Are you in the market for a unique airplane? If so, let me introduce you to the Ercoupe. This plane is unlike any other with its strange features and operational characteristics.

One of the most notable features of the Ercoupe is its double rudder system, which is controlled by the yoke instead of rudder pedals. Additionally, the glass panels on the canopy can be slid open during flight for an open cockpit experience. While its performance may not be top-notch, the Ercoupe is easy to fly and has been approved by the government for special permits. If you’re looking for an affordable way to fly locally on nice days, the Ercoupe may be just what you need.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Ercoupe has a unique double rudder system controlled by the yoke.
Glass panels on the canopy can be slid open during flight for an open cockpit experience.
Ercoupe is an affordable way to fly locally on nice days.

Unique Features of Ercoupe

If you’re looking for a unique flying experience, the Ercoupe might just be the plane for you. This aircraft has some interesting features that set it apart from other planes.

Firstly, the Ercoupe has twice as many rudders as a regular plane, but no rudder pedals. The two rudders in the back are connected to the yoke, so when you apply aileron, the rudder also moves, supposedly creating a coordinated turn. Later models added rudder pedals, but steering is still done with the yoke, making it feel more like driving a car than flying a plane.

Another unique feature of the Ercoupe is the sliding glass panels that make up the canopy. These can be opened from the top and go down into the side of the fuselage, creating an open cockpit. This can even be done during flight, giving you a thrilling open-air experience.

While the Ercoupe’s performance may not be the best, its flying characteristics are excellent. The CAA even issued a special permit for two control airplanes, allowing people to fly an Ercoupe without a full pilot’s license.

If you’re interested in purchasing an Ercoupe, you’ll find that they are very affordable. Prices have remained low, and individual expenses are quite light. Hangar is the only cost that resembles an actual airplane expense, and annual maintenance isn’t expensive. However, you’ll want to nail down a shop before you buy as not everyone will service planes from the 1930s.

Overall, if you’re looking for a unique and affordable way to fly locally on nice days, the Ercoupe is definitely worth considering. With its open cockpit and interesting steering system, it’s sure to provide a thrilling flying experience.

Operational Characteristics

The Ercoupe is an aircraft with unique operational characteristics. It has twice as many rudders as a regular plane, but no rudder pedals. The two rudders in the back are connected to the yoke, so when you apply aileron, the rudder also moves, supposedly creating a coordinated turn. Later models added rudder pedals, but steering is still done with the yoke, making it feel like driving a car.

One of the coolest features of the Ercoupe is the glass panels that make up the canopy, which slide open from the top and go down into the side of the fuselage, creating an open cockpit. This can even be done during flight.

While the performance of the Ercoupe is quite poor, the flying characteristics are excellent. The CAA, the government body predating the FAA, said that the Ercoupe was incapable of spinning and issued a special permit for two control airplanes, which allowed people to fly an Ercoupe without a full pilot’s license.

If you’re shopping for an Ercoupe, you’ll find that they are very inexpensive, with quite a few of them out there and prices remaining low. The 415C and 415CD models qualify for light sport aircraft in the US and are a little more sought after and usually a little more expensive. Individual expenses are quite light, with the only cost resembling an actual airplane expense being the hangar. Annual and maintenance costs aren’t expensive, but you’ll want to nail down a shop before you buy, as not everyone will service planes from the 1930s.

The Ercoupe burns about five gallons an hour, and there have been several engines over the years, with one of the more popular ones being the Continental C85. It has a TBO of 1800 hours or 12 years, and if you fly the plane at least 40 hours a month, the TBO is increased to 2000. Overhaul costs about $18,000.

If your mission is to fly locally on nice days, the Ercoupe is an affordable way to do just that. Flying with the top down and your elbow hanging out the side is an appealing proposition. Heck, with no rudder pedals, you could even stick your feet out the window.

Government Approval

The Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA), the government body that preceded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued a special permit for two control airplanes that allowed people to fly an Ercoupe without a full pilot’s license. The CAA reported that the Ercoupe was incapable of spinning and that its flying characteristics were excellent.

If you’re interested in purchasing an Ercoupe, you’ll find that they are very inexpensive, with many available on the market. The 415c and 415cd models qualify for light sport aircraft in the US and are therefore more sought after and usually more expensive.

Individual expenses for the Ercoupe are quite light, with hangar costs being the only expense that resembles an actual airplane expense. Annual and maintenance costs are not expensive, but it is important to find a shop that will service planes from the 1930s before purchasing.

The Ercoupe burns about five gallons of fuel per hour, and there have been several engines used over the years. One of the more popular engines is the Continental C85, which has a TBO of 1800 hours or 12 years. The manual states that if you fly the plane at least 40 hours a month, the TBO is increased to 2000. Overhaul costs for the engine are about $18,000.

Overall, if your mission is to fly locally on nice days, the Ercoupe is an affordable way to do just that. With the glass panels that make up the canopy that can slide open from the top and go down into the side of the fuselage, creating an open cockpit, flying with the top down and your elbow hanging out the side is an appealing proposition.

