Why I bought an ercoupe 415-c

Why i bought Ercoupe 415-c airplane! Quick little flight talking about why I purchased an airplane for time building. Many more adventures to come as I time build for the airlines. Join me on the journey.
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@somerisingsun / somerisingsun

[@terrallputnam7979]

I really loved Ercoupes as a kid. I liked the twin tails, the space age bubble canopy, and the sliding windows. I finally bought one three years ago, in Corpus Christy, TX. I am 60 years old and have not gotten to fly as pilot in command for 38 years. I wanted to get back into flying.

[@williamsaldanah3554]

I want one!!

[@1pjlewis2]

I would love to have one, but I like a high wing than a low wing. So 150 is my dream or a ercoupe would do. You did good you are living your dream. I am only wishing mine.

[@boogerwood]

100% agree with your thought process. Unfortunately, I decided to go dumb. I will not be going to the airlines, but my son plansto. So really, our mission was twofold. Pleasure flying for me and time building for him. Enter the 1959 Piper Comanche 250. Not exactly a low per hour cost. But it will give him a ton of time in complex and high-performance. And it’s freaking awesome to fly. More importantly, however, we have an absolute amazing time. When it’s not down for maintenance, of course lol. Thoroughly enjoying your channel. I am obsessed with the Ercoupe. Unfortunately, at 6‘3“ and north of 250 pounds, the Ercoupe is a bit cramped for myself. Though I dream of flying one someday.

[@risingsun_]

The Comanche is a great plane. I’ve got a lot of time in the twin Comanche. Sounds like you’re having fun with yours

[@randomstuff8257]

Very cool! I was fortunate enough to meet the designer of the Ercoupe, Fred Weick, when I was co-oping with Velocity Aircraft back in the 90s. He was fascinated by the molded composite method of construction, which of course was a far cry from the traditional aluminum methods used in the Ercoupe and Piper Cherokee (another one of his aircraft). Always loved Ercoupes, just something neat about them. Did you know they actually had one as a prize on The Price Is Right, along with flying lessons? You'd never see that today! LOL

[@risingsun_]

Very cool!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

*I ❤️ AIRCOUPES/ERCOUPES*

[@flyinggyros9745]

Excellent choice of airplanes. It’s a keeper even when you move on to something else.

[@markhubanks3715]

I've had my Ercoupe for 22 years and never regretted it. It's a great plane to fly. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to fly.

[@hotttt28]

Little book recommendation for you, fate is the hunter. By Ernest GANN!

[@coppi60]

Good explanation on why you bought an Ercoupe. I am glad to hear that you are falling in love with it. My wife and I have owned a 415C since 2016, and we have had a blast with it. She is also a pilot; we are both retired, jand it fits our mission to a tee. Have you watched any of James Good's videos?; if not, you should. Keep those videos coming.

[@MrSpraystarch]

Thanks for posting about the Ercoupe. I’m just getting started with getting my private pilot license. I’ve been looking/ saving for a plane to build up hours in and while I’ve been looking I came across the Ercoupe and fell in love with it. Thanks for posting the vids. It’s a really cool little plane.

[@risingsun_]

That’s awesome, it’s a great little plane! Hope your flight training goes smoothly and cheaply haha

[@michaelgill7248]

Great job on discussing the Ercoupe. Keep up the good work and good luck on your new career.

[@risingsun_]

Thank you!

[@robertgentry9436]

Ercoupes are awesome! Such a fun, unique and historically significant plane.

[@tinlizzie37]

