Yes, the natural tendency started the event but I was late correcting
and then over controlled and ended up pointing in the other direction.
Not sure why the tail lifted but probably the combination of a tail wind
and brakes.
Brian
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Pete
Sent: 02 April 2017 14:16
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Re: Considering the purchase of a 2nd hand kit
Interesting example....thx for sharing. Did the tail rise because of
downwind full aft stick? Im confused why you were pointing downwind and
not weather-cocked into the wind ( which i would have thought would have
ben the planes natural tendency)?
Cheers and thx,
Pete
On Apr 2, 2017, at 4:56 AM, Brian Davies <brian.davies@clara.co.uk>
wrote:
The Mono vs Trigear debate could go on for ever and there is no clear
winner. Here is my take on it for what it is worth.
I built my Europa as a Mono. Prior to flying it I had about 15 hours
tailwheel experience in a J3 Cub. I would describe myself as only an
average pilot who has work to stay sharp and current. I received expert
conversion training and then flew some 20 hours of the most challenging
and enjoyable kind. I then got too confident and tried to land on
tarmac with a 90 degree 5-10 knot crosswind. It got away from me but
the runway was 45 metres wide so no real drama. Just as the aircraft
was coming to a stop at 90 degrees to the runway heading and with the
wind now up my tail I touched the brakes and it tipped on its nose .
The cost was three new Airmaster blades and an overhauled hub. It was
my fault, not the aircraft. The lesson I learned was- you can never
relax with a Mono- you must always keep on top of it. Once you get
below a certain speed if you are still out of shape you become a
passenger because you have no differential braking to save the day.
I considered my situation and decided the Mono was great fun but I
wanted to do some European touring and felt I would enjoy it more with a
Trigear so I converted. With the speed kit fitted it is probably 5
knots slower but I don=99t notice that. Once in the air I cannot
tell the difference between the two configurations. I have never
regretted my decision to convert but if asked I would always advise
someone building a Mono to go for it and enjoy the challenge. Yes,
conversion is much harder than going Tri during the build but handling
a Mono is one of those flying experiences that should not be missed.
Brian Davies G-DDBD
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Pete
Sent: 01 April 2017 23:08
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Re: Considering the purchase of a 2nd hand kit
Fwiw, I had the generous opportunity to fly with Tim in his fine Mono a
few years back, and didn't notice any strange handling issues - in fact
he showed me two landings to prove it :) I did't get the impression it
was any busier than a normal taildragger either. Thanks again Tim! I
had the same observations on my other three mono demo flights. For sure
it would have different techniques with the outriggers than a 'normal'
taildragger, but nothing that couldn't be easily learned. Up here in
canada, the young air cadets train on gliders without disaster. I for
sure will build mine as a mono, as the mono's attributes are what
attracted me to the plane in the first place, and the entire structure
is based on the compact and efficient design. For sure it is less busy
on the ground than my short coupled and inadequate tailed hummelbird :-)
That said, the tri "gold rush" that is for sale would be the most
economical way to get into a europa (the current north american resale
values for europas has plummeted, simply due to their sparse numbers,
and fickle NA flyers preference to match hole sonex's and RV's).
So far i have not yet flown another type that is so beautifully
harmonized, stable and yet responsive. DD did his homework well! I still
love this design this 19 years after i first did my research.
Cheers and blue skies,
Pete
C-IPWZ (not a europa ;)
On Apr 1, 2017, at 1:54 PM, Pete Lawless <pete@lawless.info> wrote:
Hi Ira
I agree totally with Tim. In fact in the last 15 years since my mono
has been flying I have never noticed any tendency to tip the nose down
on braking regardless of the G of G.
You just need soft hands on the ailerons to keep the wings level. If
you over control and push the outrigger into the surface then it affects
the C of G, unloads the tail wheel and a ground loop is waiting to
happen.
Having owned a share in a Cub I think the mono is neither harder nor
easier just different.
Pete
G-RMAC #109
On 01/04/17 18:15, houlihan tim wrote:
Hi Ira
"Prop strikes on Mono's are common". What makes you say that ?
In the UK there is no noticeable difference between aircraft insurance
premiums for tri gear and mono, which tells you something .
Sure if you brake hard while turning you can upset things but the
accident rate is very similar for both types.
I have had my 912 mono classic flying for 15 years now and yes I broke a
prop ( only once) but as I attempted to land rounding out about ten feet
too high I blame the pilot (me) not the configuration , indeed in a
similar situation a tri gear would not only have damaged the prop but
also the nosewheel.
Better pilots than me have described the mono as no more difficult to
operate than a piper cub, Having only been a passenger in a cub I cannot
give an opinion on that.
The mono is a tail wheel aeroplane and behaves like one,
regards
Tim
G-BZTH
On 01 April 2017 at 17:30 rampil <mailto:ira.rampil@gmail.com>
<ira.rampil@gmail.com> wrote:
<mailto:ira.rampil@gmail.com> <ira.rampil@gmail.com>
To further your consideration, the mono wheel also has a spinny thing
on the front end which is absent from most gliders. Prop strikes are
also
common with monowheels. Depending on you CG loading, a tap on
the brake might just rock you forward! Fortunately (if one can say
that in this context), the combination of carbon fiber prop and
Rotax gear box usually prevents expensive engine damage.
--------
Ira N224XS
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