Hi fellow builders,
After numerous inquiries for pictures of our almost finished bird, I
decided to send them via the list. (The gallery didn't work).
Pictures are preliminary, as we are sure to produce better ones when we
finally get some sunshine again.
Apart from that it is "just another Europa", there are a few things
worth noticing on this airplane:
- It is a "stealth" high top. It has nor the aquarium style front
window, nor the blown up upper cowling (not intended to insult anyone
with a different taste of course!). This is "halfway between mod 64A and
mod 64B".
- We did some rigorous things with the cooling duct. We used the
standard radiators, but with a diffuser and expansion area, and a
movable cowl flap. On the pictures the cowl flap is closed.
- On the nose of the cowling there are two naca ducts with a shroud
exactly aimed at the cylinders, to get a stream of air from top of the
engine downwards, instead of a stream of air from the front to
downwards. The front inlets are intended to be used by landing lights,
but we will leave them open until we have done some tests in flight.
- The nose wheel shaft is extended by 1 inch to allow more prop clearance.
- Note the wing fairings, they are designed by Fred Klein, and enhance
the look of the airplane and most likely improve the air stream.
- The high top mod allows for a larger instrument panel. We decided to
abandon the standard instrument module completely and built our own. It
is in fact hardly larger than the standard Europa module, but because it
doesn't feature all these space wasting edges and curves, there is much
more panel space available.
- We have harnesses that are fixed to a (reinforced!) area on the upper
fuselage. This will eliminate the risk of spinal compression.
On one picture: the proud builders together with their airplane.
Although I'm the one communicating via this list, I should point out
that I actually built the airplane together with my wife. She has a PPL
to, and knows as much about airplanes as I do. As you can expect, we
were always reviewing each others building work, to insure the best
quality of work.
If the gallery works again, we will upload some pictures of the build
process.
Oh, and we are aware of the acronym DIY in English speaking countries.
We deliberately selected this registration! ;-)
The airplane has a Rotax 914 intercooler with a Woodcomp SR3000W/2 prop.
Weight is still unknown but it is for sure not going to win the light
weight contest. ;-)
Frans
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