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air.guerner(at)wanadoo.fr
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:25 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

The  installation of my speed kit is now completed and  I made some speed measurements  today.  The results are as  follows:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =  "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 

Without the speed kit, June 2006: altitude FL75, OAT 10  degrees C, that is density altitude <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =  "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />8500 ft, full throttle, 5000 RPM, that  is approx 60 percent power, TAS 133 kts. 

Same  day, same conditions except 4800 RPM, that is approx 55 percent power, TAS 130  kts. 

  

With  the speed kit today: altitude FL75, OAT 11 degrees C, full throttle, 5000 RPM,  TAS 135 kts. 

Same  conditions except 4800 RPM,  TAS 134  kts. 

  

Conclusion: the speed gain is in the 2 to 4 knots  range. 

  

All  flights were with full fuel, no passenger. Estimated weight: 520kg.  All 11 speed kit fairings installed. True  airspeed was computed using the GPS 3 segments  method. 

Best  regards 

  

Remi  Guerner 

F-PGKL, XS  S/N395 monowheel,  912S, Airmaster,  526 hours   

 

    [quote][b]

paul.mcallister

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 177
Location: Waukesha, WI USA

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Hi  Remi,

  

 Only a  couple of knots gain?  Disappointing to say the least.  Did you  have the tail wheel fairing fitted ?  I haven't fitted mine and I am  wondering if it is worth the effort.

  

 Paul

 [quote]   --

air.guerner(at)wanadoo.fr
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:52 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Hi  Paul,

  

 Yes I have the whole  eleven fairings fitted. That includes the tail wheel fairing. I agree this is  disappointing given the up to nine knots gain claimed by the factory. However  all those fairings enhance the look of the airplane, protect the outrigger  mechanism and prevent mud projections from the little wheels... and removed 1.2  kg from my useful load.

  

 Remi

 

Only a couple of knots gain?  Disappointing to  say the least.  Did you have

the tail wheel fairing fitted ?  I  haven't fitted mine and I am wondering if

it is worth the  effort.



Paul

  --

roger.mills(at)btinternet
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 2:48 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Remi,

   

  A few years ago I measured the speed difference "before and after" for my monowheel speed kit over a range of speeds from 90 to 135 kts. The lower speed gain was only about 5 kts but, understandably because drag increases at speed squared, the top of the speed range had an 8 kt gain. Overall, the average gain over this speed range was 6.5kts.

   

  It's a worthwhile improvement in speed especially if you cruise at 120kts+ but I can't help thinking that the design of the fairings could be improved. All of the flap bracket fairings have a very broad trailing edge and the curved, open tops at the back must induce drag as the air curls over into it. 

   

  Regards

  Roger Mills

  G-BVUV

 [quote][b]

raimo.toivio(at)rwm.fi
Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:19 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Hi Remi

  

 My mono is far away and

 cannot verify how many

 fairings I have. I can remember

 four of them /wing and just one

 around tail wheel. That means 9 pcs.

 Just wonder where are two extra.

 Around main wheel? I have not...why?

  

 How did you install the fairing around the

 outrigger mechanism? I did as per

 instructions + soft glued it to the 

 down surface of the wing just to keep

 it clean and nice. Just wonder how

 often I should remove it to make

 some service and spring check of 

 the mechanism. I would like to hope

 they last forever w/o service...

  

 Paul:

  

 about tailwheel fairing; I have it and

 it is painted dark /black cherry (of  course!).

 After every single take-off from any gravel

 strip I have to repaint it. The fairing  material

 itself is also very brittle - so it will not  last

 very many operations  in unprepared strips.

 If asphalt is your runway - It is OK.

  

 I am going to stiffen it somehow  structurally

 and also cover it by 3M damagetape to  protect

 the painting itself. I do like how it looks.

  

 Raimo

 ====

  

 OH-XRT Europa XS Mono #417, DK Endealave 2007 visitor  #2.

