Hi, Mike. I just received my Sport Pilot certificate in late November. I too am 59 so I can appreciate your situation. I started my Sport Pilot training in a motor-glider (Lambada) since there was not much else available at the time. I kept looking for an entry level LSA and also decided that the Ercoupe fit the bill. I wanted a tri-gear and an electrical system with a starter. As I learned more about the Ercoupe, I learned much more about how technically advanced the Ercoupe design was and how it provides benefits to a new and inexperienced pilot or student. When I finally located an Ercoupe, I had to move fast since they didn't seem to stay on the market long.
I did the majority of my training in my Ercoupe. I can tell you that I definitely saved money on aircraft rental fees, but learned that the purchase price of the aircraft is just a major down payment on the complete cost. I have put around 30% of the orginal price into essential repairs and upgrades in the last year and a half. Even at that, the value of my Ercoupe today exceeds my investment. Good luck on your training. Believe me when I say, it is well worth the effort and expense. This online forum has been a tremendous asset to me and you will find that people here are eager to help. Access to this knowledge base is one of the key advantages to owning an Ercoupe. I only hope that I can return some small part of the value that this group has given me. Good luck. Frank Nelson N51DV - 415C TOA --- In [email protected], "mikeno1049" <mik...@...> wrote: > > Hi all! I ran across the group while searching the web for anything Ercoupe. After years of > dreaming of flying I've finally (at age 59) started taking the first steps. The first setback was > a medical condition which prevents me from earning a PPL. However, the option of a Sport > Pilot certificate will still allow me to fly within limits. So while spending hour perusing various > LSA (primarily Aeroncas, Luscombe, Taylorcraft, etc..) I kept running across Ercoupes. My > Dad was a pilot and A&P for 50 years and I can remember he always spoke highly of Ercoupe > stability and reliability. And most are within my budget. So here I am - ignorant but eager to > learn and this site looks like a wealth of information. > One problem I having in my area (Kansas City) is finding a Sport Pilot instructor with a LSA. > As crazy as it seems I've almost reached the conclusion that the only way I'm going to get my > ticket is to buy a plane and take my lessons in it. > So I'm open to any advice you all might have on any of the above. If you're aware of an > instructor with a LSA in the vicinity and/or a Ercoupe for sale please let me know. > thanks all - Mike >
