Great comments Erich. I can stand by everything you have said.
Meet up again next Oshkosh, if planned to go ahead, and I have been vaccinat
ed!
Cheers,
Tim
Sent from my iPad
Tim Ward
12 Waiwetu Street,
Fendalton,
Christchurch, 8052
New Zealand.
ward.t@xtra.co.nz
021 0640221
> On 30/05/2021, at 4:10 AM, Erich Trombley <erichdtrombley@juno.com> wrote:
>
> =EF=BBHello Chris,
>
> You inquired about the utility of the Europa Monowheel as a cross country p
lane, specifically as it pertains to winds. In the eighteenth years of flyi
ng my Monowheel all over the United States I have never been grounded due to
high winds other than flying into my home field. I have landed the mono in
some pretty strong and gusty winds flying in the desert southwest during th
e summer months.
>
> Gusts are certainly the biggest concern with the Europa or any other small
plane for that matter. Just last week we had a Piper Arrow crash on landin
g due to strong gusting winds. The pilot was flying into Las Vegas from Sou
thern California. The plane was totaled. See photo below.
>
> I landed in similar conditions a couple of months ago. On the first landi
ng I had just touched down when I was launched back into the air by a gust.
The wind was 18 kts gusting 30 kts with a 50 degree crosswind from the righ
t. Rather than try and save the landing I did a go-around. The tower ask
me to state my intentions. I told him I would give it one more try before h
eading to another field in the area with more favorable wind conditions. L
as Vegas is in a bowl with mountains surrounding the valley. Fortunately, w
e have a couple of airports on the other side of the mountains which make fo
r good alternates which I have availed myself to on occasion (especially if t
he wife is on board as she hates the bumps).
>
> I came around for the second attempt and fought it all the way down to the
ground. The gusts were horrendous. I was jockeying the power like a fight
er pilot making a carrier landing. I was carrying quite a bit of power when
I crossed the threshold. Flying just a foot or so off the runway I chopped
the power and set the plane down. I am sure it wasn=99t pretty but I
did get her landed. The tower commented on the gusty conditions and I resp
onded, =9CI think I found the limits of the plane.=9D
>
> I have landed in steady winds up to 35 kts with varying crosswinds. I lan
d using the crab technique, kicking out the tail and lining up with the cent
erline during the flare and aileron to control drift. If I can straighten o
ut the plane with the rudder on short final I will attempt the landing. If n
ot, then I am landing at another airport. BTW, I make all my landings with f
ull flaps regardless of the winds. I do, however, take off with partial fla
ps though.
>
> The Europa is a marvelous cross country plane and I wouldn=99t hesit
ate taking it anywhere. That=99s not to say I don=99t take the
weather and winds into consideration, I do. In fact, I have have made plen
ty of unplanned layovers due to weather. It=99s the old adage,
=9CIf you fly by air, have time to spare.=9D The Europa has its limit
ations just like any other small plane. Plan accordingly.
>
> Blue skies,
> Erich Trombley
> N28ET Classic Mono 914
>
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