Karel,
Of course that is so true and is indeed a tip for beginners (and others)
Pete
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of karelvranken
Sent: 14 June 2007 11:40
Subject: Re: Europa-List: builder test flying his own creation?
Peter,
Clear and comprehensif. I only will ad that grass is more forgiving than
hard runways hence a tip for beginners.
Thank you,
Karel Vranken, # 447 F-PKRL.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Jeffers" <pjeffers@talktalk.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 10:26 AM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: builder test flying his own creation?
>
> 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
12:50
12:50
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