I really want to thank the many people who answered my questions, you saved me
a lot of time, and I learned what I wanted. Very refreshing, not even the
Lancair
List was quite as quick in replying to questions.
I also appreciate the comment to keep it as standard as possible. I really
learned
that lesson building the Lancair, which probably took twice as long as it
could or should have, and it just got heavier!
In summary, I will leave the intercooler out initially, I will leave the cockpit
width as is, I now have the missing oil reservoir mount template, and I got
some excellent ideas for the autopilot mount. I am still thinking about about
a step like the RV-7 but in front of the wing as a possibility, probably for
later.
Thanks to everyone.
Jerry
On Oct 3, 2012, at 4:51 PM, Jeremy Fisher wrote:
> I recently took over a Europa XS project that has most of the structure now
> complete.
I am based at an Airpark on Cape Cod in the US, and previously built
a Lancair 360.
>
> After going through the aircraft and all of the books, I have a couple of
> questions,
and would be grateful for any inputs or advice. In particular:
>
> 1. I just bought a refurbished Rotax 914. Is it worth the hassle to fit an
intercooler? The advice from the outfit that refurbished it is not to bother,
as the engine will adjust for any issues with the temperature of the inlet air.
>
> 2. Access to the cockpit appears to be pretty awkward. Has anyone tried to
install a step to assist, or is it easier to get in than it looks? In addition,
do you need to reinforce the wing upper surface where you have to step to get
in, or is it strong enough to take size 10 boots?
>
> 3. I am far from impressed by the cooling set up, and I know that lots of
> people
have modified the standard system. Has anyone used the Laminova oil to water
cooler, and if so, which size did you use, and what was the result?
>
> 4. Where can I find the pattern for the oil reservoir mounting plate? My
> manual
refers to it, but it seems to be missing from my documentation.
>
> 5. For those of you who are not cursed with the LAA, has anyone installed an
autopilot pitch servo connected to the system without changing the lateral pitch
tube as per the factory installation? It would be both expensive and fairly
difficult for me to change it at this build stage. I am considering a couple
of alternatives and would like to learn from anyone else's experience.
>
> 6. My wife and i are both pretty skinny (she is slender, i am skinny!). Do
you find that widening the cockpit at the shoulders as per the Mod List is worth
it, or do you not have any problem with the standard cockpit in practice?
>
> Thank you for any advice that you can offer.
>
> Jerry Fisher
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