 [quote]   ---

air.guerner(at)wanadoo.fr
Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Hi  Raimo,

  

 I confirm the  speed kit supplied by the factory includes eleven fairings: 2 for the outrigger  mechanism, 4 for the flap hinges, 2 for the flap cross tube pivots, 2 for the  outrigger wheels and one for the tailwheel. I managed to install the outrigger  mechanism fairing without gluing it as I wanted to be able to remove it easily  for inspection. The fairings are just bolted at the specified attach points plus  using one screw from the aileron bellcranck inspection plate. I had to reshape  the fairing flanges using a heat gun to get an acceptable  fit.

  

 Remi

  

  

  

 My mono is far  away and

cannot verify how many

fairings I have. I can remember

four of  them /wing and just one

around tail wheel. That means 9 pcs.

Just wonder  where are two extra.

Around main wheel? I have not...why?



How did you  install the fairing around the

outrigger mechanism? I did as  per

instructions + soft glued it to the 

down surface of the wing just to  keep

it clean and nice. Just wonder how

often I should remove it to  make

some service and spring check of 

the mechanism. I would like to  hope

they last forever w/o service...



    [quote][b]

acrojim(at)cfl.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:49 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Remi

  

 I have the XS Monowheel  with the 914 and  Airmaster installed.

  

 Your results are about the same as what we got when  I also installed the speed kit mod. I saw a increase of 3 knots average over  several runs. Several of us here in Florida, USA who have the XS monowheels,  installed the speed kits looking for 10 kts advantage. However it was  not to be.When we tried to get answers from the old management team as to why  this large difference in speed, we sure got the Run Around.....

  

  

 I know in some of the advertisements the old Europa  Co. was (is) advertising 200 MPH cruise speeds for the XS series. I  don't know anyone who is getting that kind of speed. Once again put it down to  manufactures advertising hype.

  

 Jim Brown

 N398JB

 [quote]   ---

peterz(at)zutrasoft.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:56 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Except maybe Dennis Vories :

 

http://www.generalaviationnews.com/editorial/articledetail.lasso?-token.key=5704&-token.src=column&-nothing 

  

 who claims even faster speeds up high (per a now deleted kitplanes radio interview) with his intercooled 914 w/whirlwind

  

 Cheers,

 Pete

 A239 - still apile of parts

 

 

 On 9/20/07, jim Brown <acrojim(at)cfl.rr.com (acrojim(at)cfl.rr.com)> wrote: [quote]  Remi

  

 I have the XS Monowheel  with the 914 and Airmaster installed.

  

 Your results are about the same as what we got when I also installed the speed kit mod. I saw a increase of 3 knots average over several runs. Several of us here in Florida, USA who have the XS monowheels, installed the speed kits looking for 10 kts advantage. However it was not to  be.When we tried to get answers from the old management team as to why this large difference in speed, we sure got the Run Around.....

  

  

 I know in some of the advertisements the old Europa Co. was (is) advertising 200 MPH cruise speeds for the XS series. I don't know anyone who is getting that kind of speed. Once again put it down to manufactures advertising hype. 

  

 Jim Brown

 N398JB

 [quote] ---

fklein(at)orcasonline.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

 	  Quote: 	
		   I saw a increase of 3 knots average over several runs. Several of us  

 here in Florida, USA who have the XS monowheels, installed the speed  

 kits looking for 10 kts advantage. However it was not to be.


	


Though visually attractive, I've had my doubts about the mono speed kit.



For example, the flap hinge fairings have a large frontal area and are  

open at the rear, neither characteristic will IMHO reduce drag. In my  

spare moments I'm working on very narrow FG wrapped balsa skirts which  

slip over the hinge plates and fit w/ minor FG moldings at both the  

pivot point and wing surface intersection. I'll post pixs when I have  

something fitted.



I suspect the biggest source of drag not addressed by the mono SK is  

that of the main wheel and wheel well, something which Alex Bowman has  

a handle on and shown on pixs posted at:

www.europaowners.orgmodules.php?set_albumName=album149&id=DSCN0096&op=mo 

dload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php



The exposed outrigger wheel is a source of drag which the speed kit  

fairing doesn't address. Here are some pixs of a fully enclosed  

outrigger which has a spring loaded afterbody which hinges up when  

flaps are deployed; airstream on mini-tailplane locks it back down when  

flaps are raised...this is a prototype not yet tested in flight...(hey,  

we're building experimental aircraft, are we not?)



