Hi Gary, Dwight,
My partner, Dave DeFord, and I have a monowheel XS with the 912S and
Airmaster prop. We built it first with short wings, with our first
flight in 2001. We have since built the long wings, and have been
flying with them about two years now. Even with the relatively light
912S, we are a little nose heavy with the long wings on. We were warned
by Dave Anderson that we might need some ballast in the tail when we
switched to the long wings, and he was right. Installing a diesel
weighing considerably more would create serious weight and balance
problems.
As far as registration, our plane was registered as a homebuilt
aircraft, not necessarily SEL. When we talked to our FAA examiner about
re-registering the plane as a motorglider, he said we only needed to
send him a letter describing the change to the plane, and he would sign
it off and send it back to us, requiring a nominal fly off of a few
hours. If it is flown as an SEL and the pilot is legal to fly SEL, then
that is what it is. If is equipped consistent with a motorglider, and
the pilot has the proper rating, then it is a motorglider.
Theoretically, if we put a rotor mast on it, and get the proper rating,
it could also be an autogiro (after sending our FAA examiner a
description of the change and getting a sign off from him).
Regards,
Terry Seaver
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Gary
Leinberger
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 7:04 PM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Diesel Europa tri-gear MG?
<Gary.Leinberger@millersville.edu>
It is a good project idea - I am building my Europa MG tri-gear with
full IFR with the same ideas . I have both sets of wings but will fly
first with the short ones. I did think about a bigger engine but
settled on the 912S. Unlike hot rods - more power is not necessarily
good - there are very real problems of weight and balance as well as
structural strength with a bigger engine - as well as handling. And more
power won't necessarily translate into more speed or performance. There
is also a safety issue - besides weight and balance. The airfoil, wing
area and stabilators are designed for certain speeds and weight - fly at
over the weight limit or speed limit and very bad things can happen.
The plane as designed is very nice, and any mods greatly increase the
build time - as I have learned the hard way.
As for only two seats - I can only think of a few trips in 38 years of
flying where I had more than 2 people in a plane.
I looked at attaching a BRS (I have one in my Kitfox Lite) but it would
require a complete re-engineering of the airplane. And in the Europa (as
in the SR-22) use of the chute destroys the plane. Better to build and
fly so you don't need it - and it only helps in very limited situations
(like an in-flight structural failure at altitude - it won't help in
situations where most accidents happen - take-offs and landings - since
the chute can't deploy fast enough.)
Realize that with the glider wings the carrying weight is reduced as the
wings weigh, I think, 100 pounds more than the short wings.
Be sure you register the plane as a motor glider even if you build the
short wings first as it is very difficult to change the classification
after registering as a SEL.
There is a guy in Utah or Nevada that flies up to 22,000 ft. in his
"Mini-U2" with oxygen. I think he has the 914 Turbo. I think his name is
Dave Anderson(?). He had a web site that was pretty good. It may still
be on the club site.
I would suggest the high top and extra width mod (I am 6 ft tall and
have wide shoulders) - this also gives you a higher windshield that
greatly increases the viewing area. And it appears to not hurt
performance.
Gary Leinberger
A237
________________________________________
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of craig bastin
[craigb@onthenet.com.au]
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 6:59 PM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Diesel Europa tri-gear MG?
I would suggest you have a look at the MGL EFIS panels, which will give
you the IFR, autopilot gear you need, at a great price compared to most
of the
others. The Smart 1.5l turbo diesel comes in at 95hp, which is about the
same as the rotax engines, fuel consumption runs to about 5 litres an
hours
good luck, sounds like a good project.
craig
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Dwight Van
Zanen
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 5:47 AM
Subject: Europa-List: Diesel Europa tri-gear MG?
I am new to this system of communication. If you can direct me to
somewhere to get this information, please let me know.
I have been interested in a Europa for some time and would like your
advice on the feasability of a diesel tri-gear, long wing; with aux fuel
tank, IFR GPS coupled to autopilot with altitude hold, BRS and oxygen
systems. I have looked into the WAM 120 from Weisch Airmotive, but open
to alternatives. I am in the USA where an Experimental glider can be
flown without a medical, night and IFR if properly equipped. Here are
some reasons for my question:
1. Long range: Use a turbo-diesel at 3gph, aux tank, perhaps 2000NM in
economy cruise?
3. GPS direct:
4. Low fuel cost: See #1
5. More safety in a SEL: great power-off glide, diesel fuel, add a BRS
6. Easier to make modifications: EXP, pretty simple systems
7. Cheaper for maintenance: Do it yourself mostly
8. Steady IFR platform: wingspan of 47.25 feet
9. Higher altitudes: turbo-diesel, add oxygen system
10. Remove the wings, take it home in a trailer. No hangar rental.
11. Higher speeds: 150kts TAS @ 10k, turbo for altitude.
12. No medical required for a registered glider in the USA, even for
night and IFR if equipped.
And on the negatives:
13. Reduced to 2 seats. Solo for long range flights. Possible to
increase useful load with more power?
14. Initial cost to buy/build and set it up the way I want it.
15. Necessity of getting the glider rating and self-launch endorsement.
16. No toilet. Not needed with my current plane, but Porta-John works.
17. ? I know some people consider EXP a negative, but see 1-12...
Most of my flying has been solo or with one passenger anyway, retired
with grown kids mostly on the other coast. The MG idea would not work
for everyone, but it seems like it would work for me better than my
current plane does. And the FAA rules allow night and IFR in a properly
equiped MG without a medical. May be valuable as I get older. Thanks
for any advice or comments on feasability. And if anyone is doing
something similar, I would love to hear from you.
Dwight B. Van Zanen
22426 262 Ave. SE
Maple Valley, WA 98038
(425) 432-2213
dbvz@hotmail.com<mailto:dbvz@hotmail.com>
[http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/images/smilies/upload1/blueplane.j
pg]
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