Ercoupe Takeoffs Are Optional

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!