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This month my BFR is due, so I located an instructor on my home airport (University Airport, Davis, California) and arranged an appointment. Instead of a simple BFR we decided to do the Wings program, so we'll do three flights altogether. The instructor, Don, had never flown in an Aircoupe but was interested in trying it. I took a couple of minutes before engine start to explain the principles of Coupes and the particulars of my Alon. Then off we went to a practice area for maneuvers. Don flew the plane for a few minutes on the way out. It didn't take him long to discover the relatively stable yet sporty handling, and the slightly out-of-trim condition of my Alon. He was very impressed with the visibility--he is used to Cessna 152s and 172s, so the bubble canopy of the Alon is amazing in comparison. He asked if I ever flew at night under a full moon. Yes, I replied, and flying over N. California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay is a favorite course, with the full moon shining off the waters. He had me do some power-off and power-on stalls, if you could call them that. I held the yoke completely back, full power on, and it stalled for a second, dropped the nose, and recovered by itself. No bad habits as to dropping a wing. Of course it would easily fly at 45 mph IAS at nearly full power without losing altitude and very controllable in turns both ways. Next were steep turns, both directions. Fortunately I was able to maintain altitude until at 360 degrees we hit our own turbulence, something I didn't expect since steep turns are not my strong point. Again, with the bubble canopy, it is a fantastic view in turns. I let Don try a turn in both directions and with each maneuver his impression of the little Coupe increased. After some ground maneuvers it was time to return. Don asked if the plane could be flown with canopy open--sure, said I, up to 100 mph. So we unlatched our two sides and slid the canopy back, Don holding onto my sectional. Some air blasted around, the noise increased, and I added power to compensate for the drag, but with the temperature in the low 80s it was a pleasant way to head back home. The landing wasn't one of my better ones, but the trailing beam gear made it seem better than it was. Don had a great time and I think we have another proponent of our Coupes and their remarkable attributes. Ralph Finch N6359V ========================================================================== ==== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm Search the archives on http://escribe.com/aviation/coupers/
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