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| STANDARD DATA (Aircoupe): Seats: 2; Gross weight: 1,450 lbs.; Empty weight: 930 lbs.; Fuel capacity: 25 gals.: Engine: 90 hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top speed: 129 mph; Cruise speed: 114 mph; Stall speed: 48 mph; Initial climb rate: 640 fpm; Range: 615 nm; Service ceiling: 17,300 ft.; Takeoff run: 540 ft.; Landing roll: 350 ft. STANDARD DATA (Ercoupe): Seats: 2; Gross weight: 1,400 lbs.; Empty weight; 838 lbs.; Fuel capacity: 25 gals.; Engine: 85 hp Continental. STANDARD DATA (Mooney Cadet): Seats: 2; Gross weight: 1,450 lbs.; Empty weight: 950 lbs.; Fuel capacity: 24 gal.; Engine: 90 hp Continental. |
In the late 1930s, the Ercoupe was designed as a stall-proof, spin-proof airplane that had no rudder pedals. An interconnection between the ailerons and limited-travel rudders made flying the Ercoupe as easy as steering a car. Prevention of stalls was accomplished by blocking elevator travel before stall angle was achieved. Dubbed the Model 415, the low-wing two-seater was produced between 1937 and World War II. None of the twin-tailed models were built during the war, but production resumed in 1945 with models 41 SE, F and G appearing between 1947 and 1949. Finally, in 1951, production ceased, but in 1955, Fornaire Aircraft resurrected the Ercoupe calling it the F-I Aircoupe. Air Products took over production between 1960 and 1962, and then it passed to Alon Aircraft in 1964.
Alon called its airplane---still virtually unchanged from the original Ercoupe---the Aircoupe A-2. The Alon version did, however, have rudder pedals and a modified landing gear, which on some models is a backward- bending, spring-steel gear leg rather than an oleo strut. The Alon A-2 also featured a blown sliding-bubble canopy instead of the lift-up type fitted on earlier models. Alon Aircoupes had extremely attractive upholstery, and all flight gauges were shock-mounted on a floating subpanel in front of the pilot. Dual toe brakes were standard, operated by a bar running across and above the rudder pedals. Alon wasn't the end of the line for the Ercoupe; Mooney Aircraft purchased the Aircoupe rights in 1968, changed the double tail to a single tail, and sold the airplane with as the Mooney Cadet. The A-2 Cadet and MIO Cadet were produced until 1970, when Mooney sold out to Aerostar.
The Ercoupe is one of the best deals on the used market. Check out some of the otherCheapest Planes In The Sky.
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