Tony,
The weight issue is not unexpected. The conversion to
conventional gear is a wash. It trades off. The gross weight issue that
an airframe will weigh in the upper 700's to low 800's is only for the
original Europa. The XS is a heavy unit in comparison. That is not
noted anywhere. My aircraft grossed out at 910# The airframes coming
out of Flight Crafters run from high 800's to low 900's. So the increase
in gross weight by 70# over the original Europa will just cover the
increase in the final kit weight. When I did my weight and balance I
found that it was right where it was suppose to be. (books are at the
airplane) When running calculations of weight in the baggage compartment,
adding of a 100# only moves the cg a small amount which still remains
well within limits (details if you want). So the Europa stated gross
weight is very conservative if its ability. However, it does effect the
maneuvering speed (it is a bit lower). If you check throes aircraft which
can do aerobatics, you must keep the gross weight lower so you will not
exceed the "g" limits on the airframe. I wish I could have weighed my
plane before and after I painted it. Paint is very heavy and your local
painter will "put it on to look nice". I know my paint is on heavier
than it should be. BTW, my airframe does not have upholstery other than
a speckle paint. That is lighter than full coverage with fabric. My
panel is a "6" pack with out the DG. I have a small hand held GPS and
one radio, transponder and EIS engine monitor. I have 9# on my external
40A alternator, and 1# on my electric rudder trim.
Bob's conventional gear set up matches the Mono-wheel in vertical
positioning and in horizontal positioning. So prop clearances are the
same. It does look sexy compared to the others. I have my cockpit
module modified to do the conversion if I want to. That added about 10#
also to my gross weight. So I guess I added about 25# to the original
design. That still puts me in the 875# gross weight range.
SO that is my comments on the conventional gear. Now that I have
seen his finished, I think I would have done mine that way. Keeps you
---From having to get the "retract time" problem with the insurance co.($$$)
Jim Nelson
N15JN
(still like my Mono-wheel)
>
> Jim,
> Do you have an opinion on the weight issue? I was very interested
> with Bobs mod,
> especially as I havent yet bonded in my cockpit module. This is the
> time for me to
> install the blocks for the maingear should I decide to go that way.
> His a/c though
> is 920 lbs, and he explains that as being due to several other
> modifications he has
> made. I haven't asked him how heavy his mod alone should make a
> conventional
> a/c, but I got scared off with the weight. 100 + pounds is a lot of
> lost flexibility,
> even with the Gross weight increase. I 'd appreciate any suggestions
> you might
> have with my dilemna.
> Reg
> Tony Renshaw
>
>
> > James Nelson <europajim@juno.com> wrote:
> >
> <europajim@juno.com>
> >
> > Ron,
> > Bob is flying his conventional gear version of the
> Europa.
> > It
> > sure is a pretty bird. He has about 40 hours on it right now.
> When
> > he
> > put his wheel pants on it the aircraft gained over 8 Knots (the
> test
> > pilot says it was 13K but whos counting). It is a sexy looking
> > aircraft
> > on conventional gear. Contact Bob at flight Crafters and he will
> > give
> > you what information you need. When I built my Mono-wheel I put
> > inside
> > the airframe the components to incorporate the conv. gear if I
> wanted
> > to.
> > So If I get tired of the Mono-wheel, I'll convert to the
> > conventional
> > configuration. Yes it has more room as Bob cut down the console
> > area.
> >
> > Jim Nelson
> > N15JN
> >
> >
> > <u1c04209@mail.wvnet.edu>
> > writes:
> > > <u1c04209@mail.wvnet.edu>
> > >
> > > Greetings,
> > >
> > > Long time observer of this list but this is my first post.
> > >
> > > I am getting real close to making the commitment to build a
> Europa
> > > XS. I really like the option with the two sets of wings. I have
> a
> > > few questions though.
> > >
> > > (1) At Oshkosh a couple years ago, I saw an Europa at the
> Europa
> > > booth with conventional landing gear (actually have a picture of
>
> > > it). I have done some research and can't seem to find much
> > > information on this since then. Is this an option or mod from
> the
> >
> > > factory? Is there a company that provides this option?
> Has
> > > anyone done this mod and can give me feedback? Why has the
> > > factory not offered this mod, when they had it on display at
> > > Oshkosh?
> > >
> > > (2) Can anyone give me opinion or feedback about the pro's and
>
> > > con's of the conventional gear mod? One thing I can think of is
> it
> > > would free up some tight cabin space in the thigh and leg area
> due
> > > to a not needed mono retract wheel.
> > >
> > > (3) I did see a company that has this mod available but nothing
> by
> > > the company or pilots about this mod. I am not set in stone
> about
> > > this mod, but it has several appealing qualities. I just need to
>
> > > know if its technically safe and sound and 'airworthy'? I will
> list
> >
> > > the web page of this company.
> > >
> > > http://isuisse.ifrance.com/CCandE/europa.htm
> > >
> > > Please tell me all I need to know. Is there any web sites or
> > > archives that I can look at to answer some of these questions.
> > >
> > > Rick Heis
> > > Morgantown, WV, USA
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ========
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _-
> ============================================================
> =======
> > ===
> > _-
> ============================================================
> =======
> > ===
> > _-
> ============================================================
> =======
> > ===
> > _-
> ============================================================
> =======
> > ===
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
|