Market Overview

If you’re looking for an affordable way to fly locally on nice days, the Ercoupe might just be what you need. Despite its odd name and unique design, the Ercoupe is a popular choice for pilots who enjoy flying with the top down and their elbow hanging out the side.

Although it has poor performance, the Ercoupe has excellent flying characteristics. The Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) even issued a special permit for two control airplanes, which allowed people to fly an Ercoupe without a full pilot’s license.

There are quite a few Ercoupes on the market, and prices have remained low. The 415C and 415CD models even qualify for light sport aircraft in the US, making them a little more sought after and usually a little more expensive.

While individual expenses are quite light, hangar costs are the only expense that resembles an actual airplane expense. Annual and maintenance costs aren’t expensive, but it’s important to nail down a shop before you buy, as not everyone will service planes from the 1930s.

The Ercoupe burns about five gallons an hour, and there have been several engines used in the plane over the years. One of the more popular engines is the Continental C85, which has a time between overhauls (TBO) of 1800 hours or 12 years. If you fly the plane at least 40 hours a month, the TBO is increased to 2000 hours. Overhaul costs for the engine are around $18,000.

Overall, the Ercoupe is a unique and affordable option for pilots who want to fly locally and enjoy an open cockpit experience.

Maintenance and Costs

If you’re looking to purchase an Ercoupe, you’ll be pleased to know that individual expenses are quite light. The only cost that resembles an actual airplane expense is the hangar. Annual and maintenance aren’t expensive, but you’ll want to nail down a shop before you buy. Not everyone will service planes from the 1930s.

It’s worth noting that there have been several engines in the Ercoupe over the years. One of the more popular ones is the Continental C85. It has a TBO of 1800 hours or 12 years, and the manual says that if you fly the plane at least 40 hours a month, the TBO is increased to 2000. Overhaul costs about $18,000.

The Ercoupe burns about five gallons an hour, and the 415C and 415CD models qualify for light sport aircraft in the US and are a little more sought after and usually a little more expensive.

Overall, if your mission is to fly locally on nice days, the Ercoupe is an affordable way to do just that. Flying with the top down and your elbow hanging out the side is an appealing proposition. Heck, with no rudder pedals, you could even stick your feet out the window.

Engine Specifications

The Ercoupe, also known as the Ercoupe, has had several engines over the years. One of the more popular engines is the Continental C85. The engine has a TBO of 1800 hours or 12 years. If you fly the plane at least 40 hours a month, the TBO is increased to 2000. The overhaul costs about $18,000.

The Ercoupe burns about 5 gallons of fuel per hour. While the performance is quite poor, the flying characteristics are excellent. The CAA, which was the Civil Aeronautics Authority, said that the Ercoupe was incapable of spinning and it was so easy to fly that they issued a special permit for two control airplanes which allowed people to fly an Ercoupe without a full pilot’s license.

If you’re shopping for an Ercoupe, you’ll find that they are very inexpensive. There are quite a few of them out there and prices have remained low. The 415C and the 415CD models qualify for Light Sport Aircraft in the US and so are a little more sought after and usually a little more expensive.

Individual expenses are quite light. Hangar is the only cost that resembles an actual airplane expense. Annual and maintenance aren’t expensive but you’ll want to nail down a shop before you buy. Not everyone will service planes from the 1930s.

Personal Experience

If you’re looking for a unique flying experience, the Ercoupe might be just what you’re looking for. The Ercoupe is a quirky airplane with twice as many rudders as a regular plane, but no rudder pedals. Instead, the two rudders in the back are connected to the yoke, so when you apply aileron, the rudder also moves, supposedly creating a coordinated turn.

While the flying characteristics are excellent, the performance is quite poor. However, the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) issued a special permit for two control airplanes, allowing people to fly an Ercoupe without a full pilot’s license.

One of the coolest features of the Ercoupe is the glass panels that make up the canopy. They slide open from the top and go down into the side of the fuselage, creating an open cockpit. This can even be done during flight, making for a thrilling experience.

If you’re interested in purchasing an Ercoupe, you’ll find that they are very inexpensive, with prices remaining low. The 415c and 415cd models qualify for light sport aircraft in the US and are a little more sought after and usually a little more expensive. Individual expenses are quite light, with hangar being the only cost that resembles an actual airplane expense. Annual and maintenance costs aren’t expensive, but it’s important to nail down a shop before you buy, as not everyone will service planes from the 1930s.

The Ercoupe burns about five gallons an hour, and there have been several engines used in the Ercoupe over the years. One of the more popular ones is the Continental C85, which has a TBO of 1800 hours or 12 years. The manual says that if you fly the plane at least 40 hours a month, the TBO is increased to 2000. Overhaul costs about $18,000.

Overall, if your mission is to fly locally on nice days, the Ercoupe is an affordable way to do just that. Flying with the top down and your elbow hanging out the side is an appealing proposition, and with no rudder pedals, you could even stick your feet out the window.