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My Alon does not have the 9 degree reminder spring,
nor did about three other Alons that I have flown. The Ercoupe that I
augured in, in 1991 was a full fledged D model with 9 degrees of up elevator and
an O-200. Never again!! 65 miles per hour at touchdown in a plowed
field is recipe for trouble.
Wayne Woollard
----- Original Message -----From: William R. BayneTo: COUPERS-FLYINSent: Monday, January 10, 2005 5:10 PMSubject: Re: [COUPERS-FLYIN] stalls in the Coupe
Hi Wayne,
Sounds like Glen doesn't have all the nomenclature down pat, but don't have a cow! (Correction!)
His plane is merely "E Model" spec. and not "D Model" spec. If his paperwork isn't 100% right with this, I'll guarantee he isn't the only one. Yes, he needs to get the paperwork right if it isn't, but he's probably not in actual danger at present...he's asking the right questions of the right people.
Do Alons have a "low speed warning cushion" spring? Their flight manual and service manual doesn't mention it, but neither do those for the Forneys (and I KNOW the Forney has this spring).
The E Model does NOT require fitting of rudder pedals (nor does the G Model). These are neither on the "Standard" or "Optional" equipment list in the Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Models 'E' and 'G'.
OK, Glen...
If you have a coupe legal at 1400lbs fitted with the split elevator, your paperwork should indicate this to be an E Model. (See Ercoupe Information Letter No. 1). Your engine should have been converted to 85hp spec. with the additional baffles around the oil tank.
Such installation of the split elevator also requires fitting/rigging of the "low speed warning cushion" spring per ATC 787. This means when you pull back on the wheel, at about 9º up you hit that bodacious spring and it takes a lot more effort to pull back and get the elevator movement from 9º to 20º up.
So, if you were using the latter elevator movement in flight other than just before touchdown (overriding the increased spring pressure), DON'T DO THAT! (See p. 6, Approved Airplane Flight Manual, Models 'E' and 'G'). If not, I would have your rigging checked.
I experienced exactly what you describe in a Model C my first flight after solo. With an instructor, stalls were gentle like your power-off stall. Solo, that sucker broke and dropped the left wing quite abruptly. While this was unexpected (and startling), I did not feel in danger of any sort I didn't know enough about coupes at the time to go back and check out the rigging all around to see if it was as it should be.
Regards,
William R. Bayne
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(Copyright 2004)
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On Jan 10, 2005, at 5:39 PM, Wayne wrote:
Glen::
Reports like this just scare the absolute hell out of me. First of all the configuration of your Ercoupe is non-standard, and there is no report of the amount of up elevator, or the speeds you entered into the stall break. If your aircraft is a D model it should have the continuous elevator with the up elevator travel limited to 9 degrees with a block on the control shaft. The split elevator was not introduced until the E model if I am not mistaken, and should have the aftermarket rudder pedals installed. I would hate to go into a full power on stall in any airplane without enough rudder control to at least stop the rotation after the nose breaks over.
If I am wrong about this, please someone correct me!
My Alon with rudder pedals will mush on in level flight, not attempting to break left, and maintain altitude at an airspeed of about 45 mph indicated, power off it just mushes over and the wings remain level.
Wayne Woollard
----- Original Message -----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 2:42 PM
Subject: [COUPERS-FLYIN] stalls in the Coupe
I took my Coupe out for some exercise recently and decided to test this stall-proof, spin-proof theory.
At full power and the yoke full aft, the pitch attitude is very steep. Then it did break and the nose dropped to about level flight. I was surprised it did that. I thought it was just suppose to mush. There was a definite break. Also, when it broke, the left wing dropped and required right aileron to keep it straight. I did the same thing with power off and there was no break and the wing did not drop, just a nice mush and a decent of 700 FPM.
I'm curious if others have the same experience?
My coupe is a C, converted to a D, and also has the split elevator.
Glen Davis CFII
Grumman Tiger N70GD
1946 Ercoupe N3103H
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