I would think there would be a serious weight problem.Glenn Putnam
On Mar 9, 2010, at 9:16 PM, John Craparo wrote:
As recently as two months ago I asked a similar question on the
Forum over at the Seaplane Pilots Association. I received the same
explanation given here by the former chairman of Edo. Co-op ads
announcing availability were already running in various
publications when testing failed due to insurmountable problems.
Many experienced seaplane pilots also jumped in to explain the
difficulty with low wing float plane designs, including docking
challenges due to wing contact if a dock is above water level.
Best,
John
On Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 4:53 PM, Syd Cohen <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Bill,
From all that I have read in "A Touch of Class" and "From The
Ground Up," those photos are of the test airplane. After flying it
in many areas, with many water landings, ERCO realized that the
SeaCoups would have to have its rudders independent from the
ailerons so it could be kicked straight when landing crosswind in
canals or rivers. It could not touch down in a crab because it
might flip. Due to this, before certifying the airplane for EDO
floats, the CAA required a spin test. The plane was flown to
Arizona, in my recollection, and spun there. As the old EDO guy
said, the plane wouldn't come out of the spin (it was due to the
pendulum effect of the floats,) and the test pilot bailed out. I
don't know of any other Coupe that was flown with floats other than
that test airplane.
I'm sure that Photoshop didn't exist when those pictures were
published in "Touch of Class."
Syd
On Mar 9, 2010, at 4:18 PM, Bill Coons wrote:
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
