Fellow Europaphiles,
I was recently asked about my thoughts concerning the Europa and to
compare it to some other designs. I am forwarding my thoughts to the
Europa Forum with the hope of stimulating some discussion about the
basic design. I believe there are many who monitor this forum who have
not yet taken the plunge. Maybe a little testimonial will help them with
their decision to get started.
Again this is only my opinion. Dave Conrad
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 1999 13:59:18 -0500
From: aviatordave@fuse.net
Subject: Europa XS Opinion;
Dear Dave,
The Europa is IDEAL for ME. It may or may not be the best for you.
It depends on your needs and what your dreams are.
First... I am a builder... I won't fly for probably another three
years... That said... I'll share my thoughts.
I am a corporate pilot, ATP, CFI-AI, also rated in gliders.
The Europa flies GREAT! I have only flown a demo flight, but the
Europa has great control harmony. It is nimble in roll and stable in
pitch. It is the best airplane I have had the privilege to fly. That is
saying a lot. All the factory press about Don Dykins and a great design
is true. They really did their homework. This plane is a joy to fly.
I will keep my plane on a trailer and use auto fuel in a Rotax 914.
Over the life of the airplane these cost savings will really add up.
Don't be naive in thinking that the Europa is inexpensive though. I will
have at least $70,000 in a full IFR version. The operating costs of the
airplane, however, are hard to beat. The Lancair, RV, and GP-4 will all
have significantly higher fuel flows.
Lancair: Great airplane. Must be kept at an airport, not great on
short / soft fields, big engine... high fuel flows.
RV: Great airplane. Same cons as the Lancair... wings don't come
off, must buy expensive avgas.
Pulsar: Small inside. Again, the wings don't come off. Fuselage
built in left and right halves. Harder to build the interior control
systems. You'll spend a lot of time crawling back into the empennage.
The Europa lets you install most systems, then put the top on.
Vision: Not proven enough yet. But again, the wings don't come off
GP-4: This plane takes forever to build as evident in very few
completions.
RANS: I have visited the RANS Factory in Kansas. This is a good
company and is well established. I too considered the S-10 and S-16.
Seeing the S-16 at Lakeland last year, I just didn't fall in love with
the design. Cockpit small, tubes intrude into the cockpit. Just didn't
measure up to all the literature I had read from them. Also not as
aerodynamically clean as the Europa.
The RV is OK for aerobatics, but not really stable enough for a good
IFR platform (my opinion).
I also considered the Glastar. The engine is too big. Expensive
constant speed prop. Not aerobatic... but can be fitted with floats.
Hard to fold the wings with fuel in them.
The Europa does many things very well. Flies slow... Flies fast... on
very little horsepower. The 914 will also fly high since it is
turbocharged. Limited aerobatics. Only thing it won't do is land on
water. I think I can put skis on the monowheel and outriggers and fly
off of snow. The Europa will be FUN to fly and also serve as a good
cross-country airplane.
We have land in Colorado. This airplane will be able to operate at the
higher field elevations (turbocharging). With portable oxygen I plan to
be cruising pretty high. I also plan to have a set of the glider wings.
None of the other planes can do this. Gliding in the mountains! With the
glider wings and the engine pulled way back, I'm looking forward to some
real long distance flights. Lots of variety available with this
airframe.
I have a daughter who is 15. We are building the airplane together. It
is the best way for me to give her a kick start in aviation. It will
take us a long time to build, but we are enjoying the process and are
building to a very high standard. We hope to have an award winner. I'm
figuring 2 years on the airframe, 1 year on systems/avionics, 1 year on
paint/upholestry & final finish. Probably about 500 hrs per year. 2000
hrs total. But it can also be built in about 2 years and 1000 hrs.
Depends on what you are looking for in the finished product.
Europa the company: They have great investors and are in it for the long
run as is evident on their pursuing a certified airplane. I enjoy
working with Bob Berube and Michelle in Lakeland (my contact).
I can't say strongly enough what a great design the Europa is. You can
go faster by adding horsepower (it is a squared relationship). You must
have 4 times the horsepower to go twice as fast. Or you can go faster by
reducing drag. Reducing drag is much more efficient. The clean laminar
flow of the Europa does this well. I am realistically hoping for a max
speed of 165 kts (200 mph). To optimize the great speed range of the
plane (both slow and fast) it needs a constant speed propellor. The
Airmaster looks good at this time (http://www.propellor.com) Using
glider technology I will work hard for clean lines and smooth airflow.
No external antennas, no external door handles, fairings on the flap
hinges and tailwheel, etc.
The Europa monowheel is different from any other plane out there.
Different from any taildragger or glider. But the design serves a great
purpose and works well. The point is... no matter what your experience
level, you need dual instruction in a Europa to a level of competency
before being cut loose. Not difficult to master... just different. Once
mastered you'll enjoy the soft and short takeoff and landing benefits of
the design and think it is a great way to fly. I believe the tri-gear is
a compromise and strongly favor the monowheel over it.
So... those are my thoughts. Opinion only, but a measured opinion backed
by some experience with airplanes.
Summary: The Europa is unbeatable by any other current design for my
needs. What are your needs?
Sincerely, Dave Conrad, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, A078, N200XS
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