Kim; Not sure which positions are helpful, but the later coupes (around #4000) have the little console in the middle of the panel with throttle and trim levers. Wouldn't be too difficult of an upgrade to do and since it's all ERCO, a logbook entry should be all that's required. Al
----- Original Message ----- From: Kim Blackseth To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 9:09 PM Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Re: Ercoupe Trim All... Boy, was the below email helpful, thanks! As a very low time pilot (80 hrs or so), all in my Ercoupe, I have been having trouble with a stabilized approach the last few weeks. As many know, I'm a disabled pilot (quadriplegic) who passed his Private Pilot check ride with little trouble, only two months ago. The last few weekends (today included) I feel like everything I learned about stable landing approaches has suddenly "escaped" me and I'm flying like some neurologically challenged idiot (wait...I am neurologically challenged!). Because the trim handle is in a tough location for me to get to, I've generally flown the 'coupe in neutral cruise trim on all phases of flight. I do make minor adjustments in level cruise, when workload is low, but generally leave it very neutral. My approaches the last few weeks have been horrible. Not unsafe, but just plain "not up to standards". Minor yoke adjustments on base and final have me ballooning or all over the place. I'm having a tough time hitting a "spot". I think working on using the trim, as described below,has gotta happen, I can totally see the benefits outlined below! I'm going to relocate the trim cable and handle to a location that I can get to in higher workload conditions (with proper FAA and AI supervision, of course...) Thanks for the info... Kim Blackseth N2332H Hi Gary, Maybe you are trying too hard. Pilots with experience in other planes must force themselves to bring a coupe in for landing holding the yoke with two fingers a! nd a sta bilized approach. I have pictures of factory pilots landing the coupe with both hands held up in the air (but I don't recommend that to us mere mortals)! The Ercoupe was DESIGNED to accomplish the brief transition from flight to ground operation without pilot input. Accept that there are times in landing and takeoff that the coupe is "pre-programmed". It is designed to do the right thing at the right time automatically. When a pilot does NOT yield conscious yoke control from the time the mains chirp for the two seconds it takes for the nose wheel to absorb it's share of the coupe's weight and align itself (and the plane) with the runway, it is not uncommon that every firm and decisive action decreases the predictability and smoothness of the landing. Before feeding in power for a crosswind takeoff, remind yourself that "soft field" technique (where you pull the yoke all the way back and let the plane lift off when it can) is NOT appropriate. I ALWAYS take off and land with my trim set for cruise so I am FLYING the bird entirely myself at these critical phases of flight. The Ercoupe Instruction Manual (p. 3) says "The position indicator...can be left in the cruising position at take-off as the control forces are very light." When the Ercoupe Instruction Manual (p. 6, bottom) says that "...the airplane may be set on the ground at up to twice the minimum speed, and as long as the control wheel is not pulled back will stay on the ground", that is most certainly not true during a crosswind takeoff if trim is set nose high (Land). Unless the trim is set in cruise position for takeoff in crosswinds a coupe WILL gradually lose some steering authority as flying speed is reached unless the effect of the trim is consciously overridden with the yoke. As Ed said, accelerate to 5-1! 0MPH abo ve whatever your "soft field takeoff speed is and then make a distinct rotation. With cruise trim you must exert rearward yoke force to rotate. In one to two seconds the coupe will realign its heading from that of the runway to that necessary for a flight track down the runway in a level or climbing crab. Let it do that...adjust ONLY the track (left or right gently) to stay over the runway, and set your trim for the "cruise-climb" speed of your choice. I usually choose an airspeed of 86-91MPH TAS and then reduce throttle from full power just enough to drop 1 MPH. Pitch is stabilized and rate of climb is what it is. At this point, think of Fred Weick's brain as "the Force". TRUST IT! The Ercoupe is the only low wing design with sufficient wing dihedral to be laterally inherently stable without pilot input. The engine right thrust compensates for "P-factor". Down thrust compensates for an above the wing thrust line at all power settings, thus the Ercoupe is also inherently stable (as trimmed) in pitch at a given power setting. All the pilot need do is select and hold heading and adjust the trim for "level cruise" and (later) "descent from cruise". It just doesn't get any simpler. One question: what is the free play in your ailerons and what did you do with it when they were rigged? Best regards, William R. Bayne .____|-(o)-|____. (Copyright 2009) -- On Apr 18, 2009, at 20:41, G. Davis wrote: Ok, I have waited for this day for months now;I have been flying at sunset with zero wind, and trying to get the feel of my Coupe N94027....Now, I have strayed a bit and doing some x-wind take offs and landings. The landings seem to be just right in spite of my poor input at times. I do LOVE the low wing touch down, compared to the onl! y plane I have ever flown, the Cessna. But.......right after lift off, is where the excitement begins. I cant seem to level the wings, keep the nose the right pitch, NOTHING!. I seem I am behind the plane always, and never control it, it is controlling me. But, the landings are sweet. What the heck am I doing wrong, other than trying to fly an Ercoupe? Humbly,Gary
