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| The origins of the Ercoupe date back to 1930 and a company called the Engineering and Research Corporation. The importance of this monoplane was its ergonomic simplification of flight control systems, with no separate rudder controls (unless specified by the customer). Early models had a fixed undercarriage, but were mostly
metal construction airframes. This simple design proved popular and many thousands were sold, particularly shortly after World War II. The Ercoupe was then often
marketed as Aircoupe or Forney Fornair. In 1963 Erco ceased trading, Alon took over the assets and launched an improved version designated Alon Model A-2 Ercoupe, which remained available until 1967 when Mooney acquired the company.
Robert Jackson "The Encyclopedia of Aircraft", 2004
| MODEL | Erco Model 415-E Ercoupe |
| CREW | 1 |
| PASSENGERS | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 x 85hp Continental C85-12 flat-four piston engine |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 635 kg | 1400 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 9.14 m | 30 ft 0 in |
| Length | 6.32 m | 21 ft 9 in |
| Height | 1.80 m | 6 ft 11 in |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 196 km/h | 122 mph |
| Cruise speed | 177 km/h | 110 mph |
| Ceiling | 3660 m | 12000 ft |
| Range | 724 km | 450 miles |
| Greg Bierck, e-mail, 21.01.2013 23:45 I have about 350 hours flying mine, currently in my museum, N99327, SN 1950. Quite a bit if fun to fly cheaply, as long as you didn't have to lift a lot and didn't mind being a bit cramped. Definately designed for two, 150 lb. occupants. Landing one can be scary at first, as one lands this airplane completely differently than taught. It will handle a large cross wind component. It was very simple to maintain. No flaps. The best glide path was simple to figure. Throw a brick out the window an follow it down. Many hours were flown topless or open cock pit. Really nice on hot days and really cold int he winter. It used 5 gallons an hour tops, and I usually tooled around in it at abouta little less than 90 MPH. reply | | Dan Bolle, e-mail, 01.12.2012 01:39 My Dad had one from 1958 to 1963. A dream to fly. Used to fly from Milwaukee to Washington Is on the tip of Door County Peninsula in WI for fishing. He sold it because Dad, Mon and I could not all fit anymore. Sure wish they had made a 4 seater, I think it would still be in production. Great plane!!! reply | | Klaatu83, e-mail, 13.11.2012 01:30 This is one of those airplanes that has been so good for so long that one can only wonder why they aren't still being made somewhere today. reply | | Scottb60, e-mail, 05.06.2012 06:12 A older gentleman bought a Mooney version of what we called the Barf-Cup and a Maule, that he had no idea how to fly them was beside the point.
I taught his wife how to fly the Barf-Cup but the owner pretty much gave up after one or two lessons, plenty of people willing to do the flying for him, for free and that was fine with him.
The Maule was pretty nice, when he had to break down and pay someone to fly it to get somewhere. His wife flew the Maule pretty well also, but he wouldn't fly with her without someone else. reply | |
| | D. Howerton, e-mail, 03.06.2012 23:43 You are some really lucky people to have flown and owned this marvelous little airplane. A retired AF helicopter and fixed wing pilot, I never had the pleasure, but I've admired the simple design of the Ercoupe since my childhood. Someone once said, "If an airplane looks good, it'll probably fly good." The Ercoupe sure looks fine to me. reply | | Mary Burkhead, e-mail, 30.04.2012 23:24 Family has N94352 purchased used Dec 46 by greandad. He flew it l000+ hrs. Claude jr flew it 1000+ hrs. Now son Claude III has flown over 1000 hours. We enjoy flying to visits in NC SC area every weekend to see our many friends reply | | Roger Carney, e-mail, 08.12.2011 23:10 I got my private pilot ticket at Purdue U. in 1953. The PP course was given in Cessna 140A's and Ercoupe's, the latter for all x-country requirments (tail #'s N94853 & N94758). Anybody know where thery are now? Loved that little plane. At age 78, I'm taking lessons for an LSA ticket in a CTLS. It's a challenge but great fun! reply | | john brier, e-mail, 18.09.2011 15:03 Just a wonderful little aircraft. I owned a 1958 Forney, but sold it after about 7 years. I have been through the C-172, Mooney M21, and now a Cardinal. But, recently bought a 1946 C model and will keep