Fred

A194

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terrys(at)cisco.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

I believe the biggest improvement in reducing drag  would be found in the engine cowl area.  Closing off the gills would be the  first thing (they add no value to the plane).  Second would be to clean up  the radiator opening and following duct, it is too large for the size of this  engine and is rather messy.  Then clean up the radiator exit, it is  very messy back there.  We carefully installed the Kim Prout main gear  fairings and saw ZERO improvement in cruise speed, which leads me to believe  that the lower cowl exit is so turbulent that fairing in the main gear (or even  retracting it) has little value.  A magazine flight test on the  Europa motor glider reported that there was no improvement in glide performance  gear up vs gear down, which further supports my suspicion on the cowl  problems.

  

 regards,

 Terry Seaver

 N135TD, XS mono-wheel with 912S.

  



   From: owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Fred  Klein

Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:40 PM

To:  europa-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Monowheel speed  kit

 

  	  Quote: 	
		     I saw a increase of 3 knots average over several    runs. Several of us here in Florida, USA who have the XS monowheels, installed    the speed kits looking for 10 kts advantage. However it was not to    be. 

   

	


 Though visually attractive, I've had my doubts about the mono speed kit.  



 For example, the flap hinge fairings have a large frontal area and are open  at the rear, neither characteristic will IMHO reduce drag. In my spare moments  I'm working on very narrow FG wrapped balsa skirts which slip over the hinge  plates and fit w/ minor FG moldings at both the pivot point and wing surface  intersection. I'll post pixs when I have something fitted. 



 I suspect the biggest source of drag not addressed by the mono SK is that  of the main wheel and wheel well, something which Alex Bowman has a handle on  and shown on pixs posted at: 

 www.europaowners.orgmodules.php?set_albumName=album149&id=DSCN0096&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php  



 The exposed outrigger wheel is a source of drag which the speed kit fairing  doesn't address. Here are some pixs of a fully enclosed outrigger which has a  spring loaded afterbody which hinges up when flaps are deployed; airstream on  mini-tailplane locks it back down when flaps are raised...this is a prototype  not yet tested in flight...(hey, we're building experimental aircraft, are we  not?) 



 Fred 

 A194 



  [quote][b]

raimo.toivio(at)rwm.fi
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Thanks Remi

  

 I just forgot those fairings for

 flap cross tube pivots - I have them.

  

 I have had some thoughts to make

 fore and aft fairings for mainwheel

 but probably they would be useful

 only for visual appearance.

  

 The fairings are just bolted at the specified attach points plus using one  screw from the aileron bellcranck inspection plate. 

  

 Good idea.

  

 Raimo

  

  

 [quote]   ---

fklein(at)orcasonline.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Terry,



I totally agree w/ your comments on the standard cowl...Did you check 

out Bowman's fairing? Alex's cowl of course removes the cooling air 

exit from factoring in to potential drag reduction of a main gear 

fairing.



Fred



On Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 02:39  PM, Terry Seaver (terrys) 

wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I believe the biggest improvement in reducing drag would be found in 

 the engine cowl area.  Closing off the gills would be the first thing 

 (they add no value to the plane).  Second would be to clean up the 

 radiator opening and following duct, it is too large for the size of 

 this engine and is rather messy.  Then clean up the radiator exit, it 

 is very messy back there.  We carefully installed the Kim Prout main 

 gear fairings and saw ZERO improvement in cruise speed, which leads me 

 to believe that the lower cowl exit is so turbulent that fairing in 

 the main gear (or even retracting it) has little value.  A 

 magazine flight test on the Europa motor glider reported that there 

 was no improvement in glide performance gear up vs gear down, which 

 further supports my suspicion on the cowl problems.

  

 regards,

 Terry Seaver


	


-- 

This message has been scanned for viruses and

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grahamsingleton(at)btinte
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Terry

I suspect you are right. If an O-360 Lycoming can be cooled with an 

inlet area of only 14 square inches why does it take the same (aprox) to 

cool a Rotax?

