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Ed Burkhead http://edburkhead.com <http://edburkhead.com> ed -at- edburkheadQQQ.com (change -at- and remove QQQ) -----Original Message----- From: William R. Bayne [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 11:16 PM To: Ed Burkhead Cc: Harry Francis Subject: FW WRB Relay: Re: [COUPERS-TECH] 1947 415 CD Data Plate RLYTECH (Please send responses to the list or directly to me) Bill Bayne [EMAIL PROTECTED] Begin forwarded message: Hello all, On Feb 26, 2005, at 7:05 PM, Walt Uebele wrote: > ........This is where I'm concerned. Replacing the plate with a > data-plate > for a D model isn't quite legal. I'm afraid I must argue otherwise. Ercoupe Information Letter No. 1 dated Jan. 1, 1956, very specifically describes the conversion of "...a Model 415-CD to a Model D" "...or a Model E". (Skyport sold a "kit" for the D Model modification with their name as "Manufacturer".) The FAA obviously agreed, at least in most regions. In a 10:02 CST 2/10/05 email, Richard Wilkins posted (among others) four FAA Make/Model Codes for the Model 415-D totalling 241 airframes. NONE of these airframes were 415-D Models when they left the factory. I know the serial numbers of 35 415-CD airframes listed by the FAA as 415-D Models. In my opinion if the owners do not presently have "Model 415-D" on the (current?) airworthiness certificate they should have a long, hard talk with their A&P and/or IA. Same statement as to the data plate in the aircraft, which should state "Model 415-D" and the date of conversion to same; with appropriate (and matching log book entries. I choose not to go into proper elevator "up" movement. > Research deep into your FAA CD, logbooks, and 337's searching > for a statement or paperwork that says anything like "1400 pound gross > kit > installed" or "installed D conversion". If nothing like that can be > found > you are free and clear to operate in the sport pilot class. > > For example, I have a C model that has the 1400 gross kit mod. > When > this was completed the "C" data-plate was stamped with the date this > modification was accomplished as per instructions. > You can purchase blank data-plates from Univar, by now you have > already read that from other posts. > > Walt Uebele > 1946 415-C > N94113 Anyone that believes it is possible to modify a Model 415-C to legally operate at 1400lbs gross, with or without a "kit" is wrong. All Model 415-C (or 415-CD) must conform to Aircraft Type Certificate A-718, and all Ercoupes under ATC 718 are limited to 1260 lbs gross. A 415-CD (or 415-C) modified to conform to Aircraft Type Certificate A-787 may operate at 1400 lbs. gross ONLY because it must become a Model 415-D (or 415-E) in order to do so. Fred Weick saw no reason a 415-C should not be allowed to operate in the (then) "new" Normal category at 1400 lbs gross, but the CAA would not allow it. Special "test" conditions made the 415-D fly "against" the 415-C instead of other production aircraft, purportedly because it was spin-proof, and under these conditions it could not "pass" without unreasonable elevator limitation. I say unreasonable because these tests were required flown with five degrees more movement than the CAA would then approved. So with 18º up elevator at 1400 lbs. they didn't like it. At 14º up it was fine, but limited to 9º up (five degrees less) in production. Go figger. So, while a 415-C, in Fred's opinion, was safe to fly at 1400 lb. gross, it remains illegal under FAA regulations to do so. Ercoupers should not think, or be be led to think otherwise. Regards, William R. Bayne <____|-(o)-|____> (Copyright 2004) ========================================================================== ==== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm Search the archives on http://escribe.com/aviation/coupers-tech/
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