William (Lee) Carpenter submitted the following photo and note: “This 1946 Ercoupe 415-C had been locked up in a hangar for four years after the previous owner passed away in 2014. It is now my aircraft. I am in the cockpit. Taking it out for a stroll and some fresh air. It has a new annual and will be flown regularly.”
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I got MY introduction to GA back in the early 60’s as a young teenager in an Ercoupe. My hobby then was ham radio. A ham friend had one and invited me to fly with him one day out of Mitchell Field in Lombard, IL. (No longer exists). I still remember that thrilling ride … much akin to that of a EAA Young Eagle ride today. Already a BIG fan of watching Sky King on TV, it made a lasting impression on me which lasts to this day.
I went on to join the USAF, get my PPL in 1871 via the Aero Club system and went on to earn lots of advanced ratings that way, as well. Later, when I bought my own airplane, I realized I needed to get an A&P to be able to afford to own it. I did that over 40 years ago on my own.
Now snap forward to last evening when I was informed by the local FAA FAAST team Manager that I have been nominated for and will receive the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award at Sun-n-Fun 2019. Two years later, I hope to achieve the FAA Master Pilot award, as well.
All this because a friend took me for a ride in an Erco Ercoupe almost 60 years ago. What timing for a great picture like this to show up. Gorgeous airplane, Lee. WOW!
Oops … 1971 … I ain’t THAT old 🙂
Lol. Awesome News. Congrats
Wonderful story, Larry. Thanks for sharing.
My recent return to flying after almost four decades also involved an Ercoupe. I had gone with our local classic car club to a combination car cruise and EAA Fly-in. I was looking at the planes on the ramp and telling my car club buddy how much I had always loved Ercoupes.
At that moment, I looked up to see an Ercoupe in the pattern coming in for a landing.
I chatted with the Pilot for a while and then spent a long time looking over the plane.
I was smitten! I spent the next two weeks reading everything I could find online about Ercoupes, as well as how to get back into flying. I found a Sport Pilot CFI who owned an Ercoupe and got a couple hours dual with him.
I met a bunch of local pilots via a Facebook group called “Houston Area Aviators” and started getting invites for lunch runs. This gave me quite a bit of stick time which helped knock the rust off. At one such lunch I met the area AOPA rep who invited me to fly with him to San Antonio to attend a Rusty Pilot seminar, which he was conducting.
Not too long afterward, I got my medical and my BFR.
THEN I bought an Ercoupe.
It’s been a real journey!
Good for you, too, Ken. The Ercoupe is a great little putt-putt that won’t break your piggy bank and will bring you many hours of enjoyment. Welcome back to the fold.
Congratulations, Lee Carpenter. That’s a beautiful Ercoupe. As an Ercoupe owner myself, I know how proud you must be.
I hope you’ll join us the Ercoupe Owners Club (Ercoupe.org) and our Facebook page: Ercoupe Owners and Enthusiasts.
Cheers!
Ken Thompson
Bellville TX