Has anyone put a heated pitot tube on a coupe?? I'd be very interested as it seems a good idea even for so called "light IFR", which I think is as much as you would want to do in a coupe. Dave N9518V -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: JR <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, February 08, 1999 5:01 PM Subject: Re: IFR trainer
>I recently flew my Alon in IFR conditions for the first time >since I purchased it two years ago, but I earned my IFR >rating in an aircraft with every possible navaid and gadget. > >I believe that that you must first decide the purpose behind >your IFR training. If you are going to become a professional >pilot, then the 'coupe is the wrong aircraft for your IFR >training because panel space, electrical capacity, and >weight carrying are inadequate (especially when you are >carrying an instructor and need full fuel) for all the >electronic stuff which will cost more than the aircraft. You >no longer need an ADF for a rating, and a DME was never >mandatory, but just try to make some approaches without one! >You could use an approach-certified GPS for non-precision >approaches - is anyone using one in a 'coupe? > >If you and your instructor are lightweight, and you are >going for a rating merely to be safe in your 'coupe, then go >for it. What you will miss is all the extra equipment in a >complex aircraft which makes IFR tougher to do by keeping >you busy (variable pitch prop, retractable gear, flaps, fuel >switching and management). > >As for equipment, I fly with a single navcom (with flip-flop >display), glideslope, and marker. Of course you pretty much >have to have mode-C in most places. For safely penetrating a >thin overcast going up or down, I feel relatively safe. For >serious IFR flying, I believe the 'coupe needs a heated >pitot and some backup for the vacuum system, plus an >alternate static source. > >If you insist on getting your IFR rating in a 'coupe, I'd >purchase only an Alon or a Mooney due to the panel >configuration, which is the same as more current aircraft. >Founey and Ercoupe panels can be quite confusing for IFR, >and will be different from any other plane you will fly in >the future. > >"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" >David Smoler | __ | > |==/__ยค_\==| > *==========|==| () |==|===========* >Alon A-2 | \____/ | N6359V >s/n A35 () () () based at RHV >"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > >JR wrote: >> >> Would an Ercoupe make an acceptable IFR trainer? >> If so, what would you actually need to add ? >> Does the lack of flaps affect the merit of your total time? >> Do the Forney mfgd coupes have the center tank ? >> Are there any significant variations between ERC, Forney, Alon ? >> Thanks, >> JR >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >
<<attachment: winmail.dat>>