Hi Mitch, Good luck on your quest to become an airline pilot. It's a long pow to hoe, but attainable. I have a few friends that have done it. Me. I only learned to fly for myself, no other big goals except to have fun, and realize my childhood dreams of flying. I was a small kid when world war two was raging, and all the news reels in the movies, had week old recaps of what was going on. Most of the news, was the air combat going on over Europe, and around the Pacific Theater. Airplanes galore, and that's all I seen the war as, a big aircraft battle. It wasn't until 1960, that I had the chance to fulfill my dream of flying. I was 23, and two friends and I went to a small airpark and took ground school, during the winter of 1960. The first thing I did, before any lessons, was to go take the written test, which I did pass some how. When I took my first flight lesson, I knew what some of the questions were asking on the test. I took to the air like a fledgling bird! I soloed in 8 hrs 20 min. and found out I could have soloed more than an hour prior. After getting 40 plus more hours, I went and got my license. After six mont5hs, my friend and I plus a doctor friend, bought a Boeing Stearman. Learned to fly the giant tail-dragger and put many hours on her. Gave every kid that came to watch airplanes, a ride. I was hanging around the airport daily, and got many free hours of flying. After a few years, I bought a Beech Bonanza 35. Took an airliner to Newark N.J. and flew it5 back, after being snowed in for a week . I did practice takeoffs and landings, and found the airplane very easy to handle and land. Had the Bonanza for about 18 years, and the Stearman for twenty, and was able to do many aerobatics with her! Did get into a Republic Sea Bee for a few years, and got much sea plane hours, (Over 200) but never got my rating . Did I enjoy my flying those twenty years, why hell yes ! Bob U, of N.E. Ohio !

[@lesnyd]

I’ve got 1600 hours in my coupe, N99340. I bought it at the end of 2004. There are so many unique features that most people don’t know about. I remember the first time I took off in the Ercoupe. I got up to nearly 90 mph before I figured out I had to make it fly by pulling back!

[@risingsun_]

Hahaha I would have loved to see that

[@daviddowd3764]

I love this aircraft, they are quite unusual as the control system. They fly great and are pretty tuff as well.

[@rikibruner2126]

Wow! Thank you for sharing your experience with this GA venue. I have recent;y been blessed with the need to go from SJC to Chiliquin OR. This might be a great way to make that transition. 🦊Riki2Tails

[@rikibruner2126]

Chiloquin OR is also known as CHZ.

[@williamleonard7097]

Good Luck. I haven't flown for many years. I'm on the other side of 75 now, but when i was flying and current the Ercoupe was my dream plane to own. I never fulfilled that dream. Sorry i missed out. Whenever i see an Ercoupe youtuber i always follow them and enjoy their adventures. I'm very happy for you.

[@risingsun_]

Thanks for sharing! I’m glad you can vicariously live through the dream through the videos!

[@coffee838]

i like high wings only when doubled lol

[@dieselguy62]

Absolutely love those planes. Honestly the only small plane I've ever thought about owning. And I'm surrounded by cool planes at my home

[@RobertLevitPhD]

Flown lots of different planes, but always loved the Ercoupe best. Pure flying.....restores the wonder of it all versus a technical concentration. Enjoy your time.

[@maryhines322]

If you're building time you don't care how fast it is, throttle back and burn less fuel. Also flying slowly has its own magic. The clock will still go at the same speed. When you're done with the plane you can sell it probably for the same if not more than you paid for it. Auto gas? The force is with you!

[@risingsun_]

Exactly! ;)

[@la_old_salt2241]

Yep, but I personally would never sale unless age or hard times came on. Just me, otherwise, too much fun.

[@clintonsmith9931]

Oh yes, they say you couldn’t loop the ercoupe or stall spin it . I saw it with my own eyes over the top of our farm house, along with other barnstorming tricks.

[@LA_HS]

Great video, new subscriber. Do you recommend the Erco as my first plane to build hours? also to do Cross country? I'm new private pilot. thank you

[@risingsun_]

I do recommend it as long as you understand this is a vintage plane and you’ll have to fix things as you go. However if you are going to keep building ratings I’d suggest getting something ifr certified

[@MarcusSkyVentures]

27 and changing career.. that’s me rn!!! Omg a different perspective. Now you’re giving me something to consider

[@risingsun_]

Definitely not too late to change just takes hard work to do it efficiently. I’ve got another video talking about buying a plane to time build, that might be helpful for you too. Rock on man

[@MarcusSkyVentures]

@@risingsun_ been watching your videos and you’ve given me a lot to thinking about lol i couldn’t sleep last night bc my brain was racing thinking about options haha I have my ppl already and considering different paths such as ATP, air National guard/reserves, or buy an airplane. All have their own sets of pros and cons 😅

[@risingsun_]

@@MarcusSkyVentures hahaha the amount of people I’ve made rethink is hilarious. The best piece of advice I can give is choose YOUR own path. So many people think their is one way (being get your ratings then go cfi until atp minimums). Nothing wrong with any path just pick yours and go with it! Best of luck to you!

