Greetings everyone, As my wife always says, I'm slow, but I do poor work! Just been reading some of the past inputs to the list concerning whats required to increase the gross weight in a coupe. Found the following in one of the manuals I have - believe it was published by SKYPORT back in the late 50's, but not sure. This may be a bit long, but I'll quote the whole thing:
1400 LB. GROSS WEIGHT
Models 415-C and 415-CD Ercoupes with a gross weight of 1260 lbs.,
equipped
with instruments, radio, (to meet requirements for Private Pilot
Examination) with pilot, passenger, and full load of gas usually exceed
the
maximum gross weight of 1260 lbs.
However, this condition can be eliminated on the Ercoupe because the gross
weight can be increased form 1260 lb. to a gross weight of 1400 lbs.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXACT DUPLICATION OF AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATION A-787,
PAGE
3, AS REVISED MAY 9, 1957, REVISION 17. THIS EXPLAINS WHAT IS NECESSARY
TO
CONVERT FROM A 415-C MODEL, TO A 415-D MODEL ERCOUPE.
NOTE 2.
The following placards must be displayed on the instrument panel in full
view of the pilot:
(a) "This airplane must be operated as a Normal Category airplane in
compliance with Operating Limitation, Sec. A and B, Approved Airplane
Flight
Manual".
(b) "This airplane characteristically incapable of spinning".
(c) "No acrobatic maneuvers are approved".
(d) "No Smoking".
NOTE 3.
Serial Nos. 113 to 4423, inclusive and 4500 and up: which are designated
as
Model 415-C are also eligible as Model 415-D, under the terms of this
specification provided the following changes are made:
(a) Correct propeller and propeller limits.
(b) Correct control surface travel for the elevator.
(c) Incorporate elevator tab in accordance with ERCO Dwg. 415-22031
(applies to serial Nos. 113 to 4423 inclusive only).
(d) Mark Instrument panel in accordance with Civil Aeronautics
Administration approved Operating Limitations in the Airplane Flight
Manual.
(e) Include placards on the instrument panel and in the cabin in
accordance with Note 2 above.
(f) Revise the orifices for the main and nose gear piston as follows:
SERIAL NOS. ORIFICE SIZE
MAIN GEAR 113 to 812 inclusive .067" diameter
NOSE GEAR 113 to 1622 inclusive .281" diameter
(g) Alter nameplate to indicate the date of conversion, new model
number, and type certificate number.
(h) Install stainless steel upper skin in fuselage aft of firewall in
accordance with ERCO Dwg. 415-31245 (applies to Serial Nos. 113 to 4423
inclusive only).
In the event that your "C" Model still has the C-75 engine, it is NOT
REQUIRED to convert to C-85, but is highlyt desirable.
- - - - - -
They then go into various kits you can purchase from them to accomplish
the
above, and then include the following paragraph which, I must admit, is
confusing to me:
"SPLIT ELEVATOR INSTALLATION
The split elevator can be installed on the model 415-C, CD, and 415-D
without other modifications to increase the gross weight in accordance
with
the SKYPORT AIRCOUPE SERVICES Service Letter."
Does this mean you only need the split elevator - I have only seen a
couple
of them - without the ss skin, placards, orifice enlargement etc. to
legally
increase Gross Weight to 1400 lbs.? I don't have the SKYPORT Service
Letter
referred to - can anyone out there quote it?
Thought this might clarify some of the questions I've read, but after
looking at it, it just might raise more. Comments???
Dan N93775
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