AndyIngold@aol.com wrote
>- Is it realistic that a first time builder can undertake this task?
Yes. That's what I plan to do.
>- What is a realistic build time?
1500 - 3500 hours have been quoted.
>- Does the finished Europa receive a permit to fly,
Yes, provided you can convince the necessary people that it is merited.
> as for example a C172
>would?
But C172s don't generally have permits - they have Certificates of
Airworthiness.
> are there any restrictions with a home-built?
Permits to fly as issued under the PFA homebuilders scheme have several
restrictions - no night, no IMC, no flying over towns, must be less than
certain weights and horsepower.
>- What sort of ongoing costs are required for running the aircarft?
Insurance, fuel, annual re-issue of permit, oil, oil filters, saving up for
a new engine after 1200 hours, landing fees, storage if you don't keep it
at home, repair/replacement of anything you break, etc.
>- What sort of insurance costs should be expected (and how does it work)?
No insurance is required for aeroplanes in UK! However many places you
might want to fly in to will require that you have public liability
insurance (like car third-party). Also, if you are worried by your
investement getting damaged by your own piloting or being stolen, etc, you
might want hull insurance too. Some of these points were covered in the
insurance session at the recent Europa Club seminar at Shoreham.
Doubtless you will get other views on these items. I make it clear that I
haven't (yet) started my Europa kit building.
Now the advice you didn't ask for!
1: Join the Popular Flying Association (PFA). That is money well spent even
if you never build your own, as they focus on other ways of staying in the
air at minimum cost. If you have a WWW browser point it at:
http://www.hiway.co.uk/customer/aviation/public/pfahome.html
2: If you want to know more specifically about the Europa, join the Europa
Club. As I'm the Membership Secretary, you can see I'm a little biassed!
E-mail me for details, and/or point your browser at:
http://www.avnet.co.uk/europa/index.html
3: Talk to as many people as possible who have built/operated the design
you favour. Be prepared to read between the lines, as people may not always
be willing to admit that they have made an expensive mistake. Items 1 & 2
will help in meeting these sort of people.
4: Building an aeroplane is _not_ a trivial undertaking, and will take
several years of calendar time. Find out if other members of your family
(eg spouse) will be supportive for the duration of such anti-social
activity.
Hope this helps
cheers
Rowland
... that's Rowland with a 'w' ...
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