1st European Ercoupe Fly-In
19-20 May 2007
by Robert Rombouts, Belgium
I am happy to report we had in Antwerp (Belgium) our first European Ercoupe Fly-In the 19-20 May 2007. Because I made a list of the still flying Coupes in Europe it was easy to mail and invited them all to come to EBAW or Antwerp. Also I was very lucky that the 17th Stampe & Vertongen Fly-In organized by Mr. Danny Cabooter the president, Mr. Dirk Buytaert, president of the A.S.A., Mr. Bob Rongé and all the members of the Antwerp Society of Antwerp vzw allow the Ercoupes to join them for this two days.
I express all my thanks and gratitude for the kind integration in their perfect organization for this event. Also I had to mention that most of the Ercoupes are now 60 years and my OO-PUS from 1947 had her birthday, this was also a reason to make a good meeting. In addition during 1947/48 a Belgium company INTAIR imported and assembled some 35 Coupes in Antwerp, what means a return to the home base.
Saturday 19th we had beautiful cavok weather, the first Ercoupe arrived at 11:05 D-EOPI (415C) owners Peter and Anke Nobmann from Bremen, Germany, fly time 2 hrs 40 min. I was so happy to see them that I had tears in my eyes. Afterwards G-ARHB owners Keith Peacock and Sidney Turner arrived from Earls Colne (UK) also a 2 hrs. 30 min. flying with their wonderful yellow Forney 1A. Next arrival around 11:30 was the SE-BFX (415D) owner Sven- Erik-Pira. He was the “Lindbergh” of the fly-in 13 hrs. 15 min. flying with a few stops. From Sweden to Germany next Holland and arrived finally in Antwerp, “Congratulation Sven-Erik”. Exactly 80 years ago, Lindbergh went off from New York on May 20, 1927 with his spirit of St. Louis, so our Swedish friend made the commemoration, a coincident. The last Ercoupe G-AVIL or VX147 (A-2) owners David and Pam Hulks came from Lashenden (UK) in 2 hrs. A Mooney M10 with registration N9516V owner Vincent Oomen is based in Antwerp and was also invited. He intends to sell his plane. The OO-PUS (415D), my bird, I needed only 45 min. from Ostend to join Antwerp.
In our Royal Antwerp Aviation Club (RAAC) rumors was getting around that if 3 Ercoupes will stand on the tarmac I will be lucky. After sitting two or more hours in the Coupe you need a nice Belgian beer, what we did with a long chat, we all are proud to belong in the Erco family. In the evening we had a nice BBQ, which is tradition, with three lovely singing girls as musical background, again organized by our SV4 friends who know how to do, thank you. At the hotel we had a last drink and ready for a good sleep.
Because the meteo expect a front coming from France and getting closer we rush out on Sunday morning to make flight plans and refueling. The traditional SV4 formation (12 wonderful SV4) flew over the city of Antwerp at 10:00, still in the blue sky. The same weekend was also a Chip meet with Chipmunk, what else, on a nearby airfield 10 min. fly from Antwerp. They also did a nice fly over Antwerp.
Then suddenly after this display, all the Ercoupes vanish back in the air (where they belong) to rejoin their home bases. Everybody arrive safe and well back home, head wind to England and tail wind to Germany.See you soon Ercoupers, Peter & Anke, Keith & Sid, Sven-Erik, David & Pam, Vincent.
Future Plans...
The first experience of a meeting in Antwerp, Belgium taught me that we have to think about some Fly-Ins in different places. Europe is not like the USA, we have to talk and to listen always on the radio, avoid a lot of Restricted, Prohibited, Danger and big CTR's zones. Because for light planes on not international airfields we have in the UK, Belgium and Holland all our radio communications in English but in France it is French or difficult English and in Germany it is German and English. In addition to go to the UK we must cross the Channel, only 25 min. in an Ercoupe. I like to fly over water because there are no restrictions, but some UK friends don't do it, so I came to the conclusion that we have to make an UK meeting, a German one and a Belgium.
Our next meeting will be in the UK (North Weald the 16th-17th June) with Tony Smith as host. I will contact all
the flying Coupes to join this meeting and hoping we will get 10 or more Erco's together.
Regards, Robert