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Wing missing mass balance reassess

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tonyvaccarella

Joined: 10 Sep 2014
Posts: 68
Location: Australia

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 3:06 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Hello all,



I just joined this forum today - I live in Sydney Australia and have recently got possession of a partially built Europa XS (tailwheel) from the USA. 



While taking stock of the equipment I noted that the aileron mass balance reassesses that should have been installed prior to wing close-out are missing.



Point here is that the wings are definitely closed - so before I even begin, I need to sort out this problem. Has anyone come across this before. Will I need to open the wind again (if that is possible) or can I install the reassesses at this late stage.



Regards,

Tony Vaccarella

_________________
Tony Vaccarella
Mascot NSW 2020
Sydney Australia

tonyrenshaw268(at)gmail.c
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 3:43 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Hi Tony,

No help with an XS wing except to say I have heard of the wing being opened with the careful application of heat, that no doubt others might be able to comment on. Otherwise I live in Hornsby Heights Sydney, also building a Taildragger, so, welcome to the Europa fraternity. You will find this list invaluable and whilst little things have frustrated me along the way, the Europa engineering, the way it was originally designed and then brought out as a kit so we could have a crack, I still admire. 

Regards

Tony Renshaw

0414391887



Sent from my iPad



 	  Quote: 	
		   On 13 Sep 2014, at 1:06 pm, "tonyvaccarella" <tony(at)weimagine.com.au> wrote:

 

 

 

 Hello all,

 

 I just joined this forum today - I live in Sydney Australia and have recently got possession of a partially built Europa XS (tailwheel) from the USA. 

 

 While taking stock of the equipment I noted that the aileron mass balance reassesses that should have been installed prior to wing close-out are missing.

 

 Point here is that the wings are definitely closed - so before I even begin, I need to sort out this problem. Has anyone come across this before. Will I need to open the wind again (if that is possible) or can I install the reassesses at this late stage.

 

 Regards,

 Tony Vaccarella

 

 --------

 Tony Vaccarella

 Mascot NSW 2020

 Sydney Australia

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=430477#430477

Fred Klein

Joined: 26 Mar 2012
Posts: 503

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 10:10 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

On Sep 13, 2014, at 4:06 AM, tonyvaccarella <tony(at)weimagine.com.au (tony(at)weimagine.com.au)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  While taking stock of the equipment I noted that the aileron mass balance reassesses that should have been installed prior to wing close-out are missing. 	




Tony…I don’t recall any previous discussion on this forum of the situation which you face.

I too have heard of judicious application of heat being used to undo Reduxed joints, but I’ve no experience doing so.

Given that the previous builder of your kit made this omission…and I’ll say a rather fundemental omission at that...if I were in your shoes, the first thing I would do is slowly and carefully verify that EVERYTHING ELSE which was required to have been installed prior to wing close-out was in fact accomplished.

If everything else is satisfactory, I would then explore the possibility of cutting out the underside of the wing at the trailing edge so that the mass balance recess could be inserted and reinforced…I’d consider the possibility of creating some flanges which could support the moulded recess.

I do not have the background or knowledge to give any advice…I can only describe how I would imagine myself dealing w/ this problem.

Be aware that there have been some wings shipped w/ the pre-moulded locations for the mass balance recess moldings mis-aligned (as were mine)…in which case, preparation for those moldings was a bit more complicated. I believe there is an advisory from the factory on how to deal w/ this situation.

Proceed w/ caution,

Hope this helps,

Fred



 [quote][b]

davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:23 pm Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Tony, I wouldn't even contemplate taking the whole upper 

wing surface off. If there is any question of opening the 

wing up then a small local patch could , I guess be cut 

out and subsequently repaired, probably best from both 

cosmetic and aerodynamic views, on the undersurface. It is 

very difficult to do any heat produced modifications on 

any sizeable area. Getting a spar pin socket out of the 

seat back works nicely if you blow a heat gun down the 

hole, but I would hesitate to try anything bigger. But 

what you really need is an inspector with fibreglass 

skills, and ideally someone who is a professional glider 

repairer. I assume there must be one or more such persons 

in Oz as glider pilots not infrequently get it wrong and 

make a bit of a mess of their plane, and very extensive 

damage can be repaired to as new standards. But there are 

strict principles for maintaining the strength of the 

structures. Alternatively, speaking as a retired 

gynaecologist, I suspect it might be possible to put 

modified recess bits in through the hole in the close out 

possibly by say cutting in two vertically and patching 

over the join line.

