Ercoupe Takeoffs Are Optional

A while back, on a fairly windy and bumpy day, I was working on finishing up my BFR. Jamie, my CFI, wanted me to take him to a tower-controlled field, which was about the only thing we had not yet covered. An Ercoupe is supposed to have a demonstrated crosswind component of 25 knots. Keep in mind that this is with NO RUDDER PEDALS. We were about to put my recently-purchased Ercoupe to the test, although not quite that severe of a test. We got to Martin State (KMTN) and heard the info for Runway 15, winds 22 kts at 240. OK, so that’s “only” an 80 degree crosswind component, not “quite” direct, and three knots less than “book” for my ol’ ‘Coupe.

We reported over the Mall at Whitemarsh Town Center and were given a long straight-in final. We were #2 to land behind an A-10 form the Maryland Air National Guard, which gave me plenty of time to line up for the runway while being perfectly crabbed into the wind. After the A-10 was long gone, I set down on the centerline of the runway while holding that crab all the way to touch-down. I landed with the main gear down first and the little plane straightened itself right out – just as it was supposed to do. Jamie, my CFI, looked at me and said that he had heard about “those” landings, but that was the first time he had seen it (or done it) at that big of an angle. 

Back at Churchville/Aldino, our base airport, I had runway 28 available for the 240 degree “breeze,” so the landing was much less dramatic. Everything worked fine and while it might have been a bumpy ride, I had successfully completed my BFR. It was a good day. 

It was a great experience, especially after not being in the air for 37 years. The aircraft and I both did exactly what “we” were supposed to. Because of that crosswind experience I am now comfortable with winds in that range. It is a confidence booster to do something “by the book” and be able to find out that sometimes the book advice really works. Of course, with the Ercoupe being around for 60+ years, it has had a lot of people write about its characteristics and capabilities (and idiosyncrasies).