Hi Graham, Niels,all.
I have followed this thread on first flights. I just did mine and had no
doubts doing it myself. I waited a long time for the right weather though. I
would not let any consideration regarding x-winds low ceilings etc., disturb
me.
You have to be current on tailwheels (cub's are fine), and not allow the
nose of the A/C to wander from the centerline. Stick in the stomach to
aileron-bite-speed and there you are. My take offs and landings are
non-events.
Hans
----- Original Message -----
From: "Graham Singleton" <grahamsingleton@btinternet.com>
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 1:24 AM
Subject: Re: Europa-List: builder test flying his own creation?
> <grahamsingleton@btinternet.com>
>
> Niels
> good to see you here! I suspect that some monos ARE prone to ground loop
> and some aren't. Similarly some pilots are and some aren't. Two variables
> equals four times the risk, if you see what I mean.
>
> It is important to have full 13 degrees of up elevator to give enough down
> force with the tail wheel on the ground. that will give an AoA on the
> elevator of about 3 degrees? At 20 knots there isn't much force.
> It's also important that the pilot recognises the incipient yaw as soon as
> it starts because as soon as rotation starts momentum builds up and there
> isn't enough rudder/tailwheel resistance to stop it. Add the confusing
> effects from the outriggers rocking side to side and the pilots gyro will
> start to topple ?:-)
>
> In the USA the number of accidents to builders first flighting is
> depressingly high, (not just Europas) we spend all our waking hours
> thinking and doing the build and tend to neglect our flying skills. Then
> we try and fly an aircraft with unknown characteristics which might not
> even be true to type.
>
> Hope to see you over here one day?
>
> Graham
>
>
> Niels Kock wrote:
>> Paul, I am not sure that i quite agree with you, that if at all possible
>> the builder should refrain from
>> test flying his own Europa.
> I cannot, however, but ponder the number
>> of accidents having occurred to builders test flying their own Europa. Am
>> i wrong in assuming that
>> this number is very small ?
>
> --
> Graham Singleton
>
> Tel: +441629820187
> Mob: +447739582005
>
>
>
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