To achieve this he made it as automotive as possible, with the yoke
working
as a steering wheel on the ground, and the rudder pedals eliminated
completely. (The rudders are interconnected with the ailerons, and work
remarkably well at keeping the ball centered.)

So why didn't it catch on? In _Stick and Rudder_ Wolfgang regularly sings
its
praises, without actually naming it.

I think it's a bit too weird for most pilots to land in a crab. In a
cross-wind, without rudders you can't kick it straight, so you touch down in
a crab, which feels VERY strange the first few times you do it.

There's also the problem of not being able to cross-control/slip without
rudder pedals. If (for example) you're high on final approach in the
Ercoupe there's nothing you can do to correct it but retard the throttle.
If that's not enough to get your glide slope nailed, your only option is to
go around.

And, finally, it's sort of like asking why there are still manual
transmission cars on the road, when the automatic transmission has proven
itself to be superior in nearly all regards. Some people (myself included)
*like* to have full control of their vehicles, and that's what the rudder
pedals allow.

The nose-wheel/yoke connection sure makes a lot of sense though, doesn't it?
Ground steering with your feet never made/makes much sense to me.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"