Some years back I began work to develop a set of rear windows for the
Europa.
As part of the PFA submission, I worked with Barry Mellors (the man
responsible for the stress calculations of the original airframe) to
calculate the structural effect on the strength of the fuselage, of cutting
out significant amounts of the turtle deck.
To my astonishment, these calculations revealed that there was no
degradation in rigidity and even more surprising, Barry stated that the
entire turtle deck is "non structural" and that the aircraft could fly quite
happily without it - though I would not advocate trying this out!
The turbulent "roar" caused by even a small opening in a streamlined car
body or aircraft airframe can be quite alarming. You only need to play with
an electric sun-roof to see how small changes in position can create large
differences in turbulence.
If I was to consider using the Europa as a photo ship, I would remove both
doors to eliminate asymmetric forces and then experiment with spoilers along
the top rim of the windscreen - a trick used by many car manufactures to
eliminate sun-roof roar.
Nigel (the other one) Graham
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of nigel charles
Sent: 24 June 2006 01:30
To: europa-list@matronics.com
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Doors ( - not "The Doors"...)
In the case of the Europa the door apertures represent quite a large
surface area of that part of the fuselage. Although several pilots have
shown that the aircraft can be flown satisfactorily with one of the doors
removed, it bothers me that it without doubt reduces the structural strength
of the fuselage. As we know when building the aircraft the rigidity of the
fuselage greatly increases when the windows are installed. Whilst flights
have been carried out without incident I would question the loads the
fuselage could take with one or both of the doors removed. Certainly with
both doors removed there will be an increased load on the narrow overhead
panel between the doors. I had to significantly reinforce the overhead panel
when I cut a small overhead vent because the overhead panel is considered a
strength critical part of the airframe. I would not be happy flying the
Europa with one or both of the doors removed without the necessary stress
calculations proving it not to be a problem. If the calculations have been
done and prove this not to be a problem please ignore all the above.
Nigel Charles
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of David Watts
Sent: 23 June 2006 21:37
To: europa-list@matronics.com
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Doors ( - not "The Doors"...)
Well I have done it and I have to say it was awful. Admitted it was an
appaling day with the weather, but the vibration through the airframe was
unreal. Sarah, my daughter was actually flying the aircraft whilst I was
doing the photos (a photo shoot of Pete Kember's kit 1000 for the PFA
magazine).
Stangely, when we came round for the second attempt at landing (because
all the sensations seemed completely wrong the first time), for some unknown
reason I put my hand up and held the edge of the door frame, at about
forehead level, and suddenly most of the vibrations went away. That
probably means that it was some sort of swirling set up through the single
open door. Maybe both doors off would be a better proposition.
But still, we got the photos in the can, and we know what we will not be
doing again.
Dave Watts
G-BXDY - Monowheel Classic - 912S/Airmaster - 1200 hours
Question: Have anyone tried to fly the Europa without one door?
Problem: we need a platform for some air/air photos of span-cans, and my
AC should be able to fly slow enough...... :-)))
Answer: dismount the right door, but who knows what will happen..?
Regards Gert
#151
OY-GDS
Mono with 914
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