Hi Richard,
So you are still surviving the draconian regulations that now exist in
Kenya!
I converted my Mono to a Trigear a long time ago but I do remember having
problems with the original tail wheel bearings. I returned the first wheel
to Europa because it had grumbly/ sticking bearings from new. The
replacement wheel was just the same so I took the bearings apart and it was
obvious they were very inferior. The balls looked like lumps of lead shot
rather than ground balls. I replaced them with the Aircraft Spruce bearings
and never had a problem after that.
Best regards
Brian Davies
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Richard Lamprey
Sent: 11 January 2011 09:35
Subject: Europa-List: ELTs, tailwheel bearings, carb problems
Greetings from Kenya. I've saved up a few questions for the network,
perhaps someone out there can help.
1. New regulations here dictate that we must now all fly with 406 ELT, and
especially recommended is the Artex 406 (PLBs will not do here). This
requires that for composite aircraft, the skin of the aircraft must have
radial metallic strips, 1 inch wide, in the shape of a 6-point star,
extending out for 24 inches in all directions. Seems a bit excessive for a
Europa, where can we find that space? Behind bagage bay is obvious best
bet. Will alumnium strips work (I have sticky aluminium tape, 2" wide).
Has anyone fitted this arrangement? Does anyome have a mod approval, STC or
something for the Artex 406 installation in a Europa, that I can wave at
aviation officialdom here?
2. My tailwheel goes through bearings at the rate of knots, must be our
dusty runways. But it is costly to fit new tailwheels, when the tyre itself
is fine. Has anyone tried to fit the bearings available from Aircraft
Spruce into the Europa tailwheel?
3. Two weeks ago I got into the Europa (Classic, 912UL), started up, and
had very rough running. Under the hood, found that the left carb was
leaking back through the connection to the plenum chamber, theres a small
hole for water clearance, and fuel was pouring onto the ground. Further
investigation revealed that all this seems to be because of an overflowing
float chamber. The float 'needle' (with viton tip) looks absolutely clean,
no grooves on its face, but no adjustment of the float bracket will stop the
flow. The floats are fine. Has anyone had this problem after just 500
hours of flying? The fuel goes through an Andair gascolator upstream, so I
am not sure what contamination caused this.
Thanks, and all best to all for the New Year!
Richard
Europa 168, Kenya.
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