Ercoupe Takeoffs Are Optional – Flying an LSA Ercoupe 415-C

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 owner or aficionado 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.

Dave’s Ercoupe.com: www.Ercoupe.com – is an accumulation of photos and stories gathered during 20 years of Ercoupe ownership. There is a fine display of ‘Coupe memorabilia – in the form of illustrations and photos of old/original advertisements.

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…

Making a dream come true, on Friday, April 30, 2010, two Swiss pilots set off on an incredible adventure. To celebrate 100 years of aviation in Switzerland they embarked on an around-the-world odyssey in two Flight Design CTLS Light Sport Aircraft. I plan to follow their flight on their website: http://www.azimut270.ch/en/

I wish them “Bon Voyage” and the best of luck.

There are a gazillion videos on the popular Youtube.com website, including many videos involving Ercoupes. The Ercoupe Owners Forum on Yahoo Groups had this one posted and I thought I would share the link. It is a nice production – watch it in full-screen HiDef if you can.

I certainly hope they leave it in place…