I have a 1946 Ercoupe 415 C/D and it has all of the latest modifications like an modern type Instrument panel and many updates; dual Rams Horn yoke controls; a Bubble-type canopy with the so-called large baggage shelf; a split elevator; dual fork nose gear; K135A GPS/NavCom; Transponder w/mode C, etc.; and, I can't figure out why it is not an E model. It has the 85 hp Continental (C-85-12-F) engine and metal wings; no rudders.
It's empty weight is 914.4 lbs. It has 9 gallon wing tanks and a five gallon fuselage reserve tank. It has a maximum gross weight of 1400lbs. I haven't been able to fly with my sons (both are commercial pilots, multiengine and instrument rated) because they weigh up to 250lbs each. I weigh about 160 fully dressed. I am a former AF Jet fighter pilot and have witnessed fatal crashes because the pilot did not accurately compute his take-off roll in hot, humid conditions, and/or high elevations. Personally I do not believe in exceeding maximum gross weight under any voluntary condition. Why defy the laws of physics? Speaking of weight and balance, my POH referred to a loading chart, but nowhere could I find such a chart therein. But, there was a loading problem. So I took the forward and rearward extremes and constructed a graph and my own chart. I then took it to an Ercoupe expert who personally worked with Fred Weick, the original designer of the Ercoupe at his home for several days, and who has built a 4 place Ercoupe almost from absolute scratch. He is considered by most coupers as "the " Ercoupe authority, and answers questions from people on Ercoupes from all over the world. I believe he has testified in Ercoupe accident cases as a qualified expert as well, and he advised me that in this particular airplane (The Ercoupe), one need not worry about being within the loading envelope; so long as you are within the maximum allowable maximum gross weight, you within the envelope and are good to go. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of james ayers Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 3:49 PM To: jwardercoupe; [email protected]; Richard Wilkens Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Flying the Coupe overweight? Id charge him for 2 seats. --- On Sun, 11/29/09, Richard Wilkens <[email protected]> wrote: From: Richard Wilkens <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Flying the Coupe overweight? To: "jwardercoupe" <[email protected]>, [email protected] Date: Sunday, November 29, 2009, 9:57 AM I will fly my Coupe up to 1,400 gross weight, but I live in a area that requires me fly out of county airports with 6,000 to 10,000 feet of runway. The air frame as been factory and field test to that weight, so as long as the density altitude is under 5,000 or so I don't have a problem with it (for me that means winter time because the airports are 5,000 to 8,000 msl). If you have flown with yourself and a passenger totaling 450 with any type of fuel load you were most likely over 1,260 gross weight or you have one of those Coupes with an empty weight of 700 pounds. I never compute balance for may Coupe, but always know the weight. With a load like that, I think would compute weight and balance. I would say no just on the point of him getting in and out of the plane. I don't know if the seat pan could hold that much without damaging the windows. Just say NO Richard NC99904 At 07:59 AM 11/29/2009, jwardercoupe wrote: I have had my Coupe for a little over a year and have flown many friends and family. Only once did I take off with a guy that weighed about 270 and I weigh 180 which put me at near max takeoff weight. I barely made it off a little grass strip. My question is could I take off with 6,000 ft. of paved runway altitude of 225 ft. ASL and a guy that weighs about 320? That would put me at 500 lbs and I know that is over weight, but would it be safe if the weather was great and I had lots of runway to takeoff? What does the group think of this? Jerry in the Great Nortwest.
