[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Hi, my name is Michael McConaughy and I am searching for a nice Alon to buy. > The members have been extremely helpful in passing on information to me. I > have heard conflicting facts on the bubble canopies. > > I've heard you can open the canopy fully up to 100mph or you can only open > the canopy 4 inches inflight. Does anybody know for certain? > > I've also discovered a lot negative predisposition at my local airport > towards coupes in general. Underpowered, and not a real airplane I guess > because of lack of rudder pedals in most models. Hard to get parts for, > overpriced, etc... Any thoughts? > > Mike
Hi Mike,
I can't help you (from experience) about flying with the bubble
canopy
open. I've heard the same things you have however. I've heard that it's
okay up to 100mph and I read on this forum not to long ago that a forney
bubble blew completely off the plane when he tried to open it at below
100mph.
I fly a 415C with the slide-down side windows and they have no
trouble
at all at any speed, open or closed or anywhere in between.
As for the negative comments you hear around the field, take them
with
a grain of salt and just consider the source from whence then came.
It's really easy to "bad-mouth" something that you know nothing about.
Tne next time you hear someone say something negative about an Ercoupe,
ask him if he's ever flown one. If he says YES ask him some detailed
questions, such as how do you land them in a crosswind when no one else
is flying for that very reason. If he says NO ask him how he knows so
much about something that he has no experience in. My bet is, his
answer will be NO so you won't have to persue the subject any farther.
Which ever way he answers, ask him what his cruise speed is and how much
fuel he burns at that speed. Then enlighten him to the economy of the
coupe with the same cruise speed as the C150 that he is probably only
renting. It's really nice to fly for only a few bucks an hour compared
to the megabucks that that C150 is costing him if he's renting. If
he
does, in fact, own a plane ask him what he paid for it and what his
annual upkeep is. Then enlighten him again with your figures. Unless
he's rich and can afford a Mooney or a Bananza or a P-51, then the
conversation should already be over.
Like I said, just consider the source. The uninformed always talk
as
though they really know something.
Maybe I sound a little harsh, but it's only because I've "been
there,
done that" several times myself. You can't convince a 'brick wall' of
anything, but usually a pilot will know when he stares facts in the
eye. If none of this works, just forget it and go flying and relax.
As for parts, yes they are a little expensive. Anything that is
over 50
years old is hard to find parts for....unless you know where to look. I
can name at least three places right off the top of my head that you can
find 'new' Ercoupe parts and several sources for used parts. Right here
on this forum is an excellent place to find all the info and parts that
you'll probably ever need.
I've had my coupe for over 13 years and so far I have had no
trouble at
all finding anything I need. Come to think of it, nothing has broken on
it that wasn't just minor and easy to find. Boy am I glad I fly a coupe
instead of one of those 'rich kid' toys. :-) Annual inspections are
cheaper, fuel is cheaper, etc. Why spend twice or triple the money for
a lesser airplane???? One that sits on the ramp or in the hangar when
the wind isn't straight down the runway. I have yet to encounter a wind
that is to 'sideways' for my coupe. (Of course I don't live in hurricane
or tornado country either, just the windy northwest.)
I've rambled on about this subject long enough. Forget what the
people
say, just buy a good coupe and forget them and their rumors. Just fly
and have fun.
Bob Saville
N3396H 415C
Eugene, OR
PS...Don't limit your search to just Alons, the 415's are one of
aviations best kept secrets. I wouldn't trade my 415C for any other
model of equal condition. Back to basics, simple, original and fun,
that's my coupe. (And very economical to opperate and maintain. And I
can fly with my windows in what ever position I want at what ever speed
I want.)
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