Flying to service ceiling in an Ercoupe (12,000ft?!)

[@fgap1]

You guys are the coolest (literally, as well - brrr). Kinda reminds me of”the good old days” (1969 - 74) when most airports had easy access for ALL, and flying was affordable for all as well. I’m 76, born in 1946. My first airplane was an Aeronca Champ (N84115). Your ‘Coupe has a registration number that would put it in line with the old Airknocker, which was also born the same year I was. …… Just a thought, although I feel like I’m 80 as well.

[@risingsun_]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@msmith53]

I’m 84 and remember seeing them at our local grass field airport! Amazing that they are still around???

[@kenthompson3730]

Enjoyed watching this again. I have a 416-C with the C85 Stroker engine and a 7148 prop, which gives me awesome climb. I’ve only taken mine up to 9500 one briefly. It got up their fairly quickly. I’ve done long cross countries at 8500. Love it up there!

[@msmith53]

I remember seeing an Ercoupe flown “backwards” in strong headwinds in the ‘40’s in the Midwest! Local airport had a grass runway!

[@KutWrite]

As I recall, Service Ceiling is the highest altitude at which you can maintain 100 FPM climb. I think you're closer to the Absolute Ceiling.

[@risingsun_]

You’re absolutely correct, just easier to say service as more people are familiar with service ceiling

[@dmc8078]

This is the way to be gentlemen! Get to know your airplane. Keep the videos coming.

[@risingsun_]

Cheers! Knowing your plane makes everything more fun and safer :)

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Really nice camera views. Keep the videos coming!

[@risingsun_]

Thanks! Cheers!!

[@randythorne4401]

The definition of the service ceiling is the height above sea level at which an aircraft with normal-rated load is unable to climb faster than 100 feet per minute under standard air conditions. A service ceiling is not really an absolute limit on the altitude that a particular design can achieve, but one at which the aircraft begins to run out of climb capability. The absolute altitude is a measure of how high an aircraft can climb, when it runs out of any further climb capability, under normal-rated load. Good job, each pane will have its own limit, and now you have a great reference for future cross country flights plus the feel of the plane when it gets to an altitude that it doesn't like.

[@KRayCrowe]

Yep. I did the same thing with mine. Yes they will do it. I have the 75 upgraded to 85 too. What you didn't cover is what happens to the crankcase temperature gage when you throttle back for descent. Did you look? I did and it scared the crap out of me. Started dropping faster than a clock second hand. I didn't want to trash my low time engine with massive thermal shock, so I reverted to decending 500ft intervals at a time and throttling back up for awhile to get it above 100F. I hope you saw that and took action. It took me longer to get down than get up there. I wouldn't do it too much if you want to get good life from that little Continental! There ain't no cowl flaps on am Ercoupe!

[@leeoldershaw956]

For climb you can use full throttle 100% of the time and lean for peak rpm above 5000. You can run those engines at redline continuously and above about 7000 you're below 75% power. I used to run a Continental 145 hp C 145 at 2700 above 8000 all the time.

[@michaelgill7248]

Very Cool! 😀Parden the pun.

[@risingsun_]

😂

[@stevenwomack9574]

That was amazing...

[@whynotlinde6983]

i love this channel please keeep doing it , thanks brothers

[@tankbootone]

Very cool 🎉Ihave a newly refurbished 415E with 100 hours in it. ILL have to try that out on my next x country.😂😂 bringing some OX and gloves

[@tonysclafani925]

Congratulations !! I had 415-C N94369. So close to your number. Great bird. Unfortunately, the guy I sold it to flew it into the side of a mountain. So sad for him and my bird. Be safe and have fun from Cali.

[@johnmckenna8989]

....I took mine to 12,100 feet.....1946 415C 'CF-RGD 75hp .... about 1982 over the Fraser Valley in B.C. Canada, the Fraser Valley is almost at sea level......Didn't stay in block airspace very long, for sure ...It was an impromptu decision during a brilliant morning flight to watch the sun come up over the mountains to the east, something I would do often, descending enough several times to watch the sunrise multiple times during one flight.....My manual had the service ceiling listed at 17,000 ft ...

[@davidhames319]

How much did you have to lean the mixture?

[@lynnkramer1211]

When crossing the Rockies from West to East there is considerable lift from the mountains. It is nothing to clear 13,000 ft. ridges by 1000 ft.

[@msmith53]

Oxygen??😮

[@terrallputnam7979]

This was cool to try out. My 1961 Forney F1A Aircoupe is still waiting for the annual to be signed off. Then maybe I can check mine out.

[@Franklin-pc3xd]

Is Aercoupe the plane with the rudderons - i.e. rudder control is linked to the stick/ailerons?

[@RyanMcDonald]

Enjoyed your flight. My Alon Aircoupe has a stated cieling of 20k. Not sure if it's realistic though. I've only ever taken it to about 9k.

[@risingsun_]

Thanks! Id be curious what it would do, 20k sounds a wee bit high haha

[@plank407]

Had mine up to 10,000. 415-C with C85.

[@kenthompson3730]

You mentioned you had a cruise prop. Specifically, what pitch? 7152?

