Ercoupe Takeoffs Are Optional

We’re going to begin a photo gallery here at Takeoffs Are Optional. There is an intro page in the menu at the top. At least I hope it stays at the top – we’re also about to change the “theme” (appearance) of this site. I want to include more photos and resources.

If you would like to “show off” your Ercoupe – no matter what model – I would certainly like to explore the best way in which to do this – at zero cost to anyone. If interested, please leave a “comment” below.

Every once in a while, no matter where you live, you’ve just got to catch one of those “perfect” times to fly. For me one of those flights was last evening in my Ercoupe. But it surely didn’t seem to start out that way.

I got to the airport about 4:00 in the afternoon and the wind was “howling.” When I opened the hangar doors part way it sounded like a werewolf from a B-grade horror movie had taken up residence. Seriously! I spent about an hour tinkering, cleaning up the cockpit and doing a bit of polishing. Then I fired up and headed to the fueling area. After filling the tanks (took 10.1 of 100LL – lovin’ my ‘Coupe), I ended up talking to another pilot for about 20 minutes. After sumping the tanks (gotta watch that fresh fuel) I climbed aboard Ercoupe 67Hotel for a bit of crosswind practice – but noted that the wind had died down a good bit – the wind sock was no longer standing straight out.

The ol’ Continental fired up within one revolution (good ol’ engine) and we were ready to taxi to a clear area for a thorough run-up. Engine check completed, I headed for, what was currently, the active runway – grass and right into the wind. I took off and upon reaching pattern altitude I decided I need to go for a sight-seeing flight – it was GORGEOUS and it was SMOOTH. CAVU, Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited, Severe Clear – all those good pilot phrases were pulling me toward the Susquehanna River Valley, which is always a picturesque cruise.

The photo above has the Susquehanna River to the left of the ASI. The “river” can also be seen on the navigation screen of the Garmin GPS III Pilot (in the center). The roadway, zig-zagging off into the distance, is Interstate 95 heading esat after crossing the Susquehanna River Bridge. The town of Perryville is just beyond the Ercoupe’s nose (just out of site. The picture quality (iPhone through the windscreen) does not do justice to the beauty of the evening. The air was cool and perfectly smooth.

The flight was a delight but my original mission did not materialize. I had intended to practice crosswind landings. However, when I got back to the airport, after my wonderfully distracting flight, the wind was gone. I did shoot three landings in a very gentle breeze but by the time I finished the windsock was hanging straithg down like a wet dishrag. I am NOT complaining, however, because the change in mission resulted in an absolutely wonderful evening of flying. I logged an hour and a half in the Ercoupe (and likely burned seven of eight gallons). WooHoo!

Here is a gathering of Ercoupe information, repair and maintenance links. This writer needs to make the “disclaimer” that he is not a mechanic and is providing these links as a convenience only. Should you find reference to anything that prompts you to make changes to, or perform maintenance on, your airplane, please realize it is your responsibility to consult “proper and legal” sources of information before you do so.

Ercoupe Owners Club: www.ercoupe.org – A club, in the sense of minimal dues in exchange for a wealth of information about all things Ercoupe. The website, while a bit “clunky” has resources for the casual reader and invaluable information behind the member door. Much of the information contained in archives of monthly newsletters is impossible to find elsewhere. IMHO, EVERY Ercoupe member should be a member.

Ercoupe Tech: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ercoupe-tech/messages – Yeah, one of those original Yahoo Groups setups – but it contains an abundance of information gathered and archived through the discourse of many knowledgeable Ercoupe owners and flyers. A Yahoo login is required but is “no big deal.” A word of caution however, If you find information in which you are interested be sure to copy it to your computer. If (when?) Yahoo pulls the plug* on their “Groups service” all may be lost. (*Many people say that can’t happen. However, Yahoo recently pulled the plug on a revenue stream, their Yahoo Publisher Network, YPN, for web publishers. America Online pulled the plug on a lot of free services; Homestead and GeoCities have also done the same. Beware of depending on “free” Internet services.)

Ercoupers Repair Pages: www.Ercoupe.info - a collection of a variety of restoration projects have been documented – often with detailed instructions and photographs.

Ed Burkhead’s Personal Coupe Pages: www.edburkhead.com/Ercoupe - Ed Burkhead’s Personal Coupe Pages contain information he has chosen to publish in support of all those who fly various models of ?Ercoupes, Aircoupes and Mooney M-10s. Bravo to Ed for this comprehensive collection of information.

Used Ercoupe Parts: www.UsedErcoupeParts.com – At Precision Services, Inc., Vernon Gregory has set up a new site for Ercoupe parts. With several dozen ‘Coupes and many years experience in the “Ercoupe Parts” business, Vernon just may be responsible for keeping more ‘Coupes flying than any other individual.

More coming soon…