Eric,
Hello from Carrollton. I'm in the final stages of pre-build for my Europa
project, i.e., my wife finally said I can do it :) After a hip replacement
next week and the recovery, I hope to attend the builders' workshop in Georgia
in October, then take delivery of my kit sometime in early January. ( I
promised my wife I wouldn't beg too much to start before then.) I'm going to
take a stab at some of your questions, while looking forward to being roundly
corrected by those more on top of things than I. (Ready, Aim.....)
Having seen the Europa up close (and even flying one at Sun 'n Fun this last
Friday. Wow!), I feel there probably is not enough clearance around the
monowheel assembly for a landing light. Things are pretty close together down
there. Perhaps a fitting around the cowling for the radiator would be
better? Since you're planning on a landing light, are you also thinking of
night operations? If so, you'll still need to wire the wings, but not to
worry. Several builders have done so using various types of quick connect
fittings at the wing root to very good effect.
As far as size of the Europa, it is smaller than your average PA-28, to be
sure. However, if you're planning on carrying two adults, 100 lb. of baggage
and enough fuel for 600+ sm. of flight plus reserves, then the Europa is
plenty big. ( I'm 5' 8" and an uncomfortable 205 lb. and the smaller, original
Europa still fits me fine.) I talked to a lot of people at Lakeland; several
of them thought the Europa was a production airplane and were surprised when I
told them it was a kit, so it definitely doesn't look too small :) The
designer, Ivan Shaw, is around 6' 1" so you know it's not too tight a fit for
most of us.
---From what I know about composites, the useful life is high, as long as you
don't overheat the plane and let the epoxy break down. About the only way to
do that is to paint the surface a color other than white (which the FAA won't
let you do, anyway), and leave it out in the summer sun for a while. I
believe you can visually determine a separation of laminates by a change in
appearance of the affected section, but I'll let someone more knowledgeable
give the definitive answer on that one.
There is a Europa builder in Ovilla, down near Lancaster, but I'm afraid I've
lost my list of addresses. Anyone else?
Not being a builder (yet), there are some questions I won't be able to answer,
but if there is anything I can do since we're so close, please let me know.
Welcome to the fold,
Steve Genotte
Carrollton, Texas
Eric Tauch wrote:
> Hello Robert and everyone,
>
> I have been "lurking" around out here a while. I guess a short intro is
> in order...I am fairly new to homebuilding, and have never built a plane,
> but have been actively reading and researching for the past 3 years in
> preparation for building. I have pretty much decided on the Europa. I
> have never seen one other than in the video and pictures, but am going to
> try to make it to Oshkosh this year. I am an engineer (electronics), and
> have worked
> in wireless telecom for the last 8 years.
>
> I was wondering about strobes and landing lights too. If you put them in
> the wings, you will have
> to make some sort of electrical connection at rigging. I was thinking
> that the monowheel assembly would be the
> ideal place for a landing light. Maybe not enough clearance under
> there??? More prone to damage in landings?
> Anyway, it would avoid wiring power to the wings and maybe less drag under
> there behind the cowl.
>
> Does anyone have a kit or completed Europa in the Dallas, TX area I could
> look at? My only concern is the size of the plane. I'm thinking it may
> be a bit small when I see it in person. I guess this is one of the
> penalties for an easily trailerable plane which Is a feature I really
> like. The cabin seems plenty big, though.
>
> Also does anyone have any more specifics (web sites?) for the new 100hp
> EFI rotax 912?
>
> I have also been wondering about the stressing of composites and the
> useful life of the airframe (as well as
> inspection of stressed areas).
>
> Any help/comments/pointers greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Eric Tauch
> Plano, Tx, USA
>
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