Hi All, Ercoupes are a big draw at airshows for little squirts. I let 'em crawl in, put a headset on, and let their folks snap a picture. It's a plane that's down in their size range and no doubt . . . kids love 'coupes . . . . . lots of knobs and switches.
I cringe a bit when they wiggle the yoke around, but no harm so far, and they leave with a memory that will bring a smile 50 years down the road. I made an Airshow checklist that's similar to "After Landing" and "Shutdown" combined that includes "Primer-IN" and Gas-OFF that I use after an airshow. If I'm heading home, I always go through the Airshow checklist and THEN do a thorough walk-around preflight and the usual Start-up drill before leaving. My big bugaboo when I got my 'coupe was to remember to turn the Gas-OFF after parking, and Gas-ON before start up, (yep, the Stromberg leaks) so I went back to what I used to do on bigger stuff and made up a complete checklist for the 'coupe. I use it from the moment I walk up to the plane 'till I walk away at days end. It keeps my head on straight. I'm also careful about kids crawling under the wing (great shade spot late at an airshow) and stepping off the wing. (it's fabric) So far, I've been lucky and someone's watching over me. Knock wood and say "Thanks up there" TonyB 3067H, Denver ________________________________ From: surmicks <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2009 4:32:37 PM Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Primer left open Greetings, Nice surprise in the hanger this morning, the primer had been knocked open a bit during a static display at an airshow and my header tank had been drained. Big mess under the belly. any one else had this unique experience before? Anything I should watch out for? The fuel had dried to a black goop in the oil pan on the hanger floor undrneath the airplane. Chad Alon A-2 N5479E
