Ercoupe

The Ercoupe, introduced in 1937 by the Engineering and Research Corporation (ERCO), was a pioneering light‑airplane designed to make personal flying as simple and safe as driving an automobile. Conceived by Fred Weick, a former NACA engineer, the aircraft incorporated several unconventional features aimed at eliminating the need for rudder input and reducing the risk of stalls. Its fully enclosed, low‑wing monoplane design used a gently tapered wing with a wide chord, a tricycle landing gear, and a 95‑horsepower Continental engine that drove two counter‑rotating propellers. The most distinctive element was the “linked” control system: a single control yoke simultaneously operated ailerons and rudders, while the aircraft’s built‑in stall‑preventer automatically reduced lift if the angle of attack grew too high. These innovations earned the Ercoupe the nickname “the airplane you could land without learning to fly.” Over 5,600 units were produced, and the model became a staple of flight‑training schools and private owners throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Its emphasis on safety and ease of operation influenced later general‑aviation designs and solidified ERCO’s legacy as a catalyst for democratizing aviation.

Engineering and Research Corporation

Classification

Design & Classification