1946 ERCO Ercoupe 415D
The Ercoupe was manufactured by the Engineering and Research Corporation (ERCO) in nearby Riverdale, MD, to be spin-proof, stall-proof, and slip-proof.
It was marketed as simple, safe, and easy to learn and fly. The Ercoupe was designed by noted aeronautical engineer Fred E. Weick and tested at College Park Airport. It was a complete departure from the traditional airplane design of the day, and was often referred to as “the plane that anyone could fly.”
Specs
Year: 1946
Capacity: One pilot, one passenger
Empty weight: 845 pounds
Wingspan: 30ft.
Length: 20 ft. 9 in.
Maximum speed: 117 mph
Engine: Continental A-85 85 HP
"The plane anyone could fly"
The Ercoupe was manufactured by the Engineering and Research Corporation (ERCO) in nearby Riverdale, MD, to be spin-proof, stall-proof, and slip-proof. It was marketed as simple, safe, and easy to learn and fly. The Ercoupe was designed by noted aeronautical engineer Fred E. Weick and tested at College Park Airport. It was a complete departure from the traditional airplane design of the day, and was often referred to as “the plane that anyone could fly.”
The Ercoupe was an innovative aircraft. This unique plane has no rudder pedals. Instead, the rudders are linked to the ailerons, preventing the problem of spins. A spin is when an airplane enters an uncontrolled, downward spiral that requires several counterintuitive steps to stop before the plane crashes.
The Ercoupe also has a collar on the control column to limit elevator movement, helping to prevent stalls. Stalls occur when enough airspeed is lost that the wings no longer provide lift to keep the plane airborne. They commonly occur when pilots attempt to ascend too quickly. Limiting the elevator movement reduces the pilot’s ability to stall the airplane. The split tail, or “twin tail” or “H” tail, was a popular World War II design. Splitting the tail and placing it outside the prop blast also eliminated a major source of torque, and gave more control to the rudder at low speeds and when taxiing.
The half Ercoupe 415C, N99182, which is missing parts of its fuselage and wings, shows the distinctive lack of rudder pedals.
The first experimental model of the Ercoupe was flown at College Park Airport in 1937. Limited production began in 1940, but World War II interrupted mass production until 1946. Only 12 aircraft were delivered before World War II halted production.
During the war, Ercoupes were used in flight instruction in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and by the Civil Air Patrol to patrol for German submarines.
After the war, production resumed, and at its peak the ERCO factory was turning out 34 Ercoupes per day. The aircraft was marketed as an everyman’s airplane and advertised and produced through unconventional outlets, like Macy’s department store. However, within a few years, sales slumped and in 1947, ERCO sold its remaining Erocupe inventory to Sanders Aviation. It continued to be sold to varios aircraft corporations, ending with Univair Aircraft Corporation of America in 1974. They do not produce new aircraft but continue to supply parts and assistance to Ercoupe owners. There is still a loyal following of Ercoupe aviators today.
Our Ercoupe
Yes, this Ercoupe is on loan from the Gravatt Family. It was purchased by Andrew Gravatt and restored by the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum before being loaned to the museum.
The half Ercoupe 415C N99182 was donated to the museum in 1996 by John Winchester of Virginia.
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