[@clintonsmith9931]

My father bought a beautiful yellow and white one in the mid 50s. We lived in West Texas. He got it from Hutchinson flying service in Plainview, Texas. A man called Jarvis’s sold it to my dad. They had replaced the65 hp engine with a 85 hp engine. It was painted with his name on the side. Avril Smith. Then there was not requirement for radio in them. It had rudders installed also, the people in Plainview did that too. Later my older Brother worked for them and got his private license, air frame , and engine license there. My father sold the coupe in the mid 60s because of his health, he died at the age of54 of heart problems. My bro went on to get a instructor license, helicopter license and flew places around Texas, and Alaska. Even in Louisiana fighting fire ants in the 60s. He had great love for flying, they say the same for motorcycle riders. I rode with them only a few times because of a ear problem and any sudden up or down would make me sick. Great memories of my dad and friends hanger flying many years ago.

[@risingsun_]

Mine was also originally purchased from Hutchinson flight service and my ercoupe still has the original Hutchison badges on it!

[@andyandrews788]

Practice that centerline ;)

[@danielmccarthy7361]

What a machine- it is awesome, and I have lots of experience in it; It is impossible to have a bad landing in any kind of crosswind or getting into or out of short fields. You made a great decision- BTW, throw a net over your cargo. It could fly around in negative G.

[@risingsun_]

I’ve been more than tickled with it!

[@spikekavalench]

An Ercoupe was the first plane I owned. It always generated interest wherever it went.

[@risingsun_]

Im having a very similar experience haha

[@terrancestodolka4829]

One great small airplane... Good luck to you both and safety first so you can earn those hours...

[@froj.p6364]

Is it nice and quiet with the canopy half open like that? 6’3” thinking if my legs fit by head will be outside. Clown car style

[@EchoKilo]

Did it take a while to get used to no pedals? Crosswind landings would be tricky, I think.

[@risingsun_]

Crosswinds we’re a breeze. I did many 25kt direct cross winds with no issue

[@marshallpoe8087]

Are they considered a Light Sport aircraft?

[@risingsun_]

Depends on the ercoupe model. Mine was LSA

[@onepropmind]

Good to see another ercoupe up and flying often! N2687H

[@risingsun_]

Hard to resist flying it!

[@kittenslapper]

I dig it! Let’s make it fun!

[@Tharkunify]

I wish there were new ercoupes being built, even a kit would be nice.

[@hatman4818]

I got mine because in the inflated plane market, this particular ercoupe was the only plane near me being sold for preinflation prices (meaning I could actually afford it). The more I learn about it though, the more I dont regret it. Colorado is hot in the summers, cold in the winters, so I fully intend to use that convertible cabin to fly in more comfort than most small planes here. It gets windy here as well, so its ability to land in high crosswinds will be awesome too.

[@risingsun_]

Where abouts in Colorado? Just moved from Boulder not long ago

[@jimhilliard8135]

My uncle bought an Ercoupe in the early fifties while working with my dad in Yakima. Was a flight engineer on a B-25 in WW2. His flight instructor was Gini Richardson. He built time the exact same way. Good luck with your career.

[@risingsun_]

Thanks for sharing! That’s very interesting!

[@joewilliams4142]

I’ve owned #3226 for eight years. Still love it.

[@SCTV59]

Owned 99391 two years...JOY!

[@jimmydulin928]

Ercoupe was my first bought airplane. I taught high school at Tohatchi, NM north of Gallup on the Navajo Reservation and flew Huey med evac in the NMARNG out of Santa Fe. That was a five hour trip by road and less than two hours in the Coupe. It was a bank repossession and I paid the $1,350 owed. I had to stop every hour and a half to put oil in the high time engine. All your reasons are valid today as well.

[@Gingypilot]

Forgive me if you covered it elsewhere, but does yours have rudder pedals?

