ERCO Ercoupe (N3282H)

According to the FAA this plane was built in 1946 by ERCOUPE, not Mooney.

Who ever built it, for that low power machine to get into and out of Smiley Creek (7,206 MSL) is impressive.

The best flying machine. Simple, safe and economical operation.

I had an Ercoupe (LV-RPR) for many years and it gave me many satisfactions.

This is an ERCO Ercoupe, not a Mooney...by the way the Mooney M-10 is not an Aircoupe or an Ercoupe. It was a highly modified version of the Alon Aircoupe. The Aircoupes that Mooney built were A2-A's.

My dad once told me (about 50 years ago) that the Ercoupe did not have rudder pedals. That the rudders were controlled by the wheel in coordination with the ailerons. Any truth to that??

Who makes the great decisions on WHAT you have on display? Surely an ERCO Ercoupe. Yes, NO rudder pedals. Great old airplane anyhow. I recently "lost" a leg .....guess this would be my "next" airplane, IF I ever bought another?

While in the USAF at Carswell AFB, Texas, 1962, we had three with Rudder & Steering kids installed. I took my initial and Solo Check ride in one them. A great aircraft to learn in an fly !! Quite different from the B-58 Hustlers I was Crew Chief on !!

The is the first airplane type my parents bought just after WW2 in San Diego. I had a few flights in it before they upgraded to a Navion that would carry the whole family. Cute plane.

ERcoupe. ER stands for Engineering and Research. Front wheel was on caster for cross-wind landings. Ground steering was done by the control wheel (in place of yoke) that was tethered to the nose wheel. My friend had one, and i believe he told me the company was in Maryland.

love the reflective skin showing off the landscape.

Smiley Creek has plenty of room to get off the ground. Service Ceiling is nominally 11,000 ft. with the original 85hp Continental. So just do not expect to hurry anywhere. Design goal here was basic transportation. Cross-wind landings discouraged.