Airplanes exist for all kinds of reasons. Getting from A to B, hauling from A to B and flying from A to blow up B. But the planes that seem to enamor pilots most are the ones that exist simply so we can revel in the miracle of flight. The Super Decathlon is just such a plane and that's why it's such a perfect choice for ParkZone's next park flyer subject.

Introduced in 1977, the Super Decathlon can trace its roots all the way back to the venerable Aeronca Champ. To anyone who knows the Champ, this lineage is fairly apparent when viewing the planes side by side, but that's where the similarities end. Unlike its 80hp forebear, the Super Decathlon boasts 180hp, a constant speed prop, semi-symmetrical airfoil and is stressed to withstand as much as 6-positive and 5-negative Gs. Its combination of light wing loading and ample horsepower also allow it to achieve stimulating climb rates in the 1,200 and 1,300 feet per minute range.

But while it's wild enough to take pilots to the edge, the Super Decathlon is still tame enough to forgive when they lack finesse. It's also one of the easiest tail draggers to take-off and land. For these and so many other reasons, it's little wonder that thousands of pilots the world over have a soft spot for the Super Decathlon.