----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
First, I loved my time in the Coupe. It's a great little plane.
It's the Miata of aircraft...FUN, FUN, FUN. But, it would seem wise to be
realistic. First, I flew out of a 5,000 msl airport. Most of my
flying was at full throttle. Properly leaned is something that you must
have the correct equipment, and proper technique to do. Most Coupe's
probably don't get leaned properly. I just believe it would be
irresponsible to recommend a Coupe for flying out of a 1600 ft. 9" high grass
strip at full gross.
Larry
----- Original Message -----From: William R. BayneTo: COUPERS-FLYINSent: Friday, October 15, 2004 12:53 PMSubject: Re: [COUPERS-FLYIN] Should I be interested in buying an Ercoupe, Forney, Alon, etc.----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
Hi Larry,
Heh heh...I know where you're coming from!
I recognize that Ed Burkhead and I are a minority in believing if you
=20=
structure the variables that the coupe is as good a cross-country =20
airplane for a two-place as has been made, absent more modern =20
homebuilts. As an example, I believe my one gallon of unusable fuel to
=20=
be twice that actually likely (- 3 lbs.!).
We look for the ways coupes CAN so operate. Of COURSE one must also =20
envision the ways that they are marginal and adequately compensate. We
=20=
all have (or should have) a "comfort zone" for our abilities and those
=20=
of the aircraftin in which we are comfortable.
I also must admit I've yet to see a 75hp or 85 hp coupe properly timed
=20=
and properly leaned on a cross-country burn 5.5 gph. When you figure
=20=
that "heavy" coupes and "light" coupes weigh the same at gross, is that
=20=
in the range of "normal" where you live?
When I was a student pilot, just prior to my first (long) cross-country
=20=
I had my A&P check my timing. He re-set it WRONG! Because I "knew" =20
what my burn should be I was not as attentive to the nose tank wire as
=20=
I should have been. My receipt was for 24 gallons of gas at Blythe. =20
CA! That lesson will never be forgotton.
The pilot that is methodical, meticulous and precise in learning and =20
operating a given aircraft can safely and routinely do things that =20
would entail great danger for others. Perhaps the best example would
=20=
be Bob Hoover's single-engine aerobatics in a "blueprinted" Aero =20
Commander landing "dead stick" with precision again and again.
Regards,
WRB
-- =20
On Oct 15, 2004, at 9:34 AM, MAGIC VAC wrote:
> OK, you Devil you,
> =A0
> =A0=A0=A0=A0First, you forgot to add 50 years of settled dust/dirt +25
> =
lbs.=A0 =20
> And, my 85 hp Coupe always burned around 5.5 gal/hr.=A0 +25 lbs.=A0 =
Plus, =20
> everyone wants that extra degree of safety on fuel, +25 lbs.=A0 Plus,
> =20=
> what good is a plane if you can only fly every time they mow the =20
> grass?=A0 + 1.5" grass.=A0 I still don't think it's a 1600 ft grass =
runway =20
> summertime airplane.
> =A0
> Larry
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: William R. Bayne
> To: COUPERS-FLYIN
> Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 9:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [COUPERS-FLYIN] Should I be interested in buying an =20
> Ercoupe, Forney, Alon, etc.
>
>
> OK, I'll play "devil's advocate...
>
> The pessimist sees the glass as half empty
> The optimist sees the glass as half full
> Fred Weick sees the glass twice the size it needs to be.
>
> A 925 lb. coupe probably has metal wings, a lot of old instruments and
> =
=20
> radios, multiple coats of paint and plush upholstery. Forneys, Alons
> =20=
> and Cadets weigh this much, but they have 90hp.
>
> A 415-D came out of the factory weighing about 825 lbs. It probably
> =20=
> has a metal prop today (+8 lbs) but a modern 25 amp battery (-4 lbs)
> =20=
> and removal of the aileron counterweights (3.5 lbs) cancel this out
> =20=
> (weightwise, NOT C.G.!).
>
> At 4.2 gpm fuel consumption and 100 mph, 250 miles is 4.2 x 2.5 =3D =
10.5 =20
> gal. Add 2.1 gal. for a 30 minute (50 mile) reserve and you have 12.6
> =20=
> gal. @ 6 lbs./gal, or 75.6 lbs. for fuel. Add a gallon for unusable
> =20=
> fuel and you have: A 825 lb coupe, with 81.6 lbs. fuel, 320 lbs. =20
> passengers and 40 lbs. stuff adds up to the approximate max. gross of
> =20=
> a 415-C or CD, given the variables.
>
> Add to the mix some common sense. If you're going on a long trip, plan
> =
=20
> to depart early in the morning (then density altitude performance at
> =20=
> maximum gross on a hot summer day isn't as important). When you're =20
> just flying around locally on a summer afternoon, don't carry baggage
> =20=
> and don't fill the tanks.
>
> If the strip is mowed weekly, try to plan a cross-country "departure
> =20=
> day" within 3 days of mowing so you're dealing with 3-4" grass. I have
> =
=20
> departed Albuquerque at 11am at full gross and 6000' elevation =20
> (marginal with 85hp) in mid-summer. You don't have to clear ALL the
> =20=
> mountains around, just have acceptable clearance on the upwind side of
> =
=20
> those on your chosen route, and approach higher terrain at a 45=BA =
angle =20
> so that you only have to turn 90=BA to turn away should you encounter =
a =20
> serious downdraft.
>
> If you really want extra climb performance, get a rag wing coupe with
> =20=
> a C-90 or 0-200. Ed's climb prop sounds worthwhile, and he still got
> =20=
> better than 100 mph+ cruise performance.
>
> Regards,
>
> William R. Bayne
> <____|-(o)-|____>
> Copyright 2004
>
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