I’m a sucker for how polished aluminum looks, but keeping it looking that way is like signing up for a part time job that doesn’t pay any money. That said, there’s a *huge* difference in overhaul times there. I’d go for the 27 SMOH every single time.
I owned an Ercoupe for a while and it’s a great plane. Either one looks great. A tad on the high side for the coupe but I’d probably go with the first once as it’s a new engine essentially. However his comments on the engine driven fuel pump is a moot point as the engine driven pump all it does is take gas from the wing tanks to the nose tank (which gravity feeds the engine) if the engine driven pump stops you’ll see the nose tank start to go down and will still have an hour of gas to go. If you have any questions on it feel free to message me
This! Everyone I've spoken to that has a polished aluminum finish complains that it's not worth all the extra work. Get the painted one if that is the deciding factor!
Both look good on the surface, for ercoupes useful load is the big thing.
A thorough prebuy by someone who knows them really well is essential. Center section corrosion is a killer and, while I love them, they are antique airplanes at this point and caring for an antique airplane has to be a labor of love. The good news is that Univair owns the TC and parts are pretty available.
As for building time in one, if you had 15 hours in an ercoupe, 1000 hours in a 172 and 5000 hours in a CRJ guess which time any interviewer is going to ask about ;)
Hey! I know the polished one! As far as ercoupes go, it’s an incredible plane. The bottom of the plane is painted to ease the polishing. Also, I think they paid around 500 bucks to have a pro do a touch up polish of the whole thing. If you have questions about it, I might be able to help.
An ercoupe isn't an absolutely horrible time builder but it's a little more unique of an airplane to actually own just being what it is.
So if we compare you buying these or say another similar airframe. The ercoupe is going to be a little bit more work for you and more expensive to operate. That's just how "vintage"/classic/whatever you want to call them airplanes are.
Ercoupe does have a fantastic owners club. It is absolutely worth it to get a membership and go through all the"tech help" forums and see what other people have dealt with. I'd highly suggest spending a weekend there before you buy either of these.
What I'm trying to say here is at 19, I think you would be happier in something like a short wing piper. Something you can fly, and take care of relativity quickly. An ercoupe, especially a polished one, is more for the recent retiree who has nothing to do and actually wants to spend all his time at the airport farting around on his plane.
I actually love pipers and did all my training in them but I am Unfortunately starting to get priced out of them with low end being 80k and decent examples 100k plus at 30k I could buy and invest another 20 in it. That said tho im desperate for a plane so if I can reasonably afford or take care of it then I will just stay planeless for now.
Being desperate isn't a good starting position, don't be desperate. Nothing worse than a time builder you can't fly because you're waiting 6 months for parts and can't find someone experienced on them.
80k is a hell of a nice tripacer or colt. I'd think you could find one with old but good fabric and a half time engine for like 40k but I haven't looked in a while. Even a c150 but I'd choose the tripacer.
Not that there's anything wrong with the ercoupe. Have you flown in one? Like I wouldn't really describe it as fun to fly but to each their own.
No worries.
Maybe the ercoupe is your perfect plane man. I don't know you, only you know what kinda flying you want to do and if this is the best platform.
I will say you are in a buyer's market as far as airplanes go. Lots for sale, you should have options.
Look under the wings, check if there are multiple inspection plates installed, the STC to check for corrosion.
No multiple inspection plates, you will have to do it, and hope there's no corrosion .
Also, on many, water has or goes down the inside slot where the bottom of canopy meets the fuselage. Corrodes the main spar.
Get an inspection by an ame familiar with 80 year old Ercoupes.
They are a lot of fun to bomb around in, but less comfortable than a twenty year newer C 150 . The 85 hp Ercoupe runs full rich , little more fuel.
Which of course have their own issues, but makes a more robust , useful trainer.
I was right seat in a 48 Ercoupe, owner wanted aerial photos 120 miles south. Because we were stupid, landed for coffee, blue sky sunny wx, didn't check forecast well enough , we came home last 40 miles in a thunderstorm . Heavy turbulence, rain, lightning.
Landed in variable 25 gusting 40, heavy rain....kept airspeed high.
The Ercoupe is better than a C 150 in heavy winds, solid handling , but...of course...don't fly in heavy winds.
Buy the painted newer one , between these two.
I have no interest in maintaining a polished airplane. Paint is for less work. Personally, I'm more comfortable with a mid-time engine than someone else's "fresh" overhaul. 27SMOH tells me nothing about the "overhaul." Was it done by a reputable shop or a shade tree mechanic? Is there a warranty on that work? Will the warranty transfer to you when you buy it?
I don’t view an electric pump as safer than a mechanical fuel pump. I've been flying 23 years, never had a mechanical pump crap out on me. I've had multiple electrical failures of different flavors, though.
Do you have access to a hangar already? If not, how's availability near you? Being able to buy a plane that lets you skip the line for hangars is a huge advantage.
Good finds. I miss Ercoupe shopping!
If you’re very low time, be wary of very low SMOH. There’s value there but also a much higher risk of problems that soon after maintenance.
At the end of the day, it's hard to opine from a listing, you need a thorough hands-on inspection of the plane and books. But if you are abbrand new pilot, I would advise you not to get an Ercoupe, you would end up picking up counterproductive habits (no rudder), unless you also fly other types very often
Has the C model been STC’d to have rudder pedals? If not that’s a deal breaker for me. Not a fan of timebuilding in a place that doesn’t reinforce good stick and rudder habits.
E models came with rudders from the factory.
Personally if you’re looking at that much total investment, I think you’d be better off buying a 150. Better resale and much easier maintenance support.
The polished one. Better resale value when you are done. But....if the hanger could be had on either one I would go with the 1st one. If no hanger then the second one.
Get the one with the hangar. We were shopping for an Archer when the 180 we bought came with the hangar since it was in a LLC and we bought the LLC. 5-8 year wait for a hangar at the field so it was worth buying, my wife getting her PPL and then if we decide to move on we have a hangar.
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Younger pilot here looking to build hours while im also in school,
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