Graham



Terry Seaver (terrys) wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   I believe the biggest improvement in reducing drag would be found in the 

 engine cowl area.  Closing off the gills would be the first thing (they 

 add no value to the plane).  Second would be to clean up the radiator 

 opening and following duct, it is too large for the size of this engine 

 and is rather messy.  Then clean up the radiator exit, it is very messy 

 back there.  We carefully installed the Kim Prout main gear fairings and 

 saw ZERO improvement in cruise speed, which leads me to believe that the 

 lower cowl exit is so turbulent that fairing in the main gear (or even 

 retracting it) has little value.  A magazine flight test on the Europa 

 motor glider reported that there was no improvement in glide performance 

 gear up vs gear down, which further supports my suspicion on the cowl 

 problems.

  

 regards,

 Terry Seaver

 N135TD, XS mono-wheel with 912S.

justin(at)systemwise.co.u
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:00 am Post subject: Monowheel Speed Kit

Hi All  

   

We made our own speed kit consisting only of outrigger fairings and wing root fairings. While both are unlike the normal ones we felt the wing fairings made the biggest difference. We have no other speed kit elements, even the tail wheel is naked.  

I designed our wing fairings based on the extensive work done in this area in WW2. This is why they are not unlike the Spitfire ones. They are also less than the optimum shape as the fuselage still has to fit in the trailer.  

My monowheel G-ZTED cruises at 130 kts at 1370 pounds at 1000ft on a standard day. G-ZTED is a Classic with 912S and an Airmaster Prop. & Warp Drive blades.   

William Mills and I had taken flash mouldings of my wing fairings just before his accident. While William had wanted a set for his aircraft we had intended to see if there was enough interest and arrange for someone to make more of them.  

The maximum speed is more about drag and while I don’t have a 914 it is perhaps worth a mention that when I set it up for a cruise decent of 250 ft a minute, put the propeller to manual and coursen it up to produce 4800 RPM I get 155 kts which is a whisker off 180mph (test done with two opposite direction runs on the GPS). This is a reasonable test because you are beginning to hit a wall of drag. It can go a bit faster in this mode as there is a little spare boost below 4000ft but I am reluctant to fly without a margin below Vne.  

I also flew with Ivan Shaw in formation. He was on our starboard wing in another Europa. When we throttled right back for the decent he commented that he was having to use a significant amount of throttle to keep up.   

I know this is all not very scientific but it does appear that, with no speed kit, our fairings make us slippier than most.  

   

I am happy to do more scientific tests if someone can say what. I am still trying to get 73 and the first stage of 74 signed off. I have done the work but the inspector is indisposed.  

   

Safe flying to all.  

   

Justin  

   

Justin Kennedy G-ZTED Classic Monowheel 912S Airmaster with Warp Drive blades  

   

   

   

Flying Story  

I am having loads of fun with mine.  

The Europa is a great aircraft and it keeps coming up with extra thrills. I was flying from Scotland to Belfast City in the Spring. Flying South over the Mull of Kintyre with tail wind of 55kts at 8000ft. I started out across the Irish Sea with 140 kts indicated, corrected for height that would be around 150kt plus. The 55kt tail wind made the GPS ground speed 206 kts. I calculated that I had better start my cruise decent if I was to enter Belfast Loch at 2000ft. I had to throttle back a bit but the GPS ground speed gave 215kts for the first part of the decent which is a whopping 247 mph. Does that count as a dive to Vne? Not quite. It is alright for those used to it but as a lowly PPL the map features on the East coast of Ireland did not hang around long enough to be identified. I nearly missed Belfast City altogether. I had to climb again to slow up and had to side slip on the approach as I had a lot of height to lose.  All very untidy but within limits.  The wind was 25kts about 10 degrees off the runway which I find the Europa quite likes and I landed taxied in taildragger style taking care not to get blown over (propellers costing what they do). I turned into wind rolled to halt and shut down.   

Wow!   

The radar controller met me on the stairs up to flight briefing. He said they had watched me all the way down the coast and were more than surprised at the tiny little white dot that appeared on the approach. All on 18 litres an hour I told him.   

I can’t get enough of this stuff.  

JK  

===  

   

   

       [quote][b]

josok-e(at)ukolo.fi
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:04 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Hi I've and all,



Love the flying story!

