europa-list
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: First Flight

Subject: Re: First Flight
From: MJKTuck@cs.com
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 21:47:08
In a message dated 8/11/02 4:11:01 PM Central Daylight Time, 
europajim@juno.com writes: 

> The biggest thing will be how much corrections are necessary to keep the 
> Mono-wheel straight.  As I know it must be kept straight or it will bite 
> you.

Congrats on your first flight. With regard to your worry about keeping the 
monowheel straight just don't forget that the tailwheel is your only means of 
directional control until close to takeoff speed. It is unlike - say a Cessna 
120 or 170 where you push the stick forward to get the tail off the ground 
while you let the airspeed build. The thing is the Europa all moving 
tailplane is powerful enough to get the tail off the ground and all you end 
up doing is pulling rather briskly off the left due to prop wash.

Just keep in a little back pressure to keep the tailwheel on the ground for 
most of the acceleration and you will have directional control all the way, 
no problem. Keep the back pressure in and the aircraft will lift off all by 
itself although I find that above 35 kt the airplane wants to sit on its 
monowheel and at that speed there is plenty of rudder authority.

Good luck and safe flying.

Regards,
Martin Tuck
N152MT
Wichita, Kansas


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>