Ercoupe – Aircraft of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

This months aircraft is the ERCO Ercoupe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ERCO_Ercoupe

On my commute to work I listen to a lot of audio books on Audible, the current book I’m on is Sam Walton made in America (the auto biography of the man who started Walmart)

I was surprised to  how much of a role general aviation played in his success in building one of the largest and most profitable companies on the planet. He got his pilots license and the first aircraft he bought for business travel  was a Ercoupe N2278H

He not  only used general aviation as a faster and more efficient commuting method to check in on his stores he also used it as aerial scouting for new sites for stores decades before internet sites like google earth / maps and real estate sites.

Another connection to the Ercoupe is Fred Weick, who deigned this aircraft for ERCO in 1936. Fred later went on to Piper Aircraft in Vero Beach where he went on to be the lead designer in the Cherokee series. I worked at the same plant from 2005 – 2008 on many of his designs.

Ercoupe’s are still a viable & low cost option today for general aviation. Airworthy examples can be found below $20K

https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?make=ERCOUPE&s-type=aircraft

https://www.barnstormers.com/listing.php?catid=20352

For the RC community Outerzone has a bunch of options:

https://outerzone.co.uk/search/results.asp?keyword=ercoupe

Many of these are from the 40’s-60′ and original designed for free flight but with today’s modern electric motors and micro servos they could easily become RC aircraft.

#AD

 

 

 

The Ultimate Drone Hack – Video Share of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

This months video share is from Trent Palmer’s YouTube Channel.

Conventional gimbal systems for selfie sticks don’t do too well with the 50 mph + range of a bush plane, Trent used his DJI Inspire with the props off strapped to the lift struts of his KitFox to utilize the Inspires camera & gimbal system that can handle the air speed on a bush plane platform.

I would highly recommend Trent’s channel, it has some of the highest quality & most compelling Aviation content on YouTube.

While its not a huge market this looks like an excellent entrepreneurial endeavor to create a gimbal system rated for general aviation aircraft at GoPro level prices serving the market between the weaker systems and the ultra high cost cinematography systems.

#AD

Yaesu FTA-750L Handheld VHF Transceiver – Product of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

 

 

 

 

 

The FTA 550 offers Low cost solution to Aircraft communication and navigation.

The FTA 750 adds GPS functionality

Version 2.04 NEW FEATURES
  • Updated Backlight Lamp Timer settings OFF / CONTINUOUS / 5 / 10 / 30 / 60 / 120 / 300 seconds
Version 2.00 NEW FEATURES
  • Updated the Memory Book to include eight customizable Memory Groups
  • Updated Scan Band selection
  • “ALL BAND” scans both COM and NAV bands between 108.00MHz and 136.975MHz
  • “COM BAND” scans the COM band between 118.00MHz and 136.975MHz
  • “NAV BAND” scans the NAV band between 108.000MHz and 117.975 MHz
  • Added the ability to Add/Edit/Delete memory book information in NAVI mode (FTA-750L only)
  • Added channel frequency to waypoint information in NAVI mode (FTA-750L only)

The YAESU FTA-750L Combines tradition with innovation. Born from a history of high quality communications the FTA-750L now includes a 66 channel GPS receiver for reliable navigation. Boasting an oversize full dot matrix LCD display, the FTA-750L Airband Transceiver / GPS provides full communication on the Aircraft communications Band and additionally provides VOR and ILS navigation features on the “NAV” band, and waypoint navigation with the built in GPS receiver. The FTA-750L includes NOAA weather band monitoring and the capability of programming up to 200 memory channels with a quick and easy channel recall feature. The brand new easy to operate menu system is icon driven making it simple to navigate through all of the powerful features this transceiver / GPS has to offer. Additionally the FTA-750L can easily be reprogrammed in minutes using the optional PC Programming software and the supplied USB programming cable.

Features
• 5 Watts TX Output Power
• Huge 1.7” x 1.7” Full-Dot Matrix Display (160 x 160 dots)
• ILS Navigation Display (Localizer and Glide Slope)
• VOR Navigation Display
• Easy to operate menu system
• Integrated 66 Channel WAAS GPS receiver
• Waypoint Navigation
• GPS Position Logging
• NOAA Weather Channel Receive (U.S.A. Version Only)
• NOAA Weather Alert (U.S.A. Version Only)
• 200 Memory Channels with 15 alphanumeric characters
• Back-lit Keypad and Display
• Water Protection – IPX5 Rating
• Loud Audio (800 mW)
• High-Capacity Li-Ion Battery Pack (7.4 V 1800 mAh)
• Alkaline Battery Tray (AA x 6)

 

#AD

Quickie – Aircraft of the month

/ Spencer Gould

This months aircraft is the Quickie, Q2 & Q200.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_Quickie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quickie_Aircraft

One of my EAA chapter 203 friends & former co-worker Kevin Sheely built one and has been flying it for years. The craftsmanship is immaculate and many of the design features are very unique. You can read more about his aircraft on the chapter 203 web site, formatting of this page you have to scroll about half way down before it starts.

http://eaa203.com/quickie_q200.htm

I’ve also seen a single seat version built and flown buy a very thin man under the age of 20.

Surprisingly the EAA web site does not have a page dedicated to the Quickie?

The original Quickie was designed by Burt Rutan in the 70’s. Gene Sheehan & Tom Jewett created a 2 seat-er based on Rutan’s work. The original company is gone however quick heads has taken up the support for the aircraft.

The aircraft is very compact (like Pitts Special compact) while being very fast and fuel efficient.

http://www.quickheads.com/

You can still buy plans for both the single seat & 2 seat versions on the site at low cost. The kit version had a pre-molded fuselage, with plans its built from templates.  Quickheads also offers CNC cut foam cores and hardware packages.

Now for some videos:

There are some RC options as well for the Quickie.

1982 RCM plan for the single seat-er from outerzone with a 55″ W.S.

QAC Quickie (oz8746) by Ray Jennings from RCMplans 1982 - model pic

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=8746

https://www.airagestore.com/plans/rc-planes/1-4-scale-quickie.html

 

 

7544 fiberglass on sale till the end of the month at Thayercraft

/ Spencer Gould

I Got an email from Steve at Thayercraft that they have 7544 fiberglass on sale till the end of the month

7544 is a great option for molds, Boats and Cars

Between now and June 1st get 25% off 5 yard rolls of soft Volan finished 18 ounce per square yard, 38″ wide, boat and tooling type fiberglass cloth style 7544. This heavy cloth is nice and flexible and works with any resin – Epoxy, Polyester or Vinyl Ester. Buy a 5 yard roll for just $48.44 and pay with PayPal and get Free UPS ground Shipping to any of the 48 continental United States.

Lean more at https://www.thayercraft.com/18-oz-7544.html

Check out Thayercraft’s lineup of unique fiberglass cloth styles.

Miraco interconnect – company spotlight

/ Spencer Gould

I get e-mails all the time for different products generated likely from mailing list. However this company and service caught my eye. Miraco makes custom and COTS electrical signal and power assemblies and circuits for different needs and industries.

https://www.miracoinc.com

sales@miracoinc.com

They are located in Manchester New Hampshire USA 🇺🇸

It’s great to see a domestic source that produces custom electrical components particularly on the east coast.

If your in the market for such components I would check them out.

Supershieldz – Glass protector for iPad’s – Product of the month

/ Spencer Gould

I recently bought an iPad mini 4 from Tiger Direct for only $269 on a sale they recently had. I was in the market for one for a whole bunch of uses. As is the drill when buying any nice touch screen device you need a case & a screen protector asap.

The iPad mini is a great size for general aviation to run foreflight, maps, aviation apps and even a backup display.

Usually when buying a new phone I let the phone store put on a screen protector as they have a good track record for getting it on the screen with out bubbles or smudges.

This time around with an online purchase & limited store access I thought I would check out what was on Amazon. Supershieldz brand stood out as the one to get, beyond it being offered in a 2 pack It has a bunch of other good features as well:

  • Made from the high quality tempered-glass for maximum scratch protection and no residue when removed
  • 2.5D Rounded Edge Glass for comfort on the fingers and hand
  • 9H Hardness, 99.99% HD Clarity, and Maintains the Original Touch Experience
  • Hydrophobic and Oleo-phobic coating to reduce sweat and reduce fingerprints
  • Include 2 PCS Tempered Glass Screen Protectors, Protected by Supershieldz No-Hassle Lifetime Replacement Warranty.

