Morten,
I may as well add something to your problem. With a few hundred hours total
and over a hundred on taildraggers, I bought a Europa Classic last year. It
was bought with the intention to convert to a conventional taildragger using
the swiss carbon fibre leg (looks are not quite as nice as Bob Berubes, but
not bad). Before committing to the conversion, I flew about 40 hours,
including the 'differences' training. I have to say that in all those
flights, the aircraft was superb in the air, but I never ever looked forward
to the landing. I never experienced a problem, but I did restrict myself
initially to 5 knots of crosswind, eventually building to 7 knots. I found
this to be quite restrictive.
The conversion work is now finished, awaiting PFA approval, so I have only
flown a few test flights. The aircraft handles better on the ground (with
individual wheel brakes), and take-off and landing (now with full flap
available) are 'normal' taildragger. In flight, the few knots of cruise
speed that I have lost will be recovered by fitting leg fairings and
eventually a 'speed' kit.
I tend to favour taildraggers over tri-gear, but I can see that the mono may
have benefits if you expect to operate from short or rough strips. The
tri-gear will be a much more straightforward for a 'new' pilot, and more
forgiving when you are out of practice after months of bad weather.
Have fun deciding!
Ian.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Morten Lund karlsen" <mortenlund@tiscali.no>
Subject: Europa-List: mono vs. trigear
<mortenlund@tiscali.no>
>
> Hi all you Europa builders!
>
> Really could need some advice frome you! I am takeing flightlessons for my
> PPL (cessna 172). This is noe of my dreams comming true! I also have one
> other dream, to build my own Europa...! I just can't deside which one to
> build. The mono, or the tri.. I understand that the mono can bee a real
> chalenge, particulary to unexperienced pilots. But I like the the mono
looks
> so much better than the tri! Any one out there who can help me make up my
> mind? It canges from day to day.. I really don't want to build an aircraft
> which I can't handle...
>
> Regards!
>
> Morten Lund Karlsen
>
>
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