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David departed just before us, in his gorgeous Stearman.



Too bad I was shooting (stills and video) into the sun on the way over, but the purpose of the form-up was for David's uncle to shoot some HD video from the chopper. Can't wait to see some really good video of the Bird Dog sporting my nose art!






9N1 is always a good place to see classic airplanes... this nice Ercoupe was one of many fine airplanes that stopped by.






A Jet Ranger showed up, too... did a good job of clearing away the fallen leaves.





Bob gave a few rides in the Loach, including James A., who is also a heli pilot and was keen to try it out.

Grrrr

I would love to visit 9N1 47N some day. It seems to really be a friendly and sociable airport. You're lucky to have such an airport

EDIT:
Why I said 9N1, I don't know

I would love to visit 9N1 47N some day. It seems to really be a friendly and sociable airport. You're lucky to have such an airport

EDIT:
Why I said 9N1, I don't know

Well, the photos in this post are from 9N1... it's an even cooler planespotter's hangout than 47N.

http://vansantairport.com/

Very nice Ercoupe Sean, it looks as if that one has the rudder conversion kit.

Nice to see some rotary aircraft as well....

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

The Ercoupe - an aeroplane so good looking that look like it could have been designed by the British!

Cracking shots. I'm not jealous in the least!

Very nice Ercoupe Sean, it looks as if that one has the rudder conversion kit.

Okay, I'll bite... how can you tell it has the rudder conversion kit?  :-?

Hi Sean...

Well looking at the picture it looks to me the aircraft which is an Eroupe and not an Aircoupe does have rudders.  Now if it has rudders there had to be a rudder conversion because the original Ercoupe had no rudder pedals

Oops maybe I am second guessing myself because I can't remember whether there were rudders which operated in conjunction with the aileron controls as there were no rudder pedals.  Dam now I can't remember.   ;D

I do remember that the Alon Aircoupes differed from the original Ercoupe because they had rudder pedals with limited movement.  The canopy on the Alon Aircoupes was a sliding canopy not windows that slide up and down as your aircraft shows.  (starboard side)  I believe the Ercoupe had a 75hp versus the larger 90hp of the Aircoupe.

To answer your question I took it because I think there are rudders on the aircraft but not quite sure now whether the original Ercoupe had rudders or not that operated with the aileron controls. I do know rudder conversions were installed when folks did majors, paint jobs or modifications to their aeroplane.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Hi Sean...

Just got off the phone with a friend of mine from the bugsmasher flying club and he said that the ERCO (Engineering and Research Corporation) Ercoupe did have rudders but they worked in conjunction with the ailerons.

He also corrected me about the engine, the original Ercoupe was a 65hp and not a 75hp.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Hi Sean...

Just got off the phone with a friend of mine from the bugsmasher flying club and he said that the ERCO (Engineering and Research Corporation) Ercoupe did have rudders but they worked in conjunction with the ailerons.

He also corrected me about the engine, the original Ercoupe was a 65hp and not a 75hp.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Aha! So you don't have X-ray vision...   ;D

Actually, I though maybe you could see where some external linkage was missing or something. 

The conversion (which has been done many times to Ercoupes of all vintages) is simple enough... I think the cables and pulleys from the ailerons to the rudder horns are removed, and they are simply connected in the usual way to aftermarket rudder pedals. Supposedly makes it more fun (you can slip!) but with the basic design and the very effective trailing-link mains, it is simply not necessary, even in a stiff crosswind.

But either way, to coordinate turns, the rudders have to move somehow.

You should know by now that all airplanes with the horizontal stab at the "wrong" end need moving rudders, however they might be moved. 

Into the corner with you, with your copy of Langeweische's book (where all that is explained).

And take a look at most of Burt Rutan's canard-equipped designs... there's a vertical stab, but no rudder.

Hi Sean...

Sorry no x- ray vision and the old grey matter is starting to forget things me thinks.

I am not sure for certain but something tells me they did come out with a four seater.

There must be some links about where I can do a little research.
I have the book "Stick and Rudder" somewhere here and I do believe it was written by the above author Mr. Langeweische.

Yes Burt has come out with some fine fine designs and I have spoke with him on several visits to the Oshkosh Wisconsin Airshow on several occasions.

I am not sure for certain but something tells me they did come out with a four seater.

Hmmm... never heard of that, but who knows? It would have needed a lot more power... even the final versions of the 'coupe were not exactly known for their climb rate. 
But if you add RATO... then you've got something!

Guess what the first airframe fitted with boosters was (in the US)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JATO

Good morning all...

Nice site Sean and I found several other interesting sites and they did produce a four (4) seater but apparently only one (1).

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug