Stanley G. Thomas

The world's first commercially-produced lightplane to be certified by the government as "characteristically incapable of spinning," the Ercoupe has a unique two-control system that solved the stall-spin problem plaguing lightplane manufacturers of the 1930s. Author Stanley Thomas takes you through this unique aircraft's entire 40-year career from the beginning of stall-spin research in 1930 to the rollout of the last version of the Ercoupe in 1970. As the first lightplane to be built en masse on an automobile-style production line and the first lightplane built with tricycle landing gear and a steerable nose-wheel. the Ercoupe was undoubtedly an important plane - one whose contributions to aviation and influence on aircraft design are still felt today. In The Ercoupe all the highlights of this classic airplane's history and numerous operational highlights are recalled, including riveting accounts of the Ercoupe's groundbreaking jet-assisted takeoff and the time a child with no pilot training took up an Ercoupe without incident. Adding to the book's value, Ercoupe designer and engineer Fred Weick granted the author complete access to his voluminous files, offered his personal recollections and observations, and wrote an enlightening Foreword for the book. With its unparalleled detail and impeccable sources The Ercoupe is an indispensable addition to the library of any classic aircraft enthusiast.… (meer)