On Thursday, January 21, 1999 7:54 PM, Syd Cohen [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Because of > > >the linked aileron/nosegear steering, it is difficult for the pilot to > > >check the controls as thourally as they might - you can only check your > > >ailerons with the airplane in motion. > > Art, you can check the aileron travel by putting a sandbag on the horizontal > stabilizer as is shown on page 11 of the Ercoupe Service Manual and thus
raise > the nose wheel off the ground. Then the ailerons can be cycled from full left > to full right so you can check for free travel. > > > > Syd Cohen > NC94196 Thanks, Syd! I have done that on a number of occasions to inspect, and to change the nosewheel tire. When I made that particular statement I was referring to each and every time we fly. In my Luscombe, I could do a "military" style control check at run-up. In the Coupe, I make a couple of 180's or S turns on taxi, just to check controls visually, and make sure everything works before I take the runway. When the airplane is at rest, you can feel that everything is secure, but I like to see those ailerons go up and down just once, for luck! One of the many great features of the Ercoupe - you sure aren't going to taxi anywhere with a gust lock still in - you wouldn't be able to steer on the ground! Only that one time, when I first bought the aircraft, did we disconnect the steering, just to see what we were dealing with in terms of the condition of the flight controls, the nose gear assembly, etc. and I think it made it a little easier to evaluate things. This is certainly nothing I'd do all the time. Lowering the tail works great! Artie Langston Artie Langston Doghouse Music, Inc. [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://members.socket.net/~alangston
<<attachment: winmail.dat>>
