This is the Ercoupe 415D as displayed in the College Park Aviation Museum. A testament to the legacy of innovatiove companies that set up shop around the airfield in the first half of the 20th century, it was built in Riverdale, MD. The Ercoupe was designed to be the plane that anyone could fly. The controls were simplified and many things like the control of the rudders were automated so that it could simply be steered and accelerated. To aid the plane’s simple steerability, the nosewheel of the plane and the engine with it (Correction made-see comment below) moved to the left or to the right. It was supposed to be stall proof and spin proof and slip proof.
In 1946, after the war, innovations in aviation could return to the private sector, and though it was designed before the war, this was one of those planes that fueled people’s rekindled dreams of personal aircraft for all who wanted one.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Tommy // Mar 18, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Couple of corrections:
The nose and engine of the airplane did not and does not move, only the nose wheel.
The aircraft was designed in 1937 and initial production was started in 1939. After WWII there were very few changes made to the airframe even though the type certificate changed hands numerous times.
It is estimated that there are about 2000 Ercoupes and its derivatives still flying. The bulk of which were built in 1946 – 47.
Its a beautiful amchine, thanks for giving it some publicity.
2 jeff // Mar 18, 2009 at 10:37 AM
No Problem. Thanks for commenting, I’ll be sure to correct my mistake.
3 bryanintimonium // Mar 18, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Is the plane named “Gerry”?
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