Beside the fact that I plan to use my Ercoupe for limited PPL training, here's what I like about the pedals-- I find the landing charachteristics similar to large transport-category aircraft that I fly. Just as when the Ercoupe was used to teach 707 pilots how to land in a flat crab, I find the Ercoupe a similarly-easy transition from the 757/767. I land wings level with upwind rudder and let the airplane crab as much as it likes. And just as youy fly most big jets with your feet on the floor after takeoff until around 50' AGL, you can do the same with a 'coupe with rudders.
Yeah, I've heard all the "purists" about how real pilots fly taildraggers, and the non-rudder Ercoupe purists are starting to remind me of those people as well. I'm a "keep it simple" kind of guy, and I know too many big jet and fighter guys who have gotten in trouble flying GA aircraft. To me, a 'coupe with rudders keeps everything similar enough to keep me out of trouble! Later, Dave
