Will this mod be available in the UK?
Alan
#303
----- Original Message -----
From: "Europa Aircraft" <europa@gate.net>
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Door Support
>
> Hi All,
>
> The production tooling on the door strut mod is complete, pending release
> when testing, and instillation instructions are complete. The mod is
> installed on our demonstrator here in the US and is working beautifully.
> There is no price, or release date yet, however judging from the progress
> made, should be soon.
>
> The original instillation has served many builder and flyers - including
> myself well for years. We have noticed that on some, not all airplanes,
the
> corner of the door can raise up after being parked in the heat for a
period
> of time. In the US this has effected one of our company planes, while the
> other has not had any issues with the original design. Our plans in the
US
> are to only install the mod on one of the airplanes, as the other will not
> benefit. This is only cosmetic, and does not effect the operation, or
> security of the door. And, again does not effect all XS, or Classic
models.
>
> The company has devoted a great deal of time in R&D, and testing for this
> mod to make it very easy to install. This was done as a result of
feedback
> from our builders, like the one below.
>
> I want to again thank our builders for there support. We will continue to
> return the favor by making mods, and improvements that can be applied to
> existing kits in the field, not just to new models.
>
> Happy Building!
>
> John Hurst
> Europa Aircraft
> Lakeland, FL
> USA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Kingsley
> Hurst
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Europa-List: Door Support
>
>
> <hurstkr@growzone.com.au>
>
> Hello All,
>
> This posting is rather belated but nevertheless I think it is worth doing.
> Some time ago, there was considerable discussion regarding the problem of
> deformation of the doors and the method of attachment of the gas struts.
>
> I now wish to announce to the world that I have adopted the principle and
> now sing the praises of Ted Gladstone's brilliant idea which completely
> eliminates all strain on the door as a result of the forces applied by the
> gas strut.
>
> Before carrying out this mod, I must admit to having first tried the
> "alternative" method which I think most builders are now adopting. When I
> did so however, I still found that the door deformed slightly where the
> strut attached at its new location and also that the gap at the top of the
> door opened up an extra 1.5mm. Further, on closing the door, there was a
> large amount of distortion requiring it to be positively held in alignment
> before it could be fully closed. Admittedly, there was no perspex in the
> door to provide extra bracing but it was my desire that the perspex should
> not have to contribute in this manner. I therefore went to the trouble of
> laying up one ply of carbon fibre on the inner surface from the rear hinge
> to 2/3 of the way down the back of the door. This strengthened the door
> considerably but I was still not happy about the poor rear hinge having to
> withstand the consistent 25 to 27 kg load. If you don't feel sorry for
the
> hinge, see how long you can hold the gas strut fully closed. I hadn't got
> to replacing the new attachment point when I learned of Ted's idea and I
> immediately recognised it as being what I consider the only true answer to
> the problem found to date.
>
> Because I am not constrained by limitations imposed by the PFA like Ted
is,
> I was able to make mine slightly different from Ted's in as much as I cut
> the bottom out of the gas strut channel in order that I could make it a
> little deeper which in turn allowed a little longer strut and slightly
> differing geometry which I am pleased to be able to say has been most
> rewarding. Anybody who is interested in this approach and who hasn't yet
> installed the roll over bracing at the back between the doors would be
well
> advised to do the modified layup of the channels and the reinforcement
> section all in one go because it provides a good opportunity to include a
> couple of layers of uni from just below the lower end of the channel right
> across to the same point on the opposite side.
>
> The end result of all this is that I now have doors (still without
perspex)
> that close without the slightest sign of misalignment, that have
absolutely
> no residual strain on them when fully closed and have a much improved hold
> open force which supports 4 x 1 kg bags of sand placed on the larger area
of
> the door when fully open. The only disappointment was that the carbon
fibre
> layups have been made completely redundant but I am certainly not going to
> remove them now.
>
> CAVEAT
>
> This mod does require a reasonable amount of work and indeed patience and
I
> would suggest it is not for the feint hearted. If you like a bit of a
> challenge then the reward is there for the taking.
>
> For me, it is one of those things that when completed, makes me feel good
> every time I operate it as opposed to being something that "I wish I had
> done"
>
> If there is sufficient interest, I would be prepared to draw up the
> dimensions I finally arrived at. I have photos and a video of the
operation
> but unfortunately I don't know how to make the video condensed enough to
> publish it on the web. If I am requested to supply details I wish to
point
> out that I have to do so with full acknowledgement to Ted Gladstone for
the
> advice and assistance provided by him to me several months ago for which I
> am extremely grateful. Thanks Ted. Hope you haven't taken out a patent!!
>
> Regards
> Kingsley Hurst
> Mono Classic 281 in Oz
>
>
|