Rich Blair wrote: > I really don't know what to call them or if they really exist, but while > working on the coupe I noticed that there is a sizable gap between the side > windows and the fuselage longeron on each side. This allows rainwater to > run into the inside of the coupe in the most expensive part of the > airplane, the 'center section'. How is this gap sealed?
I bought a canvas couver form an outfit in California. Skyport also sells such. Living in Western Oregon, I am an expert on rain! > also is there supposed to be drain holes in the bottom skin? The Ercoupe was bought out during the transition phase from "conventional" landing gear to tri-cycle. Tri-cycle gear had been used since 1912, but not in a mass-produced, left-out-in-the-weather airplanes! Thus, water drainage was not considered. Tail wheel planes sit at enough of an angle that the water flows out the back. Trike gear needs drainage holds. By the 1960's, Cessna had gotten the idea - there were drain holes in the bottom of my 150. One of my first-flight-of-the-month preflight items was to take a straw or piece of safety wire and clean the grease, etc., out of those holes. Some times I was greeted with quite a stream! I have since drilled holes at the lowest point of my fuselage (don't tell the FAA!). And I have a first-flight-after-left-out-in-the-rain item on the check list - sit on the tail until it drains. All I need is a bunch of water rushing back on rotation and loss of elevator control! > How about arm rests for the > interior or maybe there isn't room for them. I rest my arms on the sill. > While taking the horizontal stabilizer, elevator and rudder apart for > cleaning and preservation, I found mud daubber nest on the interior of the > stabilizer. I measured what I took out and got almost a full three pound > can of the mud nests. You who reside where they do might want to take a > look., Just remove the tailcone and disconnect the elevator rod and swing > the elevator up on the hinges. Gives you a complete looksee into the > interior of the stabilizer. Thanks for the tip! I'm gonna add it to the do-on-next-annual list. Speaking of wasps - once had a bug nest in the pitot tube of above mentioned Cessna 150. Real supprise to rotate and see no (zip, zero) air speed ... Percy
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