Hi Richard,
I have an Artex ME406 fitted behing the baggage bay, with the antenna
inside the fuselage. I have copper strips curving up the side of the
fuselage and longditudinally in a square for a groundplane. We have had
a number of problems with this ELT in New Zealand:
1) The self-test routine seems to have been made over-sensitive to
various problems, and many people have had a "failed" self test saying
there is a problem with the antenna or groundplane. Artex finally
admitted there was a problem and suggested using a longer length of coax
to increase the impedance. Our local avionics man after extensive
testing of my unit thinks there might also be a problem with radiation
---From the antenna supressing the unit from transmission if the antenna is
mounted close to the ELT. Apparently the units supplied for helicopters
have metal screening of the unit to prevent this. On metal aircraft with
the antenna outside the fuselage this is not a problem. It took us many
months to get my unit to pass the self-test.
2) There is a problem with the g switches becoming corroded, and several
have failed to activate in a crash. We currently have an AD requiring
regular checks of the gswitch. Artex are working on this problem.
3) Several helicopters with this unit fitted have had the antenna break
off in a crash so the unit has been inoperative. This shouldn't be a
problem with the antenna mounted inside the fuselage.
In summary, this unit has not been trouble-free in New Zealand, though
Artex are working on the problems. Might be worth asking them about
progress if you are going to use this unit.
Regards,
Keith.
Keith Hickling,
New Zealand.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Richard
Lamprey
Sent: Tuesday, 11 January 2011 10:35 p.m.
Subject: Europa-List: ELTs, tailwheel bearings, carb problems
Greetings from Kenya. I've saved up a few questions for the network,
perhaps someone out there can help.
1. New regulations here dictate that we must now all fly with 406 ELT,
and especially recommended is the Artex 406 (PLBs will not do here).
This requires that for composite aircraft, the skin of the aircraft must
have radial metallic strips, 1 inch wide, in the shape of a 6-point
star, extending out for 24 inches in all directions. Seems a bit
excessive for a Europa, where can we find that space? Behind bagage bay
is obvious best bet. Will alumnium strips work (I have sticky aluminium
tape, 2" wide). Has anyone fitted this arrangement? Does anyome have a
mod approval, STC or something for the Artex 406 installation in a
Europa, that I can wave at aviation officialdom here?
2. My tailwheel goes through bearings at the rate of knots, must be our
dusty runways. But it is costly to fit new tailwheels, when the tyre
itself is fine. Has anyone tried to fit the bearings available from
Aircraft Spruce into the Europa tailwheel?
3. Two weeks ago I got into the Europa (Classic, 912UL), started up,
and had very rough running. Under the hood, found that the left carb
was leaking back through the connection to the plenum chamber, theres a
small hole for water clearance, and fuel was pouring onto the ground.
Further investigation revealed that all this seems to be because of an
overflowing float chamber. The float 'needle' (with viton tip) looks
absolutely clean, no grooves on its face, but no adjustment of the float
bracket will stop the flow. The floats are fine. Has anyone had this
problem after just 500 hours of flying? The fuel goes through an Andair
gascolator upstream, so I am not sure what contamination caused this.
Thanks, and all best to all for the New Year!
Richard
Europa 168, Kenya.
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