Hi Carl,
Do you plan to sign-up for some PFA Coaching or are you happy to fly the
Europa without?
The reason I ask is that, although I was brought up on tail-draggers, I was
far from current and therefore I did sign up.
The Guy who coached me was an excellent instructor and shortly before
sending me off solo, he stopped me from lowering the gear/flaps after
turning onto base leg but told me to continue flying a "normal" approach as
if to land. It wasn't possible!
---From the usual 1000ft point it was impossible to get the speed down to 50/55
kts over the hedge as one would on a normal landing.
What I am trying to say is that even if your flying is only average(ie.
twice as good as mine!) and you have no difficulty in positioning the a/c
for the approach and landing, then you will certainly know in plenty of time
that you haven't deployed the gear/flaps. When I tried I could have dropped
it onto the numbers - but at the wrong end of a 600 metre runway!
I think it unnecessary to fit a warning system. The Europa is quite benign
in the landing phase and there is little to think about - until the wheel is
actually on the ground, that is, and then......!
Just a thought.
Regards and good luck with the test flight!
Ron Jones.
(N0.359 G-RJWX)
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