----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
Doug,
A little about floats and Ercoupe
A-718 - UNIVAIR AIRCRAFT CORP. - Model - 415-C and 415-CD
203. [Skis (eligible on all models provided propeller installation Use
act.
wt. change meets the minimum 9 in. ground clearance. Maximum weight for
skiplane will be the same as for the corresponding landplane or that shown
in parenthesis after each ski model, whichever is less.]
(a) Federal A-1500 (Maximum 1500 lb.)
A-787 - UNIVAIR AIRCRAFT CORP. - Model (All Others)
Found nothing for floats under this TCDS
Some Ercoupe History:
The Ercoupe was designed between 1936 and 1940, with the first flight of
the
prototype in 1937.
Before WW2, 112 were built and approximately 5,000 were made immediately
after the war.
About 400 more were built between 1958 and 1969.
The original name was derived from the name of the company, ERCO, which
stood for Engineering
and Research Corporation. When later companies manufactured the plane, it
was called the
Aircoupe.
Designed by Fred Weick and a small team, the Ercoupe was the first plane
to
incorporate much of
the original research that Weick performed as the assistant chief of the
NACA aerodynamics
division. These new features include the inability to be held in a spin,
the
tricycle landing gear to
improve landing and take-off safety, the wholly cowled engine, and a
control
system in which the
rudders are linked to the ailerons to simplify controlling the airplane.
All
these features were
invented by Fred Weick and his team.
Fred Weick's design goals for this aircraft were simplicity of control and
safety. He built in great
visibility and ground handling. For safety, the elevator deflection of 13
degrees made stalls nearly
impossible. Turning the control wheel operated nose wheel steering,
ailerons
and proportional
rudder for coordinated turns.
In February 1946, Fred Weick received the Fawcett Aviation Award for the
greatest contribution
to the scientific advancement of private flying.
Forney Aircoupes were made from 1958-1959, Alon made planes from
1965-1967,
Mooney made
the A-2-A (Alon style) Cadet in 1968 and the Mooney M-1.0 Cadet (with a
"Mooney" tail) was made
from 1969-1970.
For FUN FLYING, nothing else is better!
An interesting footnote: The first successful U.S. rocket-assisted takeoff
was accomplished in an
Ercoupe at March Field by Lt. Homer A. Boushey (AAF), with pressed-powder
propellant JATO
rockets developed by Cal Tech. In 1946, California researchers attached
six
rockets to the wings
of an Ercoupe. The pilot, a brave one, ignited a blend of perchlorate,
asphalt, and special oils with
an instrument panel switch. In a blinding flash of light and dense smoke,
Lt. Boushey launched
himself in only 300 feet and 7.5 seconds instead of the Ercoupe's usual
581
feet and 13.1 seconds
Bob Parker
Mena, AR.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Thompson, Doug" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 12:32 PM
Subject: [COUPERS] Floats for the 'Coupe?
| ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following
any
advice in this forum.]----
|
| Okay, I'm relatively new to the Ercoupe family, but I have a question
for
| those of you who have "been around" for a while. I have seen old
| promotional pictures of Ercoupes on floats. I wonder if this is a
current,
| viable (approved) option for the Ercoupe. If so, is there a minimum
engine
| or model rating that is required? Is there a known source for floats?
Are
| they prohibitively expensive? Is there a reason why I would not want to
add
| these to an Ercoupe (instability, very poor flight performance, etc.)?
|
| Thanks for any advice anyone can provide.
|
| Oh yeah, anyone know of a good Alon A-2 for sale? IFR is fine, but I'm
an
| engineer and am pretty picky about the little things...(as most good
pilots
| should be, I guess).
|
|
| Douglas Thompson
| [EMAIL PROTECTED]
|
|
|
|
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