Tim's ERCOUPE Page

The original name was derived from the name of the company, ERCO, which stood for Engineering and Research Corporation. When later companies manufactured the plane, it was called the Aircoupe. Designed by Fred Weick and a small team, the Ercoupe was the first plane to incorporate much of the original research that Weick performed as the assistant chief of the NACA aerodynamics division. These new features include the inability to be held in a spin, the tricycle landing gear to improve landing and take-off safety, the Wlly cowled engine, and a control system in which the rudders are linked to the ailerons to simplify controlling the airplane. All these features were invented by Fred Weick and his team.

Ercoupes/Aircoupes carry up to about 500-550 lbs useful load and fly from 100-114 mph burning from 4.5- 5.5 gallons of fuel per hour. The Ercoupe 415-C and CD have a maximum gross weight of 1260 lbs and were built from 1940-1947. The Ercoupe 415-D, E & G have a maximum gross weight of 1400 lbs and were built from 1947-1950. They fly about 100-108 mph. The Forney F-1 and F-lA, Alon A-2, Mooney A-2-A Alon Cadet and Mooney M-10 Cadet versions all have a gross weight of 1450 lbs. They fly about 105-114 mph.

Forney Aircoupes were made from 1958-1959, Alon made planes from 1965-1967, Mooney made the A-2-A (Alon style) Cadet in 1968 and the Mooney M-1.0 Cadet (with a "Mooney" tail) was made from 1969-1970.

SPECS