Robert, This subject would have been better posted on the tech forum to include another 150 of our members including some of the best experts (though you have gotten great advice so far). But, once the discussion is started, we don't like to move it. Please do post good technical questions like this on tech in the future, though.
Two or three people have mentioned the tail height / level on the ground issue. Based on your described symptom, I'd check that first. The Coupes should track nicely in a very strong cross wind needing only a mild (one finger) forward push on the yoke to keep the nose wheel on the ground (if any forward push at all) right up to the snatch-it-off-the-ground airspeed. Syd mentioned that the tail should be 75" high. That's true if you have the single fork nose gear. If you have the double fork nose gear, ideal would be 76 1/2 inches high. The actual specification is level as measured by the window sills. If you tail is drooping, you will have degraded crosswind behavior. With extreme tail droop, the degradation can approach dangerous. Here's a useful reference: http://skyportservices.net/Spacers.pdf As well, check the rigging and make sure the ailerons are exactly centered when the nose wheel is centered. (Track along a line for a distance then stop and check the ailerons fit at the wing root.) Your Coupe should have better crosswind takeoff behavior than anything else out there in its class. Ed Burkhead http://edburkhead.com/Ercoupe/index.htm East Peoria, Illinois ed -at- edbur???khead.??com (remove the ? marks and change -at- to @)