[@risingsun_]

Why would I need those? Haha just joking, but mine does not have them

[@jc18512]

Lots of good reasons to buy an ercoupe. Another reason : they’re a blast to fly. I love flying the one I fly have fun

[@fgap1]

Does this one have “rudder pedals” ?

[@risingsun_]

Nope 😄

[@727sky]

It is a great little aircraft as long as the FAA A. D.s do not eat you alive.. My family has owned several over the years. Dad stopped flying his at age 75 due to his eyes ... He loved the Ercoupe and I also thought they were fun and a cheap ride.

[@JamesGood]

Nice to hear your story!

[@risingsun_]

Cheers!

[@_OZAV_Intnl]

... why not be a fan of Pipers ? He probably meant, not-yet, a fan of Piper aircrafts :).

[@danielmccarthy7361]

It is like an elevator-Throttle forward, you go up, and pull back you land, anywhere- LOL

[@AaronHuffmanPerson]

I find myself in a very similar situation and am now looking at Ercoupe. Saving up for a few years first to get it done right and cost effective!

[@redbaron0949]

This has always been the most fascinating General Aviation aircraft in my opinion. They are becoming very rare.

[@risingsun_]

Rarer by the day, another reason I bought one now while they are still very affordable.

[@etxfpv598]

You can't use an Ercoupe for instrument training though right? You'd only be able to get VFR rating in it. Right?

[@risingsun_]

I’m not doing instrument in the coupe

[@etxfpv598]

So just building hours for commercial then? Maybe I need to watch your video again 🤦‍♂️. I probably missed your explanation. My bad

[@risingsun_]

@@etxfpv598 I’m using it to time build to ATP minimums, but it’s also helping me knock out requirements for ratings simultaneously.

[@billlindberg4334]

Congratulations on your AIR Coop. There's another fellow you'd like to watch James good with his AIR Coop 94805

[@risingsun_]

Thanks!

[@tomarmstrong1281]

"Flying is not cheap" the man said. It is also an addictive dream which has drained the bank balances of more folk you can shake a stick at. Some of have been fortunate enough to be in a financial position where we could spend tens of thousands of dollars without overstraining the bank balance. I did own my own aeroplane and went on to get all of the ratings. Good luck to anyone with the wit and the will to do the same. HOWEVER do look at the big picture and seriously consider what else are you risking besides money. That applies particularly to personal relationships. Good luck.

[@jhmcglynn]

I like the fuel quantity indicators, floats. I noticed a float on the cowling, 3 tanks? Does yours have rudder pedals? That would be a must have for me. BTW - you might look into an experimental. You can do your own maintenance although you’ll still need an A&P to do the annual unless you built it. Also, gas is the cheapest thing you can put in it. Hangar, insurance, and of course maintenance. You need to add all those to calculate your true hourly cost. Finally, you might try a Coast 2 Coast trip to build time. I did my 3rd C2C adventure in May - a little over 50 hours in my Cherokee 180. Meanwhile I’m flying a RANS S-19 Venterra that I built.

[@wesley9761]

2 9-gallon cross-connected wing tanks, one 6-gallon header tank between the instrument panel and the engine. The fuel pump keeps the header tank full. If the fuel pump should fail, the float will slowly go down, giving you a warning that you are running out of fuel. Had mine from 1968 to 1970. Loved flying it.

[@jamesburns2232]

You can log time in a hot air balloon, a hang glider, an ultralight, an LSA, or a Piper Cub, or an Ercoupe. It's still flying time. You can rack up 500 hours pretty quickly. Then you are well on your way to an airline pilot job. 🤠

[@jessrader4591]

You can log time in a balloon if that's the type rating you want, but you can't log time in a part 103 ultralight. Neither one will qualify as flight hours toward a fixed wing rating.

[@propertymanagement7011]

smart guy!

[@scottb5733]

It has been my experience when buying an airplane, if given good care and maintenance, you will recover your purchase price or more when you sell your bird.

[@JohnMphs]

What is that thing on the side of the plane on the left side. Some sort of tube...

[@risingsun_]

Stall horn :)

[@terrancestodolka4829]

That's😛 the horn...

