Champion Club and aftermarket suppliers. The tradeoff: insurance can be higher due to the retractable gear and tailwheel (on some models), and you absolutely must keep it in a hangar.
Bellanca Inventory by Country
| United States | 29 |
| Canada | 1 |
Recently Sold Bellanca
| 1950 Cruisemaster 14 19 | $66,690 |