Sport Pilot Talk

sellers_justin · Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Posts: 4 Location: KETN

I am new to aviation and will begin my sport pilot instruction next week. I have an ultimate goal to buy my own plane after completing my training. However, I have a hard time justifying 50-60k+ for a modern LSA. I will be doing my training in a 7AC Champ, and have considered buying something similar (Champ, T-Craft, Luscombe). I have noticed most conversation on this board gravitates toward newer more modern aircraft and just wanted to get some opinions on the older varieties.

Thanks

Justin

ArionAv8or · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 271

Like you I also wanted to own my own plane. The first plane I purchased was a 1946 Ercoupe 415c. She was an AWESOME plane that was a blast to fly, great on gas and made a wonderful stepping stone to a new more modern aircraft. It was great to go out on a hot summer day, burn about 5.0 gph, fly low and slow over Florida and do it all with the windows down. Imagine driving down to the beach on a beautiful day with the ragtop down. Now imagine the same thing at 2,500'! Some of the vintage aircraft are still a blast to fly, just ensure they have been maintained well and are safe to fly. Today I fly a 2010 Lightning LS-1 with all the bells and whistles and I would be lying if I said there weren't times I wish I could get back up in that old bird with the windows down and let the wind carry my worries away. The vintage airplanes just give you something you can't get anywhere else and the Ercoupes were a fantastic example of that. My first plane cost me 22K, a very minimal amount to get a great start on flying.

sellers_justin · Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Posts: 4 Location: KETN

Was your ercoupe with or without rudder pedals? I have been doing a little bit of research and just discovered that some do not have them how does that work? Yeah 22k is about the price range I'd like to stay in and there are plenty of vintage planes to be had at that price.

ArionAv8or · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 271

My Ercoupe had NO rudder pedals. I have done a 18 knot Xwind in her and it was a non-event. Probably the easiest Xwind landing plane you will ever find designed to land crabbed and straighten out upon landing, AWESOME once you get used it. They were designed to handle 25 Knots and I have heard rumors of 30, nothing like looking out the side window when landing, LOL. I loved to scare the hell out of instructors who had never landed in an Ercoupe before, you could watch them searching the floor with their feet when I would come in crabbed. NO flaps either so that is just one less thing to worry about. Stalling the plane is more like mushing the plane, they are also a non-event. With the Coupe every turn is a coordinated turn, nice and easy to fly and a lot of fun on a sunny day. I added a bubble windshield and a new Airtex interior to mine just before I sold her for 28K.

Barnstormers has quite a few listed so you can see what is out there. Just make sure they have never been STCd over the 1320 weight.
The C models were LSA compliant, unless they have been modified.
Some of the CDs were and some were not, check them carefully.
I don't believe any of the D models are LSA compliant.

Bill is an expert on the Coupes and I am sure he can answer what ever question you would have. You can also check out his site @ http://www.takeoffsareoptional.com/

Good luck on your search.

KSCessnaDriver · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 159 Location: KOJC

Truthfully, I wish there were more places that rented the older LSA complaint models. I've had an hour in a L-16 (militarized Champ), which is LSA compliant, but the school doesn't rent it solo. I'd love to get some time in an Ercoupe, but I don't seem to be able to find any around these parts. If I had the money, I'd looking at the Ercoupe and probably a T-Craft or Champ.

ArionAv8or · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 271

There is a place in Oklahoma named Chickashaw Wings where you can rent an Ercoupe 415C for $69.00 wet.

Check it out:

http://www.chickashawings.com/AircraftRental.html

sellers_justin · Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Posts: 4 Location: KETN

I checked out chickasha wings website they are only about a 2 hr drive from our lakehouse, would make a good day trip one weekend from the lake! I bookmarked their website so I can find it again after I get my license. That would be great to be able to rent one before I jumped into a purchase blindly.

dstclair · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 212 Location: Allen, TX

You might try out: http://www.fun2flytexas.com/ out of Lancaster, TX. Max Bolen has an Ercoupe. Haven't flown it but did my BFR with him last fall. Highly recommend him.

KLNC is a great little Dallas-area airport with a fun restaurant and the airport is also home to the dfw wing of the commemorative air force. Some great old warbirds to see.

Bill · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 96 Location: Delaware Beaches

Thanks for the "promotion" there, ArionAv8or. However I am not an "expert." But I do have one that is in really nice shape and, in fact, was flying it last evening just before sunset - with the windows down. I have thought about new and shiny - but this one is all mine (no payment book) - and I do love flying it.

Crosswind landing are, indeed, a non-event without rudder pedals. I am likely to be flying mine on some days out of our 2000' runway airport when the "breeze" keeps many of the other planes on the ground. The highest x-wind i have landed in was 22 KTS at 80 degrees across the runway. It was during my BFR flight in October, 2008. My CFI has over 1500 hours instructing in 172s and says he enjoys flying my 'Coupe for fun.

If you have any questions - just ask. And, if you ever get to Maryland I would be happy to take you for a flight. You may also be interested in checking out the Ercoupe Owners Club at http://www.Ercoupe.org and the Ercoupe Forum (they call it a forum but it is really one of those archaic Yahoo "groups") which does have a LOT of info. The real experts hang out there. Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ercoupe-tech/

flyboy2007 · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 79 Location: wisconsin

aeronca's are great flying planes. I myself have an aeronca chief and love it! No better flying around. It only does 85 or so but it doesn't get any more fun.[/img]

Bill · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 96 Location: Delaware Beaches

flyboy2007 wrote: aeronca's are great flying planes. I myself have an aeronca chief and love it! No better flying around. It only does 85 or so but it doesn't get any more fun.[/img] Ah, yes. I have quite a few hours (form a long time ago) in an Aeronca - great flying airplanes. I almost bought a fully restored chief a couple weeks before I bought my 'Coupe. The airframe was a total frame-up restoration and the price was right. But the day I showed up for a serious look these was a problem with one of the mags on runup - so I did NOT place an offer and/or a deposit. Then I test-flew the Ercoupe and bought it on the spot. I wish I could afford one of each of these "elderly" aircraft.

Maverick972 · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 5 Location: Dallas, TX

I am training in a Champ and had been activley looking for one. Just cant beat the seat of your pants stick and rudder feels. Happy feet, happy champ. :)