Ercoupe, The Awesome Aircraft

Although no new Ercoupes have been produced since 1970, many spare parts are still available. Univair has owned the type certificate since 1974 for all Ercoupe models, and continues to produce parts as well as provide technical assistance to Ercoupe owners. Ercoupe owners also enjoy an active type club that helps to organize and efficiently distribute updated information about their aircraft.

Renewed interest in the older models of the Ercoupe, the 415-C and the 415-CD, has been sparked by its status as the only existing, certified tricycle-geared aircraft that meets the FAA's new light-sport aircraft definition. This enables it to be piloted by holders of a sport pilot certificate.

"Sport Pilot" used to mean any pilot who flew any type of aircraft for sport, with or without training or license. But the United States Federal Aviation Administration (or FAA) has recently redefined the term "sport pilot" to be applied to the new light sport aircraft airmen's certificate for which training and a certain amount of solo flying time are required.

Light sport aircrafts include parachutes for parasailing, hang gliders, and trikes -- in other words, aircraft that rely on their human sport pilot's physical power, athletic ability and expertise rather than a mechanical engine, which the aircraft may or may not have. They are also easy to transport by car or truck, and expensive hangars aren't necessary.

Those who wish to become sport pilots find that flying light sport aircraft are safe and affordable and that the necessary training is quick and easy. After learning the techniques and dynamics of being airborne from a qualified flight instruction school - such as takeoff, turning and landing - you can be flying solo and progress to longer and higher flights in just a few days. There are many sport pilot training or club organizations around the world to assist you and help you find friends to fly with.

Although there is relatively low risk involved with flying most light sport aircraft, safety is of the utmost importance to the sport pilot. A good training program will have instilled in a prospective sports pilot the habit of properly preparing and exercising good judgment, especially in terms of the weather conditions that he or she will be flying in. The most important decision you as a sport pilot will start with is what type of flying fits your lifestyle and what type of aircraft will do it for you. The next is finding a certified training program to meet your needs.

The "sport pilot certificate" varies from existing private pilot certificates significantly including:

Requires only 20 hours of total flight time as compared to 40 hours for private pilot.
Limits sport pilots to flying low performance airplanes: maximum weight 1320 lbs, maximum stall speed 45 knots, maximum speed 120 knots, fixed landing gear, and a fixed pitch propeller.

The objective is to make the thrill, satisfaction, and excitement of aviation available to more people by reducing the complexity and cost.

You must also PASS 2 FAA tests:

1) FAA PILOT KNOWLEDGE TEST consisting of 40 multiple choice questions covering:

Applicable regulations that relate to sport pilot privileges, limits, and flight operations.

Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Use of the applicable portions of the aeronautical information manual and FAA advisory circulars.

Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems as appropriate.

Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts.

Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence.

Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance.

Weight and balance computations.

Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems.

Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques, as applicable.

Aeronautical decision making and risk management.
Preflight actions that include:

How to get information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements.

How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or if you encounter delays.

2)FAA PRACTICAL TEST where you fly with a FAA designated pilot examiner to demonstrate you are a safe and competent pilot by performing the following pilot maneuvers:

Preflight preparation.
Preflight procedures.
Airport operations where applicable.
Takeoffs , landings, and go-arounds.
Performance maneuvers.
Ground reference maneuvers.
Navigation.
Slow flight.
Stalls.
Emergency Operations.
Post-flight procedures.