[@freeinhimministries8907]

I think that is ther venturi tube. As air passes thru it it creates a low pressure that connects to your air gyro driven turn and bank and gyro horizon instruments. Modern gyro driven instruments are electrically driven.

[@robertborchert932]

Yes sir! It's a Venturi tube, the source of instrument vacuum, quite simple and dependable.

[@risingsun_]

@@robertborchert932 it’s the stall horn.

[@kevintaylor791]

In your reading, did you come across the part where they used Ercoupes to train 707 pilots how to do crosswind landings?

[@risingsun_]

No but that sounds super interesting!!

[@leemccready4652]

Hey thanks for your thoughts. I'm in a similar situation just a little behind you in the process and a decade older. Can you answer a few questions now that you're a few more months into ownership? Does your plane have rudder pedals? So you wish it did? How's the comfort level? I'm in 150's mostly and they kill my back and legs if I'm in them for more than an hour. Any unexpected expenses? Thanks again for the video and your comments.

[@risingsun_]

Hey, I’ll try to help. The Ercoupe has been a great investment for me! I’ve got about 250 hours in it which compared to renting vs what I’ve spent in gas/maintenance has saved me 36k. Mine does not have rudder pedals and in an Ercoupe you don’t want them, it wasn’t designed for them and flys better without them. Maintenance happens but nothing too crazy. It’s comfortable for me but I’m a small guy, id say it’s more comfy than a 150 but not as comfy as a 172 or piper. I would only ask what’s your mission with it? Just adding total time? Getting ratings? Etc.

[@leemccready4652]

@@risingsun_ Nice. You're racking up the time. I'm looking to just build about 500 hours while I pick up an instrument rating and get ready for a commercial checkride. Good to know it's better than a 150, but for me it doesn't take much.

[@musoseven8218]

I love em. Wish I could fly one sometime. Those fuel figures are microlight territory! How do you get on with the controls🤔🤔

[@stebecinc]

I like the Ercoupe

[@risingsun_]

Me too :)

[@kiltedmonkcustoms]

Great Plane! Was looking at a few. Does yours have the rudder pedals?

[@risingsun_]

I don’t have the rudder pedals, but pretty much everyone says they are very ineffective if you add them

[@coincidentalrvadventures2081]

If it isn’t too much to ask could you please add your radio work into your videos. I’m just starting to study for my sportsman’s certification. Although I’ve been a ham radio operator for ever the terminology is different.

[@yelyab1]

Does the plane have any bad habits compared to a 150? Such as stall recovery. I live in the Great Lakes area and not too many people fly low wing light aircraft, even though they don’t tend to flip upon emergency water landings. Does your fixed gear tend to cause a flip if you make an emergency landing on water?

[@erinyoungs965]

Thanks for posting. I am a student (40 hours) and tired of renting. Wanting a time builder. I found a 1946 Ercoupe 415-C with rudder pedals for a reasonable (cheap) price. Have you had any issues with yours that I should be aware of in purchasing one? They all appear to not have flaps. Is that correct? Is yours a 85hp?

[@risingsun_]

Ercoupe do not have flaps, and I do have the c85. I would make sure all the ads have been complied with and make sure the compression is in the 70s. I’ve had a couple issues with mine but it was due to the age of the parts on mine particularly. Nothing major

[@hatman4818]

I'd love it if ERCO had made a factory flaperon feature. It would have made the Ercoupe a bit of a STOL god with those full wing length ailerons.

[@pesawatindonesia]

woaa😁😁😁😁

[@ThomasTriesIt]

Is it more fun to take me flying?

[@risingsun_]

Bring it on papa

[@chetmyers7041]

Does this model qualify for a sport pilot?

[@risingsun_]

Yes it does, not all of the do but mine does qualify.

[@flynomo]

Took me 10 years to get to airlines. It is so weird to think that people can get to the airlines (with no experience). NOT saying that is overly bad, but safety is being somewhat compromised. The FAA is already adjusting training to try and be ahead of this.

[@nipponhouseplayer]

What cameras do you use ? Its excellent!! Safe Flights and Fun !

[@risingsun_]

Gopros, two hero 8s and a hero 9.