The message about the canopy flying off was quite funny!!!!!!! Good thing the 'Coupe has a split tail!!! Anyways, sorry the message did not get out this morning for I had something else come up, heres the rest of what ever I can type tonight. Relax and Enjoy. Zach.
We therefore thumped and bumped southward toward Dallas.
At cruise, we discovered, the rudder is so insensitive that
passengers may use the pedals for a footrest. Head room is excellent;
baggage space a bit short.
Some say the Aircoupe is noisy. No. It's noisier, but not
noisy.
Otherwise, the Aircoupes cabin is outstanding; exceptionally
outstanding, in fact. Quality of fabrics and finish in 61 Fox was equal
to
that in planes costing twice as much. Bucket seats (ground adjustable
only) are comfortable, arm rests standard. And a new, quickly removable
panel overhead eliminates need for straw hats under that bubble canopy
(tinted for 80$ extra). Even the ashtrays are O.K.
The only complaint we had was with ventilation, and that's
already been remedied, as has an earlier squawk on ignition switch
location. It's now cleverly placed behind the left yoke where it cannot
be turned on unless the control lock pin has been removed.
A full gyro panel with engine-driven pump has been installed in
61 Fox ( a 785$ option) and in a short bout with a hood we managed to stay
right side up and on course, moderately rough air not with standing.
Speeds? Alon says the plane will true at 104kts (120mph) at
2,000 feet, standard day, 2,475rpm (83%) and full everything. We got
96kts (111mph) true at gross, on a hot day, 2,500 feet high in a sky
full of chuck holes. Alon by the way, recommends 2,475rpm for cruise.
And indeed, our engine was rough from there down to 2,250 where we trued
at 87kts (100mph) from 82kts(95mph) indicated.
The Aircoupe rides bumps fairly well for its weight (1,450
pounds), but enough's enough. South of Oklahoma City, where we'd gassed
to gross, we climbed for smooth air. At 9,500 it was still rough. At
11,500 we were dodging clouds. We leveled off at 13,500. Alon says
service ceiling is 17,500. It is. At 13,500, in a 40-degree heat yet,
the indicator was 75kts(86mph) for a true of 94kts(108mph). We double
checked it: 94.
Just between us, we were turning the engine 2,550, but at that
altitude with a fixed pitch prop, 2,550 couldn't has been more then 50%.
We still had some throttle left, which suggests that maybe 61 Fox's prop
was a little flat.
Next day we asked instructor M.T. Goble, proprietor of Globe
Aviation , to go up with us for some serious flying. Goble, in
developed, is a most serious fellow. Quicker than you can say "Shape
up." he'd shaped us up. For some reason 59kts(68mph) had stuck with us
as a best short-field speed. Goble would have none of that.
He scratched around, found the pilots manual and soon has us using
the stub end of Redbirds Runway 13 for our take off's, with climbs over
obstacles at 43kts(50mph) indicated.
The Aircoupe it seems, in a 90-hp STOL. It would also seem that
the Aircoupe is an economical instructional vehicle. Operational costs
are 5$ is 6$ per hour, plus depreciation, if flown 700hours per year.
Alon does a fine job of nailing the ships together and 10 or more
normally deluxe items are standard: stainless steel exhausts, recording
tach, three-color paint, full lights, dual controls. And, best of all,
new single leaf spring gear.
Well folks, I have to leave off there for now, must get ready to go to
bed for school in the morning.
Zach Freiberg
Co-Pilot
NC94196
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