it till I am ready to go LSA. No finer aircraft to go into the "very golden" years!! reply | | Chuck Rosenfeld, e-mail, 16.08.2011 02:21 The Ercoupe is still a marvel of engineering, and mine continues to draw attention on the ramp after 65 years. We have a group of five Ercoupes which frequently participate in 'Young Eagle' flights where they are definitely the 'ride of choice' among the young participants... open cockpit and docile handling characeristics are ampond its more endearing features. reply | | Dave Burns, e-mail, 10.06.2011 20:16 I had a F1-a for 3 years. Crosswinds? Who cares! With s 40 mph direct crosswind doing touch and goes. One night going in to Van Nuys the tower advised 81 MPH gusts. Just keep the nose up off the ground till you hit runway. But dont let anyone say they get over 99 mph out of this ship. What a fun plane! Dave Burns reply | | Manuel Erickson, e-mail, 09.06.2011 22:42 The first airplane I owned was a 1946 Ercoupe. She was all-metal and designated as a CD. The serial number was 4664 and I flew my Private rating in her. Does anyone know how I can trace her whereabouts? Please email me at pilot80@shaw.ca. (The "80" in my email address represents the year I learned to fly.) Thanks very much! reply | | clark f gable, e-mail, 15.05.2011 03:35 I own a 1946 415-c. GREAT AIRPLANE,wILL KEEP IT TILL THE DAY i die. reply | | dick price, e-mail, 14.05.2011 01:32 i own NC28962, 1941 Ercoupe serial no 00058 which I believe is the earliest flying example or should I say the oldest one still REALLY flying..Sam Walton's is gorgeoous and hanging in the museum in Fayetteville Ark.
I have flown mine from Little Rock Ar. to Culebra Puerto Rico with one leg from Caicos /Turks to San juan about 400 miles over water, out of radio and radar contact...gets really lonesome, but she hummed along. using 3.8 gallons per hour at about 85 /90 mph. Hauling my rather ample butt, it will get off the ground (50 degrees F...full fuel, no wind) in 500 feet. That is the threshold length at 1M1 and it has won me plenty of bets. It has also never lost a crosswind landing duel. A steady 35 mph crosswind grounded every other plane at a Cincinnati flyin. She took off and landed 12 times with wind never UNDER 35.
65hp Continental, rag wings, stock ecept for c am and twin Eichmann mags w / impulse on both. Two stroks of fuel, four blades, ignition on and guranteed to start, pulled down with two fingers 1` /4 rev. reply | | Frank Hall, e-mail, 09.05.2011 10:29 Worked on and rebuilt a few of these things, Lots of interesting and innovative engineering as well as tricky little blunders in the design. The "C" model will be close to overweight with full tanks and no pilot, you certainly can't afford 6 ply tyres and metal skinning, one or the other. Serious corrosion probs on spar caps have written off very many as the job is horrendous to cure. Pretty little things, sort of a cult aeroplane though sometimes not spelled that way. reply | |
| | Vern Baisden, e-mail, 02.05.2011 22:24 Flew the Ercoupe 415-C, C85-12 in the 50s. Because of the 2 control system, it was a compromise. The nose wheel steering via the control, was a bear. It was an efficient performer. Fast cruise, low fuel cosumption. Cross wind landings were different, you landed in the crab angle and let the drag link landing gear take care of it. Liked the 360 degree visibility. reply | | BUD MITCHELL, e-mail, 26.04.2011 01:24 WOULD LOVE TO FIND ONE IF GOOD SHAPE AT A REASONABLE PRICE reply | | Michael Raab, e-mail, 14.04.2011 09:36 I am looking for the company Air Fab? Does anyone have any information on them. I have a baggage modification IAW Air Fab drawing #102. Has anyone else come across this baggage mod. reply | | Bill Wade, e-mail, 13.04.2011 19:51 You guys make me glad I just bought one, a 46 or 47 C with a 90hp Conti. Now I just need my sport pilot ticket. reply | | Bruce McKay, e-mail, 09.04.2011 00:02 I owned a couple of these. One with fabric wings and a rudder kit and one with metal wings. The rudder was good for a cross wind takeoff. It only moved one rudder outboard. Get the nose off and fly away. It also landed very nicely. Keep the speed up, point the nose where you want it, off with the power and plunk her down. Plant the nose and drive her away. Great machine. I think I paid $1500 for one and the other was $1000 including the mice nest in the back. Hello corrosion. reply | | wigida, e-mail, 25.03.2011 06:22 OOps! 2000kms of ocean!! reply |
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