I've had my happy misunderstandings too: Between Kokkola and Ivalo, my home base was a large area with very low cloud, impossible to fly through. But over the top looked quit possible, FL110 as max. reported. 

So i left Kokkola and kept climbing, a bit longer on the turbo as usual. It brought me through FL95, the top of the TMA in less then 5 minutes, so i reported area out to Kokkola tower. He told me wrong, i was only 5 NM from the tower, and his TMA is 30 NM across. I had to explain that i was out on top  There is probably not much GA traffic that climbs out on top. Asked and got permission for class Charley up to FL125. Cruise at 65 % power 135 knots indicated, 17 L/h, and 150-155 on the GPS. There was no wind. It got me home all right, would not have been possible with the C172  



Regards,



Jos Okhuijsen

Visit -  www.EuropaOwners.org

grahamsingleton(at)btinte
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:11 pm Post subject: Monowheel Speed Kit

Justin

who's your inspector? Have you talked to Bob Gardiner at Cumbernauld 

(Bridge of Weir) ? Experienced composite inspector.

01505 613327

Graham



Justin Kennedy wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Hi All

 

  

 

 We made our own speed kit consisting only of outrigger fairings and wing 

 root fairings. While both are unlike the normal ones we felt the wing 

 fairings made the biggest difference. We have no other speed kit 

 elements, even the tail wheel is naked.

ami(at)mcfadyean.freeserv
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:12 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

<<Closing off the gills would be the first thing (they add no value to the 

plane).  >>



I tried that.

It made no difference to CHT, oil or water temps. But why would it; those 

systems are cooled independently to what goes on under the cowl.



However, (with the 912S air shroud fitted) the cylinder wall temperatures 

went up SUBSTANTIALLY. So much so that I could easily believe that on a hot 

day and an extended full power climbout they would quickly exceed the 

maximum permitted (190C). Fortunately, I never experienced that 

configuration before finding out this.



By closing the gills, 'competition' for cowl exit area is increased.



On the other hand, the temparature of the alternator regultator didn't seem 

to be affected at all.



Duncan Mcf.

---

josok-e(at)ukolo.fi
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:50 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

My gills are closed, and while i don't have "before" experience, i can confirm it is the cowl air exit that is restricting airflow. I have my OAT probe in the air-inlet box, and it sees warm air, ,where it should only get air from the NACA vent. I have the Singleton firewall, which probably reduces outlet area more then the factory metal one. Temperatures are withing range now, but no real hot weather experience yet. Have a 914 with a shroud!

The next thing i would like to try is to partially or completely close off the original air-inlet openings, to reduce the amount of competing air on the outlet. Comments please!



Regards,



Jos Okhuijsen

Visit -  www.EuropaOwners.org

ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:31 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Hi! Jos

Herewith the picture of a "splash" copy of Peter Kembers Mod for the

cowl inlet ducts which Ivor Phillips kindly produced for me.

The only beef I have at present is the tendency to overheat on a delayed

departure, but many people advise this will ease by about 50 hours on

the clock. 

In the short term I'm considering "jacking" the lower cowl fixings off

the fuselage by about 1" as per my previous success with the

Jabiru/Europa Cowl.



All the top cowl gills are closed and I have an insulated  "bread box"

(as described by Neville!) on the P1 footwell for the Regulator unit and

the Turbo Servo unit with some cold air bled off the cooling air duct.

In flight I've never seen the temps within the box to be more than 32

deg C with ambients around 22 deg C  but without the water and oil check

flaps open on shut down the temps in this box do rise to in the region

of 40 deg C. 



Due to my incapability with shifting files about I'm sending on further

pictures re. this message under another separate message !



Hopefully this is constructive help in the cooling debate?



Regards

Bob Harrison G-PTAG

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josok-e(at)ukolo.fi
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:07 am Post subject: Monowheel speed kit

Thanks Bob, 

Most helpful, the pictures came through good as well. The change on the bottom cowl certainly looks good. Makes me think: What about doing away with that tunnel altogether, and only have something like a boxed radiator on the bottom? It would bring back the beautiful classic look, probably reduce drag, and still having more air flowing through the radiator(s). Comments please  



Regards,



Jos Okhuijsen

Visit -  www.EuropaOwners.org

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