Result speed Increase & Pedalless
January 2009
by Robert Rombouts, Belgium
The annual was 11 December 2008 without remarks, the intended changes was; new instruments (dashboard) and removing the rudder pedals, I was happy it was done and back in shape, it was not as easy as I thought.
Removing the pedals was a piece of cake, Hartmut Beil explained me very accurately how to do it. Now I have more room for my feet, because the central console on the floor for the cables was gone. It looks so empty, the brake is now the only pedal I have, wonderful.
Concerning the instruments; normally I needed more time, and could not do what I intended in the first layout.
- Removing the mechanical RPM with the driving cable to the motor, the two Venturies and the vacuum driven Artifical Horizon and Giro was easy, no special skill needed.
- Inserting the two new instruments was the electronic RPM and EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System), was not a piece of cake.Because the space between the dashboard and the front fuel tank is not so deep to fit new long instruments. Therefore, I had to accept some concessions; and moved what I can where I can in the existing holes. In the end, all the instruments must work properly. The tubes from the Pitot and Static were the most difficult. I consider to renew the dashboard with a proper layout, this is the next move.
The dashboard is ready and all functions are working well, on the ground. Because of all the changes, we had to weight the Ercoupe; now Empty weight is 876lbs, we have -20lbs with all the new instruments, but also the Centre of Gravity is more forward, perfect, I can wear heavy shoes.
I have to wait until the weather was flyable; VFR and preferably with no heavy crosswind, because this was my first flight without rudder pedals. The 15th January was the day, only the regulation of the EFIS compass, and then hop to Ostend. Blue sky, 90° crosswind – 12kts, was acceptable for me. With the run-up in Kortrijk, I had on my new electronic RPM a fault indication on one magneto. Therefore, taxi back and check, we found nothing. With the next run-up everything was ok; normal drop on the magnetos, ready to fly.
The takeoff was normal, nose in the wind as always, but it climbs as a rocket, with 75Mph I was climbing as never before, quickly at 1000ft, all the turns are so easy; “just turn the wheel”. I had a problem to find the right course to steer, that I have to learn. To play with the new instruments in flight was my intention, but when I call Ostend Approach, they inform me it was Special VFR in Ostend. I could not believe it because I was flying in the sunshine, therefore I aborted my flying around, and the playing with the instruments will be for later. Yes, it was less than 5000mtr visibility in Ostend, and could fly strait in, with a long final, on the axis of the runway in crab and the landing was very good. Hartmut Beil explained me how to do and I thank him for his advice.
Why do we need Rudder Pedals? Now I am convinced that Fred Weick is a genius, and I cannot understand why the Ercoupe is the only plane who use this coordinated Aileron and Rudder system.
Now I have to fly a lot to be able to land on small airfields, and calculate more accurately my course to steer.
ERCOUPES ARE WONDERFUL PLANES.
Regards, Robert
