Ron,
What Andy is saying is that it is important, neigh essential, that the wings
are kept level when the aircraft is on the ground. Remember that all other
conventional tail draggers are kept this way by the u/carriage and in
general only ground loop when pilots do not correct yaw with rudder. The
Europa is different because it will roll as it yaws. Most pilots are not
used to using aileron during ground rolls prior to lift of and after
touchdown.
If the Europa develops a yaw to the right say, it will, if you do nothing
about it, roll over onto the left outrigger. Due to the high centre of
gravity of the loaded aircraft, as the yaw increases the rolling effect
toward the left outrigger increases. Very soon after this the left wingtip
touches the ground and the rest is history (many times demonstrated)
To prevent a dangerous yawing excursion developing it is necessary firstly
to keep the wings parallel to the ground. Hence as a yaw to the right
becomes apparent, although you are going to apply left rudder to correct the
yaw, you will also need right aileron for a while to pick up the down going
wing. IE as Andy says, use the controls in the opposite sense to that in
flight.
Only if the wings can be kept reasonably level at all times will ground
looping be avoided.
The greatest cause of a yaw developing in the first instance is touching
down with the tail wheel offset from straight. If you do, it immediately
throws in a significant yawing force which is not easy to correct. Kicking
off drift and then centering the rudder immediately prior to ground contact
is therefore essential. The greater the crosswind the greater the drift
that needs to be removed and the greater likelihood of not getting it quite
right. Hence the cross wind limits I would recommend for early flights of
not more than 7kts from the left and 10kts from the right(Rotax912/914
powered aircraft). I would also apply the same limits to the take off.
Looking well ahead in the flare to some point slightly to the left of the
runway centre line will help to reduce the tendency to align the cowling
centre with the runway centre line.
I submit these comments as a Europa pilot of some 850hrs Mono and 350 hrs
Trigear. I have also sat with and converted many other Europa owner/pilots
in my capacity as PFA CRI. Oh yes and by the way I have ground looped a
Europa myself. A long time ago but I have vivid memories.
Pete Jeffers
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-serve r@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
rparigor@suffolk.lib.ny.us
Sent: 14 June 2007 02:12
Subject: RE: Europa-List: builder test flying his own creation?
Reading Andys comment Europa Flyer No 37:
"With the wheel in contact with the ground any yaw resulting in a
direction change will cause a roll in the opposite direction, therefore
the opposite aileron input will be needed compared to that in flight.
Better to concentrate on maintaining directional control."
I don't quite understand what he is saying about roll.
I understand directional control is paramount.
If left yaw begins, "Right now" correction is needed with right rudder.
Is he saying that although right rudder will be needed to correct left
yaw, a bit of left aileron (opposite aileron compared to rudder input) is
needed to level wings?
Ron Parigoris
21:42
21:42
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