No Ercoupe for Aaron
Lately I've been thinking about buying an airplane again. I do this every now and and again. I looked at all the cool airplanes at Aircraft Shopper Online and play with numbers in Excel and think about partnerships and eventually I finally realize for the umpteenth time that airplanes are very expensive... I have a plan though, as soon as they get that lottery started up here in Tennessee I'll be all set. But yesterday I got a complimentary copy of Trade-A-Plane in the mail (fate perhaps? hmm?). On the front was a picture of an old Ercoupe (pronounce Aircoupe). These are cool little airplanes with a sliding canopy, twin vertical stabilizers and no rudder pedals! Supposedly stall-proof. Anyway I showed the picture to my 3 year Aaron. "Look Aaron an Ercoupe!", I said. Aaron wrinkled up his nose, "Air-poop! Ew!".
Oh that reminds me, Happy Birthday Bill. You'll always be 17 days older than me ;)
Comments
Hmmmm i dont know cousin..........If Aaron wrinkled and said "Airpoop" maybe that is a omen and you should not be buying a plane like that. Are they good planes? Do they have a good safety record?? Will you be able to get to Cleveland to pick me up??? Just be careful whatever you do. Talk to ya later buddy.
Dale
Posted by: Dale | November 12, 2003 5:24 AM
As the owner of an Ercoupe, after 1,500 landings, and a couple of thousand hours in the air with it, I would suggest that your pooh poohing buddy has 1: Never flown or owned one.
2. Can't give you any factual background on why it is so awful.
3. Has no pilot rating.
They are NOT fast, but mine has been a delight..Gone from Arkansas to Virgin Islands, Mexico, Canada, Rockies, Washington DC and about 25 of the eastern and midwestern states...getting 3.8 mpg on auto gas @95mph.
As for "supposedly" doesn't stall; It is not CAPABLE of stalling If you pull the yoke all the way back, no throttle, it will nose up, lose speed down to about 55mph, and proceed to descend at about 1,200 feet a minute. To resume normal flight, simply release the yoke..the nose will drop, speed will rise and you continue on your way.
Yoke all the way back, full throttle= nose will remain at a higher attitude till airspeed declines and you will descend at about 500 fpm.
In either condition, you can control flight normally (No "recovery") and unless there are obstructions (trees-telephone poles-cows) you could descend NO power, full back yoke all the way to the ground, where you would contact earth at about 55mph forward velocity, and 15mph vertical velocity, or about like dropping from 10 feet. pretty healthy bump, but unlikely to damage the plane or its occupants.
Ercoupes can take off or land in a 35 mph direct crosswind without rudders, something which will severly strain a Cessna, Piper, Bonanza or Flyer.
AND...you get to fly with the canopy open, 360 degree visability, side by side with your honey.
dp
Posted by: dp | January 20, 2004 3:41 AM
You didn't read the story closely... that was my 3 year old. He thought I said Airpoop. And no he doesn't have his pilot's certificate yet. :)
Posted by: Casey | January 20, 2004 8:39 AM