2nd European Ercoupe Fly-In
3-4 May 2008
by Robert Rombouts, Belgium
All the Ercoupers would like to thank A.S.C. president Mr.Danny Cabooter,
the president of the Aviation Society of Antwerp Mr. Dirk Buytaert, and all
the A.S.A. members who, as volunteers, did a wonderful job to ensure a
real success of this 18th SV4 and 2nd Ercoupe Fly In.
Under an unbelievable blue sky we held our 2nd European Ercoupe
Owners meeting. We expected a lot of Coupes; this was a good
reason to take our planes out of the dusty hangars after a long
period of bad weather and meet other Coupers with the same passion.This year trophies were awarded to the longest flight and for the oldest
Ercoupe. Each pilot and co-pilot received a commemorating medal
and a neck key hanger with the inscription “ERCOUPE LOVER”. In
addition all Coupes received one full tank of fuel, and pilots and crew
a free BBQ and drinks. In my opinion it was a fair offer for EEO’s who
like to fly with their lovely plane.With open arms I welcome at 11:20 hr our Ercoupe Lindbergh, Sven-Eric Pira
with his SE-BFX who flew solo from the middle of Sweden to Antwerp in about
9 hours. He came also to the 1st Fly In last year. It was fascinating to see his
b eautiful plane polished as a mirror and shining under a tropical sun as it
rolled onto the apron.Then it was an all day waiting and no other ERCOUPES, so we went back to the hotel to refresh ourselves before the BBQ. When we returned to the airport we had a BIG surprise - a third Ercoupe was standing on the apron, N3330H had arrived from Schönhagen (Berlin) at 18:00 hr, with Harmut & Rainer Beil doing the trip in 5 hours with a stop in Bielefeld.
This ‘Coupe is also finished with wonderful nice polish too, and is of course in perfect technical condition, you cannot expect something else from Hartmut. We had also the visit of our friendly European Ercoupe pope Tony Smith and his wife Anne to comment all the incoming planes with the characteristics, type and dates. He is a real Ercoupe Lover.During the BBQ with a nice wine, we had the trophy distribution. The longest flight was not so difficult to decide, Sven-Eric Pira was undoubted the star of the all Fly In. For the oldest ‘Coupe, Hartmut Beil’s with serial number 3955 was the oldest of our three planes.
In the hotel, we had a last good cold beer to let us sleep well and dream about all the discussions and airplanes we had enjoyed during the day. We received lots of good advice about the technical side of our lovely Ercoupes from Hartmut. Sven-Eric brought a lot of old files and brochures from the Erco Company, dated 1946-1947, a real historical treasure.
The following day, Sunday, with a blue sky and a gentle western wind Hartmut and Rainer departure around 13:00hr and Sven-Eric one hour later. Both arrived home safely and enjoyed their flight, Hartmut in about 4:30 hr flight and Sven-Eric was the same day, a little in the dark already in Sweden he told me.
I’m hoping, dear friends that you enjoyed this Fly In as I did; we had this year high quality and a low quantity but we don’t give up, next year we will have the 3th Meeting.
Next year the Fly In will be in September 2009 instead of May, to coincide with the 100th Anniversary of Aviation in Antwerp.
I feel sorry for Keith Peacock and Sid Turner that their G-ARHB was not ready and still waiting for parts; David Hulks had a similar problem with his G-AVIL. Thank you for informing me in time.We have to realise that we are flying with a modern looking historical plane, and always have to take in account technical problems and it becomes more and more difficult to find spare parts.
You can find photos of the 2nd EEO Fly In on my website www.ercoupe-be.net/fly2/index.htm OR http://groups.msn.com/Ercoupe/2ndeeoflyin34may2008.msnw .
Sending them by mail will be too long to load.See you next year Sven-Eric, Hartmut, Rainer, Tony and Anne, or why not at the next Meeting in the UK at North Weald June 21-22. Thanks for coming to Antwerp.
Regards, Robert
