Which light aircraft had no rudder pedals?

Short answer

The ERCO Ercoupe, a low-wing American monoplane that flew in 1937, was flown using only the control wheel, with no rudder pedals. A two-control system linked the rudder and ailerons — yaw and roll — to the steerable nose wheel. It was built by the Engineering and Research Corporation shortly before World War II.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Which light aircraft had no rudder pedals?

1949 Ercoupe Advertisement in Flying

A monoplane without pedals

The ERCO Ercoupe is a low-wing American monoplane that made its first flight in 1937. It had no rudder pedals and was flown using only the control wheel.

Two controls instead of three

A two-control system linked the aircraft's rudder and aileron circuits, which governed yaw and roll respectively, and also connected them to the steerable nose wheel.

The ERCO 310

The ERCO 310, a machine that already featured a fully cowled engine, made its first flight in October 1937 at College Park Airport. The Engineering and Research Corporation (ERCO) was the original manufacturer of the Ercoupe, shortly before World War II.