Dan, I would also reference several recent (within the last year or so) complimentary "feature" stories in both AOPA and EAA. Most notably both Linda's and John's restorations. Roy 415-C #752 NC70UF
________________________________ From: [email protected] on behalf of Dan Hall Sent: Sat 1/19/2008 2:38 AM Cc: [email protected] Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Aviation Consumer News Legacy LSA article and Ercoupe response letter. A draft of a letter is provided below which I intend to send to Aviation Consumer magazine in response to their recent article about Legacy LSA's, and in particular, their comments regarding Ercoupes. Please let me know what you think. I welcome input on how to improve accuracy and best represent Ercoupes.... Thanks in advance ! Best regards, Dan Hall @ CNO &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Dear Aviation Consumer News Editor, I have been an avid reader of Aviation Consumer News since the early 1980's and rely upon your publication and the information it provides to the Aviation community. I've been very happy with the value provided. However your recent article on the Legacy LSA's was very disappointing in several respects. The information presented regarding the Ercoupe was incomplete & inaccurate, a number of the Ercoupes significant advantages were downplayed or ignored, and several comments towards the Ercoupe were less than flattering if not outright derogatory, completely un-necessary, and mis-leading to the readers. Inaccuracies; * The article states that the Ercoupe 415C is LSA eligible, but failed to include the 415CD which is also LSA eligible. * The article also states that Ercoupes have no rudder pedals, which is not true. Nearly 50% of Ercoupes do have rudder pedals; they're simply an option (& a completely un-necessary one at that!). * "Spin proof handling? Need we even offer an answer?" Yes, actually the Ercoupe is certified as spin proof! * "One broke up in flight due to center section corrosion." In the case I am aware of some corrosion was found in the center section during the post crash investigation however; the determination was that the Ercoupe appeared to have been stressed beyond design limits prior to the failure, and the corrosion was not the cause of the failure. (In this case it appears likely that the Ercoupe was looped with two aboard, and the failure most likely occurred at the bottom of the loop. An AD ensued and all Ercoupes should have had the wing spar and center sections inspected. In any case a thorough pre-buy inspection should be done for corrosion on ANY & ALL legacy LSA types! Corrosion is not unique to the Ercoupe. * "(doing 95 MPH)" Most of the Ercoupes I know have been converted to 85 HP and even the 75 HP Coupes are generally capable of cruising at over 100 MPH. * "These legacy LSA's are not terribly comfortable, and if you can't fly coordinated and learn to use your feet they'll be neither pleasant nor kind, especially on the runway." This is not (!) true of the Coupe, and it is relatively comfortable, particularly without the rudder pedals installed. Un-necessarily derogatory & mis-leading statements; * "The flight experience is best described as quirky, especially in cross winds, it has no rudder pedals." (The in-flight experience is fairly normal compared to a modern aircraft such as a Cherokee, and only 'quirky' when except compared to older rudder dominant tail wheel aircraft with lots of adverse yaw. While the landings could be described as quirky, it's very capable of handling very stiff cross winds and the beefy trailing link landing gear help to make it MUCH more forgiving on landing than the other types.) * "The Ercoupe, top, is an acquired taste savored by owners who can do without rudder pedals. Crosswind landings are faith-based flying." (Rudders are an option for those so inclined, even if they are completely un-necessary. Cross wind landings are the Ercoupes forte. I have landed my Ercoupe in 30 knot direct 90 degree cross winds and have witnesses and video to prove it, and others claim to have landed their Coupes in 40 knot cross winds. Try that in a tail wheel LSA. Here's a video link; http://youtube.com/watch?v=4Ob7toBLP2I <http://youtube.com/watch?v=4Ob7toBLP2I> @ 5:40 into the video you can watch my Ercoupe land however; be sure to watch the other landing and listen to the Bellanca pilot during take off at the end.) * "Amazingly it will straighten itself out....the way a dead cow straightens out when dropped off a moving truck. " (PLEASE, would the author also use this term to describe a 707 or other transport or military jets using largely the same crab style landing technique?!?!?) * We can't say we're crazy about this plane...." (You don't say?! We'd never have guessed, and BTW who is "we" in this case?) * "If you have lazy feet, the 75 HP Ercoupe 415C may be for you..." * "Last pick is the Ercoupe. They aren't cheap and, in our view, lack the charm of the tail draggers which except for the cub, are all bargain for beginner or lingering pilots." (First, I'd say that if this statement is true, then the market may be contradicting the author. However I'd also note that the figures given show the Ercoupe to be priced within about 10% of the other types, which seems quite reasonable given it's very unique features and key advantages. I'd also add that if we're talking beginners or infrequent flyers, the easy to land and easy ground handling Ercoupe may well be the better pick. For those who prefer tail wheel aircraft like the author, I understand that a 'conventional' type would be preferred. ) Ercoupe advantages compared to other legacy LSA's; * Tri-cycle gear for stable landing & ground handling. * Superior cross wind landing capabilities (I'd be very happy to prove this claim) * Good brakes (many if not most Ercoupes are now converted to Cleveland brakes) * Stall resistant and spin proof (when properly rigged and flown within weight & balance limits) * Responsive full span ailerons. * Electrical system. * Excellent visibility * Mostly metal or all metal construction (only wings are fabric, and many have been metalized), resulting in generally lower costs (recovering a fabric plane is very costly). Mr. Berge clearly favors the more traditional tail Legacy LSA's, and the Champ in particular, which I noticed he owns. All this is fine and I will be the first to admit that the Champ is a worthy airplane. However in this article the content appears to have significantly reflected a personal bias of the author. I expect evenhanded & accurate reporting from the Aviation Consumer and hope you will address the article's shortcomings, and / or print the relevant information for your readers. Sincerely, Dan Hall Ercoupe Owner Club Region 7 acting Director 1947 Ercoupe 415CD N3968H @ CNO (BS Aeronautics, PPSEL, CPSEL, Instrument rated, tail wheel, and 1,300+ hours in Ercoupes)
