Steve's comments are spot on. I'd recommend that you check out the FAQ
section of the Europa Club Website, and some builder's websites for more
of an idea of what the build process is like. Also, Ron Wattanja has
written an excellent book on building techniques, the first chapter of
which poses the question, "do you really want to do this?". www.eaa.org
is a good site as well for general building guidance.
I have just started my project, having received the kit in late
December. I'm quite the neophyte, but offer the following comments for
what they're worth:
1. Building an airplane is a social endeavor. Consider it a lab in
which you learn about how to build airplanes and get to take home your
class project. Expect to spend as much time meeting and talking with
other builders as you do in actually building the plane. Buy if you
just want to fly.
2. Most folks that I've talked to have spent around 1500-2000 hours
building their XS kits. Keep in mind, however, that the XS has been out
for a bit longer than it's taken the first builders to finish. In the
next year there should be a ton of new XS's flying, and a lot better
idea of the typical build times. Do not expect to spend more than 10
hours a week if you have other responsibilities. That's 150-200 weeks.
A friend of mine finished his RV-4 in 6 years - and two marriages.
3. Don't be suprised if you spend closer to $70K for a 914. Consider
that the basic kit is roughly $30K, the firewall forward is $20K, a CS
prop is $5K, a bare bones panel is about $5K including avionics and
engine instruments, paint starts at $2K (more typically $5K), and a
trailer will be $2K-$4K. People often forget the other stuff, like
delivery, tools, shop upgrades, books, seminars, transition training,
paying the test pilot if you aren't going to do the honors...I figure
$5K.
4. Insurance for building is about $400-500/year. Insurance for a
low-time taildragger pilot with about 10-20 hours in type is looking
like over $2000/year. Insurance companies are hurting, and they're
raising their rates. Maybe by the time I finish, they'll go back down
again.
4. Keep up your flying skills while you build. Don't start building
unless you can afford the building time on top of your normal flying
time.
I'm sacrificing time in the shop for time in the air right now, 'cause
I'm too rusty.
Consider the unique requirements of the XS monowheel and keep tailwheel
current.
Shaun Simpkins
A207
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Hagar
Subject: RE: Europa xs
Kevin:
Yes it is alot of questions. But here goes from my viewpoint.
I have been building for about 20 months now. Had originally planned
on finishing in 3 yrs. But now figure it may be 4. I only put in about
10 hours a week. I don't want to make it a full time job or any thing
that resembles it because I already have one of them. I have however
been very meticulous on everything I have done so it takes more time. I
don't want anything coming back on me and biting me in the you know
where. I know people who have been at it 6 years and people who have
finished in 18 months.
Problems with epoxy? What do you mean? The stuff is really straight
forward and no problem. Just do several little sample projects before
doing the plane to get a feel for it and do some reading of Ron
Alexander and Burt Rutan stuff.
How many stop the project? I doubt you will find that out here. If I
stopped the project I wouldn't be wasting my time surfing this page
anymore. That is more a personal thing rather than a kit thing.
How much to operate? I have heard of a minimum of $1300 a year for
the insurance. The rest you figure out. You build your own plane so you
can do the maintenance. Fuel burn anywhere between 3 and 6 gal/hr.
Hanger trailer etc. Its expensive but much cheaper than a certificated
plane but with much more performance.
How much to get into the air? I figure when I'm done it will be
about 50 to 60 K. That however is with a turbocharged Rotax. It sounds
like a lot but you better plan for it. I've probably spent $200 just in
sand paper. Little things like getting the kit to your house can cost
you $1000. Poly fiber UV smooth prime is about $1 an oz.
Builder support? I haven't had too much interaction with Europa other
than making sure that all the parts were present. This forum and
other builders web pages have taken care of any questions. The kit is
pretty straight forward and easy to figure out. From reading other's
web pages on what they have had contact with Europa the support seems
reasonable.
Rigging, transport? Have not been there or done that.
Steve Hagar
Mesa, AZ
A143
N40SH
----- Original Message -----
From: Kevin Flynn
Subject: Europa xs
Hi I was thinking about the europa xs kit. Can anyone answer a few
questions. 1.How long will it really take.2. How many have many
have had
problems with epoxy. 3.How many stop there projects and why. 4. How
much to
operate after complete , insurance, maintenance,etc. 5. How is
Europa,s
builder support. 6. How much will a plain vanilla xs cost to get
into the
air. 7 how simple/hard is the europa to rig and transport.
http://www.hotmail.com.
--- Steve Hagar
--- hagargs@earthlink.net
|