That vacant monowheel space seemed a real waste to me. I installed a Lexan
window in two parts=2C fixed and sliding=2C and also made the front bulkhea
d out of lexan in an aluminum frame. This allows me to inspect the nosewhee
l suspension and wheel from inside the cockpit=2C do aerial photography=2C
drop hand grenades or anything else I need to get rid of. Could also be use
d for extra ventilation.The window is easily removable for an opening large
enough to stick my head into.The top of the tunnel also has a removable op
ening. I have all the usual stuff coming through the tunnel=2C including Ja
mar based finger brakes=2C but these are mounted to the underside of the fo
rward tunnel=2C completely different and much simpler than the factory solu
tion. Throttle (push/pull with friction lock) and choke are mounted in mini
panel below main panel. So I can still use all of the tunnel for extra sto
rage for maps etc.
The above is best prepared at an early stage=2C before installing the instr
ument and cockpit modules. I cut back the middle lower section of the instr
ument module to expose more tunnel top=2C and I installed re-enforcement bi
d brackets around the bottom opening before bonding in the cockpit module
=2C although that was probably unnecessary.I have no pictures at the momen
t as I am a long way from my aircraft.
Cheers=2C
Karl
From: Gary.Leinberger@millersville.edu
Date: Tue=2C 13 Dec 2011 11:46:39 -0500
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Bottom cut-outs
I also have the tri-gear=2C and have the wheel well area covered with a doo
r. I also cut out the area A (on your drawing) and made one long oval door
between the two round holes . I reinforced this oval opening with thin alu
minum and glass. In addition=2C I put an additional several layers of glass
across the entire bottom and up the sides about 6 inches. In part I did th
is to reinforce the hole I made between the normal round holes and also be
cause a friend with an older Europa said that after a few years his Tri-gea
r developed cracks around the gear supports. The rule is that you have to r
eplace a cut out area with some multiple of the area removed (4?=2C 6?). I
probably went over board and will see the costs of my over- reinforcement n
ext month when we do the weight and balance (I have nightmares that I have
built a single person plane ' and that person must be skinny ' somethin
g I am not.) I would not be too happy about cutting out more as in area B
in your drawing ' especially after the cockpit is in and you can=92t rei
nforce the surrounding glass from the inside. ' although the way the cock
pit module is glued in means the structure is really strong. Although my g
as valve is on the top of the cockpit module center armrest I did cut out t
he provided cutout for the gas value on the co-pilot side of the cockpit mo
dule. This approximately 6=94 hole does provide some access. The other app
roach is to move the parts so they are accessible. I have been through seve
ral revisions of the fuel system to make it maintainable. The rule I have f
ound is that it takes 1 X of time to make it work=2C 2 X to make it work an
d be maintainable=2C and 3x of time to make it work=2C be maintainable and
be pretty. Or maybe you can get your spouse (with hopefully small hands) or
a small child to do that part of the maintenance. Gary LeinbergerA237Real
near flying (except for just a few =93little=94 things) From: owner-europ
a-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]
On Behalf Of Sidsel & Svein Johnsen
Sent: Tuesday=2C December 13=2C 2011 10:39 AM
Subject: Europa-List: Bottom cut-outs When I installed the fuel hoses in th
e then not yet installed cockpit module(supply line=2C return=2C drains=2C
sight tube)=2C I did not think about renewing the hoses. Now=2C I realize
that access to some of this is difficult=2C at best. I built my plane with
a cut-out in the bottom where the monowheel would have been (mine is a tri-
gear)=2C with a hinged hatch door for easy access to gascolator=2C fuel pum
p=2C drains=2C Andair fuel selector valve=2C etc. It is=2C alas=2C too tig
ht to reach further back and do much there. I know that some have cut out t
he bottom between the two round tank outlet inspection hatches ' see the
green area A on the attached sketch. I cannot see that this weakens the c
onstruction=2C but on the other hand it may not give me the access I would
like. Has anyone cut out the red area=2C marked B? If so=2C how has it bee
n covered/the area reinforced? Although the very strong cockpit module pro
bably carry the loads on its own=2C this part does give some contribution t
o strength. I can see ways to maintain the strength when a cover plate is
bolted in place=2C but if anyone has already tread this path=2C I would app
reciate to know the details. Regards=2CSveinLN-SKJ
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