Dear All,
I am delighted to be able to report that at 23.00 UTC (Midday local) on
1st January 2007, my Europa XS Trigear (ZK-POG - formerly G-WEEM, kit
584) slipped the surly bonds of earth for the first time in the hands of
test pilot John Martin at Tauranga airport, New Zealand. The first
flight lasted 20 minutes and she performed faultlessly - a pleasure to
fly. There was only the slightest wing drop in a full flap power on
stall, and otherwise she has no vices. The grin has started and will
only get bigger when I get my hands on the controls. I'd like to thank
all those wonderful people who helped with the build and final
preparations for today's momentous event, in particular Andy Draper, Nev
Eyre, John Wheeler and everyone at Europa 2004 and especially Matthew
Russell. Having emigrated and brought her out almost complete, here in
NZ my thanks go especially to Rex Kenny of the CAA, Bill Sisley
(President of the SAANZ) and Colin Alexander of Rotax fame and Mike
Chubb and Mike Edgey of Northland Aviation.She now has to go through 40
hours of test-flying which will be shared between John Martin and Bill
Sisley before I can do my type rating. What better New Year's present
could there be!
Cheers everyone.
Nigel Harrison
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