Ercoupe
Forney
Alon
Rocket Testing
1999 10th Annual West Coast Falco Fly-In
JATO Rocket Testing
The first JATO test was conducted on August 6, 1941. Six JATO units were installed, 3 under each wing. The Ercoupe climbed to altitude under conventional power and then ignited the rocket boosters.
Six days later the first American rocket-assisted takeoff took place. Trailing streamers of gray smoke, it climbed at an angle that startled observers. The JATO assist cut the Ercoupe’s takeoff roll from a normal 580 feet to 300 feet. It reduced the takeoff time from 13.1 seconds to 7.5 seconds.
For the August 23 test, technicians removed the Ercoupe’s propeller and installed 12 JATO units. Captain Boushey leaned out of the cockpit and grabbed a tow rope. A truck towed the Ercoupe to a speed of 25 mph, and the rockets were ignited. The Ercoupe was propelled into the air with a total thrust of 336 pounds.
The successful JATO test with the Ercoupe led to the founding of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
