Why FTDK?
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Hey there PilotHTR
Sorry about the spelling, I just knew of it by name as spoken not the word spelled.
It features in the Documentary ONE SIX RIGHT.........and excellent DVD and a must buy for all of you!
J
PS Love your machine and the spelling corrected I hope!
Sorry about the spelling, I just knew of it by name as spoken not the word spelled.
It features in the Documentary ONE SIX RIGHT.........and excellent DVD and a must buy for all of you!
J
PS Love your machine and the spelling corrected I hope!
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Jaba, Corowa,
All in fun of course............it's s superb little aircraft.
Has it's quirks but they are all good ones
It was designed to be unspinnable by having both limited elevator up travel, and the aforementioned linked controls. Also has full-span ailerons (no flaps, no flaperons) so roll authority persists in a stall. Stalls around 40 kn IAS, just gently floats down at around 200 fpm descent (less than a cirrus BRS i believe??). Still the only certificated aircraft in the world carrying an FAA plaque on the dash saying "this aircraft characteristically unspinnable"
Controls are a standard yoke, but on the ground the yoke acts like a steering wheel via direct connection to front wheel. So on the ground you drive it like a car and in the air you fly it like a plane (although give me a control column any day!!)
The crosswind technique is as follows - once on the glideslope, maintain wings-level runway centreline approach in the crab. In a strong x-wind there may be touch of into-wind wing down. Keep the nose off and allow the mains to touch down. The combination trike/engine weight will swing the nose around onto runway heading. Then fairly briskly unload the elevator to get the nose wheel down and just steer 'er on down the strip. It's possible to get caught with the upwind wing lifting when the aircraft swings straight but if you're watching for it you can 'steer' into it.
Cruise at 90 knots, 15 lph. Seats two and we mostly fly with the canopy sides open (they slide retract into the side of the fuse).
I thinks there is Forney 'Aircoupe' around someplace in Aus. It's a much later model, produced after ERCO was bought. It's red and I've seen it here and there.
All in fun of course............it's s superb little aircraft.
Has it's quirks but they are all good ones
It was designed to be unspinnable by having both limited elevator up travel, and the aforementioned linked controls. Also has full-span ailerons (no flaps, no flaperons) so roll authority persists in a stall. Stalls around 40 kn IAS, just gently floats down at around 200 fpm descent (less than a cirrus BRS i believe??). Still the only certificated aircraft in the world carrying an FAA plaque on the dash saying "this aircraft characteristically unspinnable"
Controls are a standard yoke, but on the ground the yoke acts like a steering wheel via direct connection to front wheel. So on the ground you drive it like a car and in the air you fly it like a plane (although give me a control column any day!!)
The crosswind technique is as follows - once on the glideslope, maintain wings-level runway centreline approach in the crab. In a strong x-wind there may be touch of into-wind wing down. Keep the nose off and allow the mains to touch down. The combination trike/engine weight will swing the nose around onto runway heading. Then fairly briskly unload the elevator to get the nose wheel down and just steer 'er on down the strip. It's possible to get caught with the upwind wing lifting when the aircraft swings straight but if you're watching for it you can 'steer' into it.
Cruise at 90 knots, 15 lph. Seats two and we mostly fly with the canopy sides open (they slide retract into the side of the fuse).
I thinks there is Forney 'Aircoupe' around someplace in Aus. It's a much later model, produced after ERCO was bought. It's red and I've seen it here and there.
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Live in Taupiri, Waikato, work in the big smoke, New Zealand
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There's also a nice example of the 'Coupe that fronts up each year at the Walsh in Matamata ("Excellent" X-Ray Charlie). Can be seen on most evenings wafting around the waterfall or straifing trains...must be one of the only aircraft where you can cruise around all day with your arm out the window (like an HQ Holden)...even has the bench seat! Many a keen aviator has been type rated in that wee beast, myself included...one of aviation's many "unique experiences".
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http://www.pprune.org/forums/showpos...postcount=1665
Last edited by slackie; 24th Oct 2007 at 20:35.
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Tinpis,
Disregard of Operating Limitations contributed to fatal accident
ZK-FGA, Firth of Thames near the township of Kaiaua, 19 March 2004
A Civil Aviation Authority safety investigation has concluded that the pilot and crew member of a Fouga Magister aircraft died from injuries when the aircraft crashed into the water some 200 metres from the shore near to the township of Kaiaua at 10.16am on 19 March 2003.
Disregard of Operating Limitations contributed to fatal accident
ZK-FGA, Firth of Thames near the township of Kaiaua, 19 March 2004
A Civil Aviation Authority safety investigation has concluded that the pilot and crew member of a Fouga Magister aircraft died from injuries when the aircraft crashed into the water some 200 metres from the shore near to the township of Kaiaua at 10.16am on 19 March 2003.
Wheeler
That's what my LAME tells me. The FTDK had nothing U/S or suspect going in and nothing found during, so straight forward oil change, grease and inspection.
"BTW which has killed more Doctors the FTDK ... or the 210?"
Dunno, but the "Strutless Dr Killer" does not seem to have much of a reputation.
Dr
That's what my LAME tells me. The FTDK had nothing U/S or suspect going in and nothing found during, so straight forward oil change, grease and inspection.
"BTW which has killed more Doctors the FTDK ... or the 210?"
Dunno, but the "Strutless Dr Killer" does not seem to have much of a reputation.
Dr
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Fris. That is the one - I think they were doctors visiting from overseas or maybe interstate? Bonanza - Baron - same parents!
Had a ride in an Ercoupe in Asia many years ago. Once one got over the no rudder pedals thing, it was delightful to fly.
US$3 per hour - someone is older than me! Earliest I remember paying was £4/8/0 per hour ($8.80) dual in a Chipmunk.
Had a ride in an Ercoupe in Asia many years ago. Once one got over the no rudder pedals thing, it was delightful to fly.
US$3 per hour - someone is older than me!
Earliest I remember paying was £4/8/0 per hour ($8.80) dual in a Chipmunk.
