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The Mini Coupe is a single engine, single place, aluminum construction, low-wing aircraft with a twin rudder layout. The aircraft shares the same basic configuration as the larger
The Mini Coupe was designed to be built using simple tools and techniques, relying on extensive use of pop-riveted aluminum construction. Originally designed to take advantage of low-cost VW engines, the Mini Coupe can accept various engines of between . The ailerons and twin rudders are push-pull tube operated. The original kit was sold in 1974 for $1694 with a total parts cost of about $2400. The kit included all construction materials for the aircraft. If built to specifications, it meets the requirements to be certified as an
Erco Ercoupe
The ERCO Ercoupe is an American low-wing monoplane aircraft that was first flown in 1937. It was originally manufactured by the Engineering and Research Corporation (ERCO) shortly before World War II; several other manufacturers continued it ...
, providing the basis for the name Mini Coupe. The complete parts kit for the aircraft is no longer sold. Plans are available for scratch building the aircraft.
Development
The Mini Coupe was designed to be built using simple tools and techniques, relying on extensive use of pop-riveted aluminum construction. Originally designed to take advantage of low-cost VW engines, the Mini Coupe can accept various engines of between . The ailerons and twin rudders are push-pull tube operated. The original kit was sold in 1974 for $1694 with a total parts cost of about $2400. The kit included all construction materials for the aircraft. If built to specifications, it meets the requirements to be certified as an Experimental Aircraft
An experimental aircraft is an aircraft intended for testing new aerospace technologies and design concepts.
The term ''research aircraft'' or ''testbed aircraft'', by contrast, generally denotes aircraft modified to perform scientific studies, ...
meeting Light Sport Aircraft
A light-sport aircraft (LSA), or light sport aircraft, is a fairly new category of small, lightweight aircraft that are simple to fly. LSAs tend to be heavier and more sophisticated than ultralight (aka "microlight") aircraft, but LSA restrictio ...
criteria.
The Mini Coupe kit rights were marketed by Chris Tena, then Bill and Jerry Johnson (Bill Johnson and Chris Tenea were one and the same; Chris was Bill's wife, after whom he named the airplane.) "Sport International", then finally Buck Sport Aviation.
Specifications (Mini Coupe with VW Engine)
References
{{reflist Homebuilt aircraft Light-sport aircraft