Not a bad idea!!!!
Glen
From: Jerry Eichenberger
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 7:14 PM
To: Glen Davis ; [email protected] ; falconn_13
Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] New Guy
I agree with Glen, except for one issue. Don't do a pre-buy; but rather,
have an annual done.
A pre-buy has no defined scope and detail, and can be anything from a
thorough preflight to almost an annual.
An annual inspection has a defined scope and detail, including assuring that
all of the paperwork is in order and the airplane is legal. We've all seen
many airplanes that are physically safe to fly, but aren't airworthy because of
paperwork issues.
You pay for the inspection, seller pays for repairs or remedies.
Jerry E.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Glen
Davis
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 6:52 PM
To: [email protected]; falconn_13
Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] New Guy
Chip
Welcome aboard!
For reference, I have owned two Grummans, a Glasair, a Piper and a couple
of Ercoupes. The Ercoupe is no more maintenance intensive than any other plane
of of similar vintage. In fact, the Ercoupe is basically a very simple
airplane so dollar for dollar, or hour for hour, it is less of a maintenance
queen than most others. The reason you hear a lot of maintenance problems and
questions on this forum is simply that is one of the primary reason for this
forum! It's like going to a cooking website...you would expect to hear about
recipes.
Having said that and having owned a couple of Ercoupes, I will go on to say
this: In my opinion there are more poorly maintained Ercoupes out there then
there are most other makes/models. I believe the reason for this is purely
economics The Ercoupe is one of the least expensive airplanes you can buy.
Therefore, it is attractive to those with the smallest budgets. As we have the
smallest budgets, some of us can't or wouldn't maintain our planes as they
should be maintained. Some Ercoupe owners, to save money, stretch the rules by
doing work on the planes themselves that is not legally done by a person
without an A+P license. Some of us use parts that are not FAA approved parts
because the parts from the auto parts store "fit". For these reason, I feel
there are a lot of Ercoupes flying that have questionable maintenance.
I feel the trick to getting a good Ercoupe is find one that has been taken
care of properly and legally. This next statement is very important so please
listen carefully..."have a prebuy inspection BY AN ERCOUPE SAVVY MECHANIC
before you make the purchase". It will cost you around $500 for this service
but will save you thousands in the long run. An Ercoupe savvy mechanic does
not mean a guy that has done an annual or two on an Ercoupe. There are only a
handful of these guys around the country. When you are ready, ask for
recommendations here. You will also find a list of them when you join the
Ercoupe Owners Club http://www.ercoupe.org/ . A well maintained Ercoupe should
be able to fly from annual to annual with very few squawks.
Rudder peddles are a personal preference issue. If you are a tall guy,
Your legs will feel cramped with pedals. I think an almost unanimous opinion
is that the Ercoupe without peddles is easier to land, once you get the hang of
it. I have flown with both. I don't know the answer to the second part of
your paragraph 2. I will defer to my friend Lynn on that.
Windshields: The bubble gives you the feeling of more room. I personally
think it makes the plane less attractive...more bulbous. The conventional
windshield is more streamlined. My Coupe has a bubble.
Currently I have a four-place aircraft and the Ercoupe. The Ercoupe is
MUCH more fun to fly. Unless I am going on a long trip, I prefer my Ercoupe.
Welcome aboard.
Glen
Ercoupe N3103H
Grumman Tiger N70GD
From: falconn_13
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 6:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ercoupe-tech] New Guy
Greetings All,
I have been a member of this list and the "fly in" list for a short
time, and have thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts on both. You
folks have an amazing amount of knowlege and experience.
I am seriously considering becoming an Ercoupe owner for several
reasons, and look forward to joining in the discussions as a
real "couper". I do have a few questions I haven't been able to
answer by reference to the list archives. If someone would kindly
spare the time to answer, I'd really appreciate it.
1. I am an experienced pilot and a basic OK home mechanic, but have
not the time, qualifications, nor skills to be a primary mechanic for
an aircraft. I would like very much to own a 'coupe, but could not
justify spending more time working on it than flying in it. From the
lists, it seems that much time is spent in searching for parts,
looking for answers, and waiting for the bird to come out of repair.
I am fully aware the this is an older "classic" aircraft, which is
one of the reasons I like it, and as such requires more TLC and
patience than a more modern type. That I am willing to do, over and
above all the usual annual/overhaul/inspection/normal wear-and-tear
stuff, within reason. If I put forth the effort to buy a 'coupe in
good safe and solid condition to begin with, do I have a reasonable
expectation of flying it more than worrying about it and fixing it?
2. Regarding rudder pedals: Personally, I can go either way, but
would prefer the original design. If I find a good 'coupe modified
with rudder pedals, is some sort of aileron/rudder interconnect still
active, or would that have been disabled at time of modification? And
if so, could it be re-connected? I spent quite a few hours flying a
type that had aileron/rudder interconnect via a spring/bungee cord
arrangement. Normally, not much rudder needed, but if a slip was
required, just over-ride the bungee cord and you've got full rudder
authority. Anything like that in the rudder pedal 'coupes?
3. I notice references to "bubble" or "bbl" windshields
occasionally. Is there some sort of advantage one over the other? I
can't tell just by looking at the pictures.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer and help. My wife is
also excited about this idea (YEAAAA!!!!)and we will be at Sun and
Fun for the first couple of days. Hope to see some of you there.
Chip Dockery
Glen
Glen Davis
917 297 1111
www.ishootpictures.com
www.ercoupepilot.com
Glen
Glen Davis
917 297 1111
www.ishootpictures.com
www.ercoupepilot.com
