Lesnyd wrote: > As has already been written, the gross weight problem is largest. > If you have an 850 pound 415C with the 1260 limit, that leaves > only 410 pounds for fuel and people and luggage. Fuel is 144 > pounds, leaving 266. That's you and a big 16 pounds of everything > else. With the 1320 STC you now have 76 pounds available, for > luggage or a kid.
Kevin, Lesnyd's math is correct if you're flying a long, cross-country flight. Most of the time when you take people for a ride, it's in the one hour range. Many of us keep the entire 6-gallons in the nose tank for our reserves. Add five gallons in the main for the one hour local flight and you have only 66 pounds of fuel on board. So, 1320 possible gross weight -250 pilot - 66 fuel - 10 (miscellaneous stuff, handheld, gps, maps, a drink) -850 === 144 passenger Having a plane heavier than 850 is very possible. Today, Glen is advertising a D model Coupe at 878 lb. which has a gross weight of 1400 lb. but can't be flown by anyone acting as a Sport Pilot. An identically equipped and configured 415-C with no paint (polished), the same minimal instruments and avionics, no wheel pants, etc., might be as light as 850. So, the gross weight limit might not be significantly limiting to your flying style. And it is a great motivator toward personal gross weight control. I know this from personal experience. Ed > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2008 9:09 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Kevin O'Donnell > Subject: Re: [ercoupe-flyin] Up Close with a Coupe > > Kevin, > > I have an Airtex interior in my Ecoupe and a 6-4 friend of mine has to bend his neck to ride > in it. We usually fly with the windows open so he can be comfortable. I guess some of the > older interiors are lower (the home-made one I replaced was a lot lower than the Airtex). > > As has already been written, the gross weight problem is largest. If you have an 850 pound > 415C with the 1260 limit, that leaves only 410 pounds for fuel and people and luggage. Fuel > is 144 pounds, leaving 266. That's you and a big 16 pounds of everything else. With the > 1320 STC you now have 76 pounds available, for luggage or a kid. I weighed 210 when I > got my pilots license. Now, though, I'm a "typical" 40s pilot - 5-7 and 160 pounds, so I don't > know the trials of being tall. > > Also, unless there is convincing reason (like getting a medical) for getting a sport pilot > license, I would recommend gettng the full private. You get a lot more training, and even > when flying while exercising the privileges of a sport pilot, you don't need all the signoffs > you would need as a person holding a sport pilot certificate. I worry about people out there > getting a sport pilot license with minimal time and no real airspace experience... > > If you have to go sport, I'd recommend just planning on getting the class C and D > endorsements, and getting some extra training. > > Just my thoughts! Your needs may be different. > > ---- Kevin O'Donnell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hello All, > > > > I am in the process of getting my Sport Pilot License. As I start > > considering the types of aircraft I would like to own, an Ercoupe is > > high on the list. > > However, I am a fairly large fellow ( 6'2" 250 lbs) and it has been > > suggested I contact an Ercoupe owner who would be willing to let me > > "try one on for size". I live in Southeastern Massachusetts and of > > course would be willing to travel to meet an Ercoupe owner hopefully > > close by. > > > > I would be mainly interested to find out if I can fit comfortably (or > > a close as possible) while having full elevator control and enough > > headroom to be safe. If anyone can accommodate, lunch is on me! > > > > Kevin O'Donnell > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > >
