Posted on 06/16/2005 12:47:08 PM PDT by SamFromLivingston
FORT PAYNE, Ala. (AP) — Police say a 14-year-old boy is in juvenile detention today after he apparently decided he wanted to fly a Cessna aircraft.
Fort Payne Police Chief David Walker said the Rainsville youngster was apparently wandering around the Fort Payne Municipal Airport when he found a set of keys inside the cockpit.
The incident happened last night at about 11:20 p.m..
Walker said the boy started the plane's engine and after driving around the runway he took off. Police estimate the teen flew about five minutes and then landed. But he took off again and flew the plane over areas of Fort Payne for nearly a half-hour.
When the boy attempted to make a second landing, he barely missed a fence. Seconds later, according to police, the plane's engine died causing it to make a hard landing on a road near the airport.
The boy, who told police it was his first-ever flight, suffered only minor injuries.
Walker said the 1981 Cessna Two, valued at $35,000, has significant structural damaged.
The juvenile was charged with first-degree theft and giving false information to police. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.
Can you imagine? "Hello, this is the police, remember that plane you used to have..."
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Do you know the road outside Rosie's Bar...
Well, guess what!
I, too, am wondering just what the hell a Cessna 2 is. I flew both the 152 and the 172. Do ya suppose the crack journalist juse left off a couple of numbers?
Cool plane. What's the history behind it?
You have the leather hat, googles and scarf? With the open cockpit it would be neat.
There was a story a while ago about a guy taking a bulldozer and ploying into a bunch of airplanes on a field.
Strange things happen....
"Boy! Those flight sim games sure must have gotten better."
Actually, Microsoft Flight Sim 2004 is used for flight training, it is that good.
Like a date story in a Panty Thief Thread?
Some Ercoupe History:
The Ercoupe was designed between 1936 and 1940, with the first flight of the prototype in 1937. Before WW2, 112 were built and approximately 5,000 were made immediately after the war. About 400 more were built between 1958 and 1969.
The original name was derived from the name of the company, ERCO, which stood for Engineering and Research Corporation. When later companies manufactured the plane, it was called the Aircoupe.
Designed by Fred Weick and a small team, the Ercoupe was the first plane to incorporate much of the original research that Weick performed as the assistant chief of the NACA aerodynamics division.
These new features include the inability to be held in a spin, the tricycle landing gear to improve landing and take-off safety, the wholly cowled engine, and a control system in which the rudders are linked to the ailerons to simplify controlling the airplane. All these features were invented by Fred Weick and his team.
Fred Weick's design goals for this aircraft were simplicity of control and safety. He built in great visibility and ground handling. For safety, the elevator deflection of 13 degrees made stalls nearly impossible. Turning the control wheel operated nose wheel steering, ailerons and proportional rudder for coordinated turns.
In February 1946, Fred Weick received the Fawcett Aviation Award for the greatest contribution to the scientific advancement of private flying.
Forney Aircoupes were made from 1958-1959, Alon made planes from 1965-1967, Mooney made the A-2-A (Alon style) Cadet in 1968 and the Mooney M-1.0 Cadet (with a "Mooney" tail) was made from 1969-1970.
It was created to give the average Joe and easy airplane to fly.
"ERCO is "Engineering Research Corporation" whose first product was the Ercoupe. This was the first tricycle aircraft and was designed by Fred Weick. Fred is famous for many things, including the "takeoff/landing over a 50-foot obstacle" specification. He went on to design the Piper PA-28 Cherokee and others.
The Ercoupe, with its distinctive twin-tail design, was originally provided with "coordinated controls", i.e. the rudder was connected to the yoke and yaw correction was automatic - NO RUDDER PEDALS. The steerable nose wheel was connected directly to the yoke - you taxied exactly like you drive your car. This, and limited elevator travel, contributed to the result that the 'Coupe is "characteristically incapable of spinning"! You can try, but the plane will fly out of an incipient spin."
It's a pre-WWII design.
Just what I was thinking. I hate to admit it, but if he was my kid? I'd be torn between killing him dead, or severe punishment followed by flying lessons after a suitable interval.
Amen, Dash. And that's why I've always wanted one. It's the closest thing I've seen to a plane you can get in and drive like a car.
Nothing silly about that, Ercoups are cool
Coordinated directional control was accomplished solely with differential aileron movement, thus eliminating the need for coordinated movable rudder controls. The intent was that the experienced automobile driver would be able to step into the airplane and solo it with only an hour or so of flight instruction. While this was unrealistic, many people were able to solo the airplane with less than four hours of dual flight time.
I have a PA28 also... plus the one on my profile page.
Love it!
Flying out of a non-public airfield and not in controls airspace you don't even need to have a radio.
Pingable?
If they are IFR they do. If VFR it depends how close they are to a major airport.
A thing of beauty it is.
USAF , sign him up ..
Technically you can fly IFR without communication radio - from an uncontrolled field to an uncontrolled field with instrument approach without traversing controlled airspace. Get clearance before departure via phone - clearance limit time issued - the call upon landing to close flight plan...wouldn't advise it but it can be done legally - or at least it could last time I checked the FAR's (Federal Regulations) - I'm sure someone will correct me if that has been changed.
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