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En route
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Direct cost
Fuel cost
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About the Ercoupe 415
Type certificated 1940 Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet
Overview
The Ercoupe 415 is a two-seat, low-wing light monoplane from the early era of “everyman” aviation, and this record represents the postwar 415-C, the mass-produced version powered by the 85 hp Continental C-85 (an upgrade from the original 65 hp A-65 and the 75 hp C-75). Its defining trait is a deliberately spin-resistant, two-control design: the rudder and ailerons are interconnected and the original layout has no rudder pedals, so the airplane is flown with the control wheel alone and resists stalls and spins by design.
That safety-first philosophy made the Ercoupe a favorite for low-time pilots and remains the type’s signature today. The design has a long lineage, built by ERCO in 1940-41 and again after the war through 1950, then revived by Forney, Sanders, Alon, and finally Mooney across the following two decades.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- Spin-resistant handling. The interconnected two-control design is forgiving for new and returning pilots and resists the stall-spin accident by design.
- Low operating cost. Roughly 5 to 6 gallons an hour behind a simple, well-supported Continental, for a DOC near $59/hr.
- Legacy light-sport eligible. At 1,260 lb gross, two seats, fixed gear, and a fixed-pitch propeller, the 415-C can be flown on a Sport Pilot certificate.
- Simple, honest systems. No retractable gear and no constant-speed propeller, with an active owners’ community for parts and knowledge.
Trade-offs
- Modest useful load. Around 448 lb, so a full-fuel cabin is genuinely two people with little room for baggage.
- Unfamiliar control feel. The two-control technique and interconnected rudder take acclimatization, and crosswind landings use a distinctive flat, crab-and-touchdown method.
- Greenhouse canopy. The sliding bubble canopy is part of the charm but can make the cabin warm on sunny days.
- Variant-specific support. The C-85 conversion and some airframe parts are sourced through the type club and specialists rather than off the shelf.
See Also
- Aeronca 11 Chief – the fabric side-by-side contemporary on the 65 hp A-65: similar economy, conventional controls and a taildragger stance. Compare
- Luscombe 8 – the all-metal two-seat rival: crisper and more durable skin, conventional stick-and-rudder, tailwheel. Compare
- Taylorcraft BC – another postwar side-by-side lightplane on similar power, lighter on the controls. Compare
- Globe GC-1 Swift – the sportier all-metal two-seater: retractable gear and more speed, at higher cost and complexity. Compare
- Piper J-3 Cub – the tandem trainer benchmark of the era: stronger resale and cachet, but conventional gear and fore-aft seating. Compare
Technical Specifications
Dimensions & Weights
- Height
- 6 ft
- Length
- 21 ft
- Parking area (ft²2)
- 1,032 ft²
- Max Takeoff Weight
- Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 1,260 lbs
- Max Landing Weight
- 1,260 lbs
- Useful Load
- Source: third-party reference 448 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 14 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- Source: third-party reference 89 KTAS
- Never-Exceed (VNE)
- Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 125 KIAS
- Max Structural Cruise (VNO)
- Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 104 KIAS
- Approach Speed
- Estimated/derived; not a published figure 55 KIAS
- Stall, Clean (VS1)
- Source: third-party reference 42 KIAS
- Range
- Source: third-party reference 205 NM
- Service Ceiling
- Source: third-party reference 13,000 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 550 fpm
Engine
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Sources
Where the figures on this page come from. Ercoupe 415 specifications are traced to published references; estimated values are flagged inline next to the figure.
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