Paul,
You forgot the passenger. You know the Europa doesn't like heavy people!
Karel Vranken. # 447 (only 37 hours).
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul McAllister" <paul.mcallister@qia.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 5:01 AM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: What's up with the cost of 914?
> <paul.mcallister@qia.net>
>
> Andrew,
>
> I wish I could give you a "one liner" but I can't, although it has been
> said
> that Burt Rutan proposed a test. He said that if you were thinking of
> adding something to your aircraft then throw it in the air. If it doesn't
> stay there then it probably shouldn't be put on your aircraft.
>
> Seriously though, its a more of a mind set thing. You win the battle by
> shaving off grams, not kilograms. Put a 100 grams here, a 100 grams
> there,
> and next thing you have added a kilo or two.
>
> The lightest Europa built was around 730 pounds I believe which was an
> amazing achievement. I suspect that the builder just scrutinized
> absolutely
> every thing. The things that add weight are:
>
> - Modifications
> - Modifications
> - Modifications
> - Filler
> - Primer
> - Paint
> - Upholstery
> - Constant speed propellers
> - Instrumentation
> - High redundancy electrical systems.
>
> Some trade offs you choose to have, for example a high redundancy
> electrical
> system (I have one) but, once you talk yourself into one thing its a
> slippery slope.
>
> If you want to get specific help, see if you can get a listing of the
> Europa
> weights and contact the builders who have built light aircraft. The
> lightest 914 mono I could find was 790 pounds.... I sure wish mine was
> that
> light.
>
> Paul
>
>
>
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