Bud,
I checked the measurements multiple times and also did as you noted below.
Still get the same measurements using your method. Guess I've got a scale
problem. I will try some other scales with some friends at the airport that
have weighed other planes.
Also got a note from Ivan warning against putting extra weight on the engine
so I won't be doing that. Hopefully it's just my scales reading incorrectly
at high weights. I'm also going to try loading them up with known weights
to check.
Thanks for the help.
Hope you have a good week at Sun-n-Fun!
Bill
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bud Yerly
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2019 6:37 PM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Weight and balance
Rain and frontal passages this time of year is always a concern for a day or
so.
I don't want to insult, but make sure you are measuring the correct joggle.
Basically it is the cowl line. If you are using the front of your cowl or
the joint line for an XS that would be about an inch and a half off if you
are measuring from the joint line or cowl face. The measurement for the
zero datum is not the cowl face. It is the original prop flange distance of
the prototype Classic.
The joggle on the molding of all Europas is 29.25 inches aft of the datum.
Level the plane at the door sill or your level data point. Drop a plumb bob
---From the left and right joggle and draw a line between them. From that line
measure 29.25 inches forward of that horizontal line and you have the zero
datum. Measure then the main and tail wheel for the mono from that point.
Recalculate your datum using the above and take a hard look at the detail in
chapter 6 of the POH and I believe you will solve your balance issue.
Best Regards,
Bud Yerly
Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
10
_____
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
<owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com> on behalf of Bill
<europa10@bellsouth.net>
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2019 3:44:19 PM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Weight and balance
Bud,
Thanks for the response.
Don't guess I'll get to stop by Sun-n-Fun this year as the boss has said NO
even though we will be close going through Tampa on the 6th..
Hope it doesn't flood you out like last year.
Here's what I've got:
912ULS
Monowheel Classic with tail wheel mod and 1370 lbs. mod.
With the plane level, using the front face of the cowling as station 0 per
the manual.
Tail wheel at station 208 (78.5 lbs.)
Main wheel at station 46 (Manual says it should be around 47 to 47.5. I've
checked and doubled checked but still get 46 inches.) (683 lbs.) That extra
1 - 15 inches would sure make a difference.
Battery on top of the passenger foot well.
Nothing in the rear other than ELT and strobe power supply under baggage
bay.
I've checked the scales and they appear to be weighing correctly but will
check again. They weigh correctly with me on them.
I just finished a bracket that bolts to the gear box and plan on adding 30
lbs. there to balance things out and keep CG within limits for most flight
configurations.
I will probably take it to the airport and get some of my buddies to double
check me with another set of scales.
Thanks,
Bill
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bud Yerly
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2019 2:54 PM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Weight and balance
It is rare to have a Rotax 912S or 914 tail heavy.
If your aircraft has a very light panel, a 912 (80HP) no exhaust muffler, is
equipped with a light weight wood prop and the battery in the rear, I would
expect that may happen.
(Typically a mono tail wheel weight is around 80 pounds. Your 30-40 pounds
sounds like you put in S-Tec servos from 1970 in the rear, made com wire and
antenna out of #2 cable to get that heavy. Also, a Deutz tractor gasolator
(about 10 pounds) from 1965 added also would increase the tail weight that
much.)
Solutions:
Move the battery in the rear to the pax footwell.
A constant speed propeller is expensive but ideal if you need weight.
Airmaster 332 3 blade 26 pounds)
If you added heavy structure for autopilot servos that weighs 10 pounds
apiece, get rid of them.
Finally:
Recheck your scales. (I always stand on mine each to make sure each scale
is dead on and still calibrated well right before I weigh.)
Always make sure the tare weight of structure raising the tail to level
flight is subtracted out. Check the math.
Make sure the fuel tank is empty.
Keep us posted. It's probably just a math and weight error.
Best Regards,
Bud Yerly
Custom Flight Creations
Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
10
_____
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
<owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com> on behalf of Bill
<europa10@bellsouthnet>
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2019 7:15:28 AM
Subject: Europa-List: Weight and balance
Hello everyone,
After 20+ years I am now close to finishing my monowheel classic.
Initial weight and balance shows the aircraft is tail heavy and needing 30 -
40 pounds of weight added in the engine compartment to get the CG where I
want it. The current empty weight is 801 pounds.
I would like to ask what others have experienced, where they added weights,
etc. Currently I'm planning on adding weight on top of the Rotax gear box
as there are available bolt holes and room for the weight (5x5 steel bar).
Thanks,
Bill
N51EU
Europa Monowheel Classic
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