On the 14th October 1995 the first customer built Europa G-OPJK successfully
completed its first flight from Wobleton airfield in North Yorkshire. Test pilot
Peter Clark reported that the aircraft flew beautifully with both performance
and handling being better than the company's prototype G-YURO.
The aircraft was built over a two and a half year period by Mr Peter Kember, a
town planner from Tunbridge Wells in Kent. It is powered by a Rotax 912, 80hp
engine and Warp Drive 3 blade ground adjustable propeller.
A custom paint finish, full I.F.R. panel and leather interior have helped make
the aircraft a real eye catcher.
Mr Kember, an experienced private pilot flew the aircraft on its second flight
of the day. His comment on landing was that not only was it the fulfilment of a
lifetime's ambition - to build his own aircraft - but it was the best handling
of the fifty different types in his log book.
Mr Ivan Shaw, the Europa designer also had an opportunity to fly G-OPJK. He
commented "It is the best handling Europa Built to date".
Now that the company have completed the Europa Kit many more aircraft will be
taking to the air over the next few months. Examples are ready to fly in both
Ireland and Germany with an English Subaru powered version ready to commence
taxi testing.
Europa have also brought out a small modification to the seat moulding which
gives 4 inches extra width, bringing pilot and passenger closer together. This
modification greatly improves comfort for the larger flyers.
With over 275 Europas under construction worldwide the concept of fast glass
efficiency coupled to STOL grass field operation is proving very attractive.
Europas are under construction in countries as far afield as Australia, New
Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa, South America, USA, Canada, France, Germany,
Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal and Spain. The
Europa has also quickly established itself as the most popular homebuilt in the
UK with over 150 under construction.
Ivan Shaw thanked the Popular Flying Association for the "can do" attitude which
they have shown during the development of the Europa aircraft.
Information on the Europa can be obtained from:-
Europa Aviation Ltd,
Unit 2A, Dove Way,
Kirby Mills Industrial Estate,
Kirbymoorside,
North Yorkshire. YO6 6NR.
England
Tel : 44 (0)1751 431773.
Fax : 44 (0)1751 431706.
Europa Aviation Inc,
3400 Airfield Drive West,
Lakeland,
FL 33811,
U.S.A.
Tel: 941 647 5355
Fax: 941 646 2877
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