________________________________
From: Bill Coons <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, March 9, 2010 5:18:05 PM
Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Ercoupe on floats.
Hi,
I know this has gone around in the past, but I have two friends with a
dinner bet on this one. Of course it is about the Ercoupe on floats.
Does anyone have the REAL answer on this one. At Oshkosh one year I
visited the EDO float booth and talked to an old guy (sure) there. He
said that on the day of the FAA test, The Coupe went out of control and
the pilot had to bail out. Therefore no certification. That does not
mean to say that they never attached them and flew anyway, but it sure
was not legal. I guess the bet should come down to Did they fly, or
were they certified. ?
Next. Where did all of the photos with floats come from. There are lots
of them.They sure look authentic but Photoshop is a wonderful tool.
Does anyone know of any Coupe that has flown legally or illegally.
I have done several drawings with floats attached, but I have an
artist's license and do anything I feel like. (Almost)
What say...
Bill Coons
HI Bill,
IN Ercoupe, a Touch of Class, there is discussion on the float plane. It was
very successful in flight and landings on water, BUT required rudder control
for taxing in water...... As I remember, the coupe was flown as Experimental
for several hours, and certainly was a beautiful plane. However, because it was
low wing, there were some concerns about approaching docks. On the CAA
certification test flight, spins were attempted, because the plane was three
control, as rudders were needed to control the float system on water. During
attempted recovery, an aeliron departed from the airplane, and the CAA Pilot
bailed out. The coupe was destroyed. I understand that was the end of ERCO's
attempt to certify the Float plane, as this was about the time of stopping
production..
Your pictures are absolutely perfect :)
I have loaned my copy of all my Coupe books, so can't give you the page
numbers.....
Glad to se you still active.....wish I could get up there for coffee.
Harry