The screen protector and case arrived from Amazon before the iPad from Tiger Direct.

I followed the directions and was able to easily apply the screen protector and push the air out with the supplied cleaning cloth.

Functionality and responsiveness is great. The glass surface is high quality with a good smooth tactile feel.

I would highly recommend Supershieldz for anyone looking for a phone or tablet screen protector.

Learn-More

#AD

 

Sourcing USA – Web site share

/ Spencer Gould

I came across  www.sourcingusa.com For domestic search for suppliers with in America. One competitive edge that foreign suppliers have had for the past 2 decades is the ease of networking and making connections with buyers ever since the rise of the Internet. The other advantage is these suppliers are willing to work with smaller buyers & low Minimum order Quantity (MOQ). Many of these smaller companies that started small ended up bringing their suppliers with them on the ride up to becoming mega companies.

Hopefully this resource can aid in your next sourcing need where you can enjoy:

  • No Tariffs.
  • No Customs.
  • Reduced Shipping times & Cost.
  • Ease of factory visits.
  • Breaking archaic sourcing dogma.
  • Made in the USA branding.

gouldaero.com has a wealth of resources on the links page at:

https://gouldaero.com/links/

Fly Baby – Aircraft of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

The Fly Baby is a very popular Home Built aircraft with a good amount of RC options as well.

It first flew in 1962 and was designed by Boeing historian Peter M Bowers.

The Fly Baby can also be converted into a Biplane called the Bi-Baby.

http://www.bowersflybaby.com/ is a great unofficial Fly Baby web site

https://eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/kits-and-plans/d—g/fly-baby

Is a great resource, If you are an EAA member there are Sport Aviation articles ranging from 1962 – 2005 plus a pdf download of the 74 paged Building the wood airplane part of EAA’s “HOW-TO” series from way back.

 

Now for some RC options, Outerzone has a bunch, here are some that look quite workable today with electric power.

56″ Span from Modellismo in 2012

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=4062

 

72″ span from RCM in 1980

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=5837

And for some kits & Arf’s

Sig 68″ Span = https://sigmfg.com/products/seagull-models-bowers-flybaby

Balsa USA Giant 112″ span = https://shop.balsausa.com/product_p/447.htm

Balsa USA Giant 88″ span biplane version = https://shop.balsausa.com/product_p/452.htm

 

 

 

K-12 STEM Links

/ Spencer Gould

Some good news with our current world, A middle school teacher contacted me letting me know the value that she & her students are getting out of the web site while studying from home. She let me know about an interesting WWII Car, Airplane and Tank article on:

https://www.titlemax.com/articles/cars-tanks-airplanes-of-wwii/

There are 3 main very high value community based organizations (CBO) I recommend for any K-12 STEM program. These 3 are also where I got my start in middle school in the early 90’s

 

EAA Experimental Aircraft Association  

Young Eagles:

https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/free-ye-flights

Find a Local Chapters:

https://www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-chapters/find-an-eaa-chapter

 

The 3 largest airshows in the US are (in normal times):

Airventure in Oshkosh Wisconsin put on by the EAA (July / August)

https://www.eaa.org/airventure

Sun-N-Fun in Lake Land Florida (March / April)

https://flysnf.org/

Copper State in Buckeye Arizona (usually early in the year)

https://www.copperstate.org/

 

AMA Academy of Model Aeronautics

very accessible and low cost, a good foundation to learn about aviation & turn it into a life long passion.

https://www.modelaircraft.org/

http://amaflightschool.org/programs

Flite Test is another CBO that has strong low cost / easy access RC aircraft & Multi Rotors.

https://www.flitetest.com/

 

Model Rockets:

 

Tripoli Rocketry Association, Inc. the main organization that puts together model rocket launches, works with FAA & local government to make sure everything is good to go. They focus on high power rockets but they also have the smaller ones at the launches as well.  http://www.tripoli.org/

Estes Rockets a supplier of A-E impulse model rockets https://estesrockets.com/

 

Hope this helps with your schools programs, feel free to share with other educators.

 

Spencer Gould

Aerospace Engineer.