This mod is being developed in the UK, and will be available there sometime
in the future, pending PFA approval. We are only doing the testing in the
US. The mod will not be released until all testing is complete, and we are
very happy with it. I can tell you that it will be very easy to retrofit,
so there is no benefit to having it sooner rather than later. You may,
however, wish to wait for the mod rather than doing it yourself as it will
be a big time saver. There is no need to avoid installing your strut in the
conventional fashion in the meantime.
Happy building!
John Hurst
Europa Aircraft
Lakeland, FL
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Alan
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Door Support
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
>
>
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