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on 2/5/03 2:52 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> If you had the opportunity to make it better, What are the things you
would
> like to see improved on the Ercoupe?
Well, there are three ways to approach this idea:
A. Reducing limits on the use, life and joy of existing airframes
1. Get the "D" model approved with 13º up elevator and 1450#.
2. An "approved" four-gallon nose tank shortened from the rear
for better instrument clearance with NASCAR fire foam inside.
3. Seat bottoms with the new aerospace "memory" type firm foam
4. Seat backs with lumbar supports
5. 500x5 Cleveland MLG conversion kit
6. One foot (each side) wingspan increase kit (to 32')
7. Optional wing tanks spanning above and original wing cut-outs
(estimated capacity each such tank: 10-1/2 gal.
8. New STC'd float-type interior "easy-read" wing tanks gauge
9. Unmuffled separate exhaust stacks per the 65 hp 415-C or Alon
10. Fuel injection and Alon A-3 drag reducing firewall forward
metal
With the above, I'd also go for all your "want list items
> Constant speed prop.
> More powerfull engine
> Retractable gear (Hey, at least one of 'em had it)
> Higher Airspeed
> Lighter, more modern, Instrumentation
Of course, each of the first three gives some of the fourth! And with
my "more modern instrumentation" I'd want a light starter/generator
unit, an autopilot kit (single-axis wing leveler with GPS tracking)
from
Radio Shack components operating fail-safe electrically operated
aileron
tabs, a mini-turbocharger and a demand-oxygen system for two.
2. "Betterments" probable were the coupe in production today
(see most of the above)
3. "Betterments" starting with a blank piece of paper and the
original spirit of the Henry Berliner-Fred Weick collaberation
If we're going to dream, let's assure adequate capitalization. If I could
talk Bill Gates into bankrolling it, instead of "Alon" (from "Allen" and
"Higdon") we could name it the "Gayne" (no, reminds me too much of my
midriff) or "Bates" (OK if neither of us is ever addressed as "Master").
Taking Erco's wartime idea of a plywood Ercoupe into the space age with
carbon fiber, autoclaves, etc. and maybe Rutan as a consultant...do
everything discussed above (without "spinproof" certification). Composite
construction is quieter. With clam-shell doors, side-window drag is
reduced, more width would be optional (for those who would accept the
added
drag-aren't you glad Fred Weick wasn't the size of a jockey?), and maybe
even cockpit pressurization?
With a modern laminar-flow wing of reasonably benign flight
characteristics,
the same type of differiental control movements and fuselage/wing
fairings,
higher power, greater fuel capacity and lighter wing loading the
original's
efficient compromises might even be perceived as improved somewhat
overall.
As some have said, a "cleaner", faster bird flys closer to the VNE and,
together with controllable prop and retractible gear, is more complex (and
unforgiving) to operate...that's not necessarily bad - just an informed
choice each would have to make as to what they want in (and of) their
bird.
It could be a kit that could be owner-maintained (and modified) or
professionally finished... ready to train more pilots, help salesmen and
consultants get around, or go for for $100 hamburgers.
As a sideline, we'll buy a freighter, gut it, install condos, a
restaurant,
food service, modern mechanicals and electricals and a cant deck on top.
Oh, yeah, an elevator, hangar deck, machine shop, Ercoupe/etc. library,
card
tables, a spa/gym, a pool, and satellite TV. Then sell time shares in the
"Coupe Bucket" so purchasers could vacation the world with their birds!
Operating funds will be supplemented by income from videos of
qualification
training and operational landings, scattering ashes, and kickbacks from
each
lawyer drawing up and getting the necessary releases signed before each
cruise, associated insurance companies and, of course, friendly
governments.
Step right up, folks...who'll be first to buy stock or sign up for a
cruise?
WRB
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