[@Matt-no5qw]

got mine to 13,000 but it was early November and it was cold as I was in Portland OR, I topped out as I passed Mt Hood

[@coincidentalrvadventures2081]

Does the Ercoupe have heat in the cabin?

[@risingsun_]

It does, I won’t say it gets very warm though

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Starting at about 01:08 in this video: You managed to catch the shadow of your 'Coupe during climbout in the video...👍

[@niinjoosum]

LOL tried that once but it took so long I gave up, but good to know.

[@terrywilliams557]

Awesome thanks I have a 415-c Never been above 6000 I guess I’ll have to go on up lol

[@risingsun_]

Haha bring warm clothes 😂

[@kenthompson3730]

I have had mine up to 8500 and 9500 a couple of times. No problem getting up there in a cruise climb. I have the C85 Stroker with 7148 prop and Strom carb.

[@donshields4470]

How much time to get back down? Decent rate?

[@billykittner7128]

Is that the new replacement for the Stromberg carb ? From Aircraft Spruce.

[@risingsun_]

No, I had mine overhauled

[@terrallputnam7979]

When we drove up to the top of Pike's peak, we experienced oxygen deficiency and some loss of motor control. That is 14250' ASL.

[@hatman4818]

I'm glad you took a second guy up, and showed it was possible to get that high while that heavy. I recently got a C-75 Ercoupe to get my PPL in. I live in Colorado on the front range, and would love to do flights with friends to places like Aspen. But I'm keenly aware of the plane's limited engine performance, its ceiling lower than the peaks of the front range, and the gross weight limit. I am curious what engine you have, and how long it took you to climb to ceiling? Also, do you think a climb prop or a cruise prop would provide better performance near ceiling?

[@risingsun_]

I just moved from Boulder and am hoping to move back soon! I’ve tried to scheme a trip out there but am in the same boat being super aware of the limitations (especially when you start to factor DA in the equation)

[@risingsun_]

I have the c85 and cruise prop. It took around an hour to get to 9500 (from 100ft field elevation). That being said, I was running the engine at a lower rpm to keep the cylinder head temp down to preserve the life of my engine.

[@hatman4818]

I was planning on getting an individual cylinder temp setup going, but so I can lean the engine without destroying it. I read somewhere that leaning becomes more viable on the old carbs above 5,000 feet density altitude, but that you need to be careful about temps. Do you think preserving the engine with lower temps is cheaper in the long run than saving on fuel? I'm also probably going to try to get the C-75 to C-85 STC done before I try to take passengers through any mountains. I think the extra power will be worth it. Anyway, thanks for the info, I'm out in Commerce City, and got a hangar at Everitt, so if you do move back to Boulder, hit me up if you want, would be nice to pester someone local with technical questions, lol.

[@risingsun_]

@@hatman4818 I’d love to hang if I move back or even go fly if I make a trip that way. I’ve read the same info on the carb but I tend to lean anyways but cylinder temp always take priority over gas for me (and I’m trying to save as much money as possible since I’m working towards atp minimums). That said I am able to get 3.5 to 4.5 gph on average while keeping the cylinder head temp at 380-400. Usually the temp will reach 425-450 on initial climb from takeoff (I try to keep at as low as I can). Preserving the engine is the most important thing in my mind but it doesn’t mean you have to run super rich. I also use non-ethanol gas 70% of the time.

[@kenthompson3730]

Any thoughts or concerns about oxygen? How long were you above 10k MSL? It would be fun to test mine but I exercise my PPL as a Sport Pilot so cannot legally fly above 10k.

[@risingsun_]

Legally I don’t need oxygen unless over 12500 for 30 minutes so all good here

[@terrallputnam7979]

Does your coupe have rudder pedals?

[@risingsun_]

No it doesn’t. I have a set but they aren’t installed

[@hatman4818]

@risingsun_ Are you interested in selling your set? I'm looking to install rudder pedals in mine so I cna get an unrestricted PPL.

[@risingsun_]

@@hatman4818 I’m not, I’d like keep them

[@lynnkramer1211]

With your garmin 496, did you note the GS? TAS? etc.?

[@risingsun_]

I actually use ForeFlight with a sentry but gs was 60-65 IAS 65 vsi was 100-200 to 6000ft and was 25-100 tp 12000ft

[@TheRogerhill1234]

So, it kept going up because you were burning off fuel weight, I suppose, despite the crazy low rate of climb at lower altitudes.

[@N8844H]

Are you leaning in the climb? Makes a big difference, even in a 'Coupe.

[@risingsun_]

Always leaning for leak of peak

[@alphaadhito]

I don't know which one is more awesome, flying an Ercoupe to 12000 ft or wearing a beanie in Florida 😅

[@risingsun_]

Haha! A hard choice!

[@markhubanks3715]

I got mine up to 10000 ft. It took awhile.

[@terrancestodolka4829]

Wow! I got to admit this but most old guys we could not last that long up there. Or that long without a pit stop...

[@risingsun_]

My copilot needs a lot of pit stops 😂😂😂

[@SteveBull-tg8mi]

Probably would have made 12,000 easily with one person on board.

[@herbertjuliette762]

ᵖʳᵒᵐᵒˢᵐ 😬