Gene,

The original Ercoupe came with an interconnect between the ailerons and rudders-so roll and yaw was controlled with the yoke. No rudder pedals. It is considered a "two-control" airplane. (Very late versions had rudder pedals and area a "three-control" airplane.)

The main landing gear is trailing beam, so on touchdown in a crosswind the airplane straightens itself out (you land crabbed) so that it points in the direction it is traveling over the ground (you do get jostled to the right or left as it does so, it's kind of abrupt). You then steer the airplane (nosewheel steering connected to the yoke) as you would a car during rollout and taxi.

On takeoff you steer the airplane with the yoke, as you break ground you turn into the wind (interconnect makes it a coordinated turn) to establish the crab on climbout.

If the airplane is rigged correctly, you can land it in a level attitude at something over 100 MPH (never had the guts to try it). It will handle astonishing crosswinds, in excess of 30 knots. The only thing to remember is, on rollout, you have to steer away from the wind (yoke downwind) rather than into it (yoke upwind) as you do in a three-control airplane.

More on the Ercoupe: http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/1998/November/1/Ercoupe-Pilots-Smile-a-Lot

Quite a few physically challenged people have learned to fly Ercoupes. They're wonderful airplanes. They won't stall. However, they are not short field machines as are their two-place peers of the time, the Cub and Champ.

Warmest regards,
Rick