Strike, Edward (ANTS)<edward.strike@ants.co.uk> wrote:
> I am interested in the differences between the Classic Europa and
> the XS.
Following is from Factory Newsletter #18 (Nov 1977), talking about the then
new XT:
Best regards,
Nick Hammond
Improvements to the aircraft,
We have developed a completely new firewall forward for Rotax 912 and 914
engines.
New, more aerodynamically clean cowls with a single inlet for water and oil
cooling gives less drag and an estimated 5 knot on max. speed.
Although the engine has been raised 1.5" giving greater prop clearance, the
top cowl line has been lowered giving a better over the nose field of view.
Note : This new firewall forward package will be available to all our
builders who have yet to fit their engine.
The engine has also been moved forward 4" and this has given us the
opportunity to extend the pilot's side footwell by nearly 2" giving greater
leg room.
A new cockpit module moulding gives increased "bum" and leg space.
Initially we were giving the retracted wheel plenty of room by restricting
space for both pilot and passenger, a rather dumb thing to do. Therefore
this has now been remedied giving maximum space in the cockpit.
The cockpit rear bulkhead has been moved aft by approximately 14" more than
doubling the available baggage space.
A weight reduction programme is in force -moulded wings, moulded fin etc...-
and should reduce the average Europa by 25 to 30 lb., therefore giving an
increased useful load.
A new tail wheel assembly as discussed gives easier ground handling.
Developments of an extra auxiliary fuel tank (9 imp. gallons) that fits into
the passenger side baggage area. This moulded tank kit will be available for
both XS and existing Europas. The tank has a moulded handle and can be
installed in seconds on an "as and when required basis".
At economy cruise the auxiliary tank gives the Europa over a 1000 mile with
reserve range!!! We maybe now need to follow this with a "pee tube" mod!!
A new slightly higher aspect ratio wing has been developed with increased
washout that is moulded from pre-preg materials similar to the fuselage. New
narrower chord, greater span ailerons have been incorporated.
The new wing gives a slightly increased rate of climb and better altitude
capability, a crisper roll/acceleration rate and quite a marked improvement
in the slow speed handling near the stall.
The stall itself is more benign with very little tendency to drop a wing
even when the ball is not dead centred.
Some of this improvement could be attributed to the moulded wing which very
accurately reproduces Don's aerofoil.
Speed mod kit
A speed mod kit is being developed to reduce drag to a minimum. It will
consist of a spat for the tail wheel and fairings for all the flap hinges
and outriggers.
Kim Prout by fitting a tail wheel spat and outrigger fairing is achieving
150 kts max. speed at sea level on a standard 80 hp Rotax 912. Fit a turbo
914 to Kim's aircraft and apply the same 80 hp (which is 75% max. continuous
power for the 914) at 10,000 ft and you have a 200 mph cruise.
Remember the only thing that stops us doing 350 kts in the Europa is drag,
and the faster you go even small amounts of drag reduction give quite
significant pay offs.
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