Looking at an old Ercoupe today...

On 2008-05-15, Jay Honeck wrote:
Any Ercoupe experts out there? Whuddya think?

I'm not an Ercoupe expert...but I'd recommend looking VERY closely at the
spars, which are reported to have serious problems with intergranular
corrosion. Aside from that, it's probably a good airplane.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
Fairmont, MN (FRM) (Yes, that's me!)
AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (ordered 17 March, delivery 2 June)

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
newskYWj.110933$TT4.34154@attbi_s22...


Current owner says he's got $28K invested. He's talking $21K. We're
thinking (pending inspection) maybe it's worth $18K.

Any Ercoupe experts out there? Whuddya think?

You should probably offer him the $18K before the inspection, pending the
outcome. He may think he's already giving you $7K and will balk at another
$3K. I did when something similar happened to me.

You should probably offer him the $18K before the inspection, pending the
outcome. He may think he's already giving you $7K and will balk at another
$3K. I did when something similar happened to me.

Spent several hours tearing it apart this afternoon. Lots of little things
wrong, but no deal-killers.

Compressions are good, and -- most importantly -- when they metalized the
wings they zinc-chromated the spar and all the ribs, so there is no
corrosion. The current owner started a complete restoration back in '02,
replaced or repaired many critical parts (landing gear donuts, tires,
top-end overhaul, new interior, new instruments, new glass) and then lost
interest.

It's great to be partnered with my A&P. It sure lends confidence when
you're looking at a 62 year old plane...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:

Current owner says he's got $28K invested. He's talking $21K. We're
thinking (pending inspection) maybe it's worth $18K.

Any Ercoupe experts out there? Whuddya think?

Not an Ercoupe expert but I heard that the LSA complaint C models have
seen a bump in value over the last few years as should be expected.

You know though with the three of you working on it you could probably
build a brand new 601XL from a quick build kit during the summer. for
about the same price.

Jay Honeck wrote:

- Luggage compartment enlargement STC

One other thing I noticed. Is that STC the same one that increased the
MGW of the plane? If so it screws up the LSA compliance.

On May 15, 9:07 am, "Jay Honeck" wrote:

- All-metal wings (all ADs complied with)

I've seen airplanes with a list of "ADs complied with" and on
further investigation I find that many were missed and others not done
properly. The Ercoupe has its share of ADs and some of them are pretty
serious.

Go here and type "Ercoupe" into the Search line for a list:
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Gu...e?OpenFrameSet

That'll get you plenty of stuff to check on the airplane and also
see if they're in the records as having been done. As well, remember
that the engine and various accessories like fuel pumps, carbs,
magnetos and so forth all might have ADs against them. Some of this
stuff can come as an expensive surprise after purchase.

Dan

Jay,

Why don't you just build a Kitfox? They burn 5gph and can go 110mph.
They are a lot better looking than an old Ercoupe, and the visibility
with plexiglass doors and turtledeck is awesome...

My friend has a Kitfox 7A that we flew to Oshkosh last year. It was
a long flight, but was fun nonetheless. For local flying or short
trips it is a great little plane.

Dean

Why don't you just build a Kitfox? They burn 5gph and can go 110mph.
They are a lot better looking than an old Ercoupe, and the visibility
with plexiglass doors and turtledeck is awesome...

Whoa, dude -- a Kitfox is better looking than a classic old Ercoupe?

That's just...wrong. An Ercoupe looks like a cross between a
Constellation, a P-38, and a VW bug. It's just....cool!

We're gonna make an offer on it in the next couple of days....
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On May 16, 7:32*pm, "Jay Honeck" wrote:
Why don't you just build a Kitfox? *They burn 5gph and can go 110mph.
They are a lot better looking than an old Ercoupe, and the visibility
with plexiglass doors and turtledeck is awesome...

Whoa, dude -- a Kitfox is better looking than a classic old Ercoupe?

That's just...wrong. * An Ercoupe looks like a cross between a
Constellation, a P-38, and a VW bug. *It's just....cool!

We're gonna make an offer on it in the next couple of days....
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

I have always thought they look pretty ugly myself. An Ercoupe
doesn't look anywhere near as nice as a P-38 or a Connie.

I have always thought they look pretty ugly myself. An Ercoupe
doesn't look anywhere near as nice as a P-38 or a Connie.

Well, it's got two tails and a canopy. And a mighty 85 horsepower
Continental!

:-)

3.8 gallons per hour, baby. That's what I'm talkin' about. (Atlas burns 25
gph at full throttle...) Hell, flying it will actually SAVE me money!
(Heh, heh, heh.)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"