    Regards, David  Joyce, G-XSDJ

On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 04:06:46 -0700

  "tonyvaccarella" <tony(at)weimagine.com.au> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

<tony(at)weimagine.com.au>

 

 Hello all,

 

 I just joined this forum today - I live in Sydney 

Australia and have recently got possession of a partially 

built Europa XS (tailwheel) from the USA. 

 

 While taking stock of the equipment I noted that the 

aileron mass balance reassesses that should have been 

installed prior to wing close-out are missing.

 

 Point here is that the wings are definitely closed - so 

before I even begin, I need to sort out this problem. Has 

anyone come across this before. Will I need to open the 

wind again (if that is possible) or can I install the 

reassesses at this late stage.

 

 Regards,

 Tony Vaccarella

 

 --------

 Tony Vaccarella

 Mascot NSW 2020

 Sydney Australia

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=430477#430477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Un/Subscription,

Forums!

Admin.

budyerly(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:36 pm Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  Tony,

 Often there is little precious room in the wing for poorly built (or just  factory assembled and glued up) aileron weights.

 Many times I have to cut the top off the supplied boxes and flanges to  get the weight box to fit the customers (or factory NG assembled)  ailerons.

   

 To be brief: you will fabricate a weight box as we did in the Classic  wing which was all foam (Reference page 8-14).  The exercise above is easy  and often times fits the wing and aileron weights much more accurately.   When finished you will have a bit more sanding to do, but it is worth it.   

  

 REMEMBER-  Since the rear of the wing is cut out, what you are doing  is adding back in shear load structure.



  

 One solution is to use foam of about 3/8 inch thick or more, on each  side of the mass balance arm hole and at the front.  Lay 2-3  layers of glass around the closeout.  You may recess the foam an inch from  the opening and make a closeout as in the aileron.  This recessed closeout  is a strong C section, but will require filling or it will look nasty.  Use  more foam to fill the gap with a bit of expand cell and cover with 2 oz cloth  for neatness.

  

 Or as we did in the Classic, install the foam about 3/16 inch from the  aileron weight with rapid epoxy.  Cut a generous flox corner at  the junction of the foam to top, bottom, and aft closeout skins.  Be  sure to run the glass along the upper surface and butt it at the lower  skins.  Let the glass hang past the skins a bit and peel  ply.  Trim after cure.  I prefer the latter as there is less  filling, but in my opinion, the former aileron style closeout is a stronger  joint with the glass flat on both the upper, lower and aft closeout.  It  takes another step to fill and clean up as it is a big hole...

  

 Cutting the wing open for essentially a close out of 4 plies is too hard to  recover from in time and money.

  

 Congratulations on your purchase.

  

 Study your build manual hard, ask questions and hone your skills.

 You will be rewarded with a great aircraft.

  

 Best Regards,

 Bud Yerly

 US Europa Dealer

 [quote]   ---

Wing_Build.pdf

Description:

Download

Filename:

Wing_Build.pdf

Filesize:

1.79 MB

Downloaded:

266 Time(s)

jan_de_jong(at)casema.nl
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:37 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Tony,

All good advice IMO: carefully inspect the inside as much as possible, 

do not try to remove the wing lid, find a local solution.

http://www.europaowners.org/main.php?g2_itemId=37071 shows my wing 

before bonding the lid on.

As you can see I removed the mass balance box mold tops before bonding 

the lid on.

After bonding the lid on I laid up on the inside of the box to the lid. 

Advice of Neville Eyre.

I hope this gives an idea of what is aimed for.

Jan de Jong



On 9/13/2014 1:06 PM, tonyvaccarella wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Hello all,



 I just joined this forum today - I live in Sydney Australia and have recently got possession of a partially built Europa XS (tailwheel) from the USA.



 While taking stock of the equipment I noted that the aileron mass balance reassesses that should have been installed prior to wing close-out are missing.



 Point here is that the wings are definitely closed - so before I even begin, I need to sort out this problem. Has anyone come across this before. Will I need to open the wind again (if that is possible) or can I install the reassesses at this late stage.



 Regards,

 Tony Vaccarella



 --------

 Tony Vaccarella

 Mascot NSW 2020

 Sydney Australia

wdaniell.longport(at)gmai
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:46 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

I agree with Jans advice...I had to remove the wing closeout and you cant do it without destroying it. Â Its a messy job to do.

Will



William Daniell



LONGPORT

+57 310 295 0744

 

On Sun, Sep 14, 2014 at 8:36 AM, Jan de Jong <jan_de_jong(at)casema.nl (jan_de_jong(at)casema.nl)> wrote:

[quote]--> Europa-List message posted by: Jan de Jong <jan_de_jong(at)casema.nl (jan_de_jong(at)casema.nl)>

 

 Tony,

 All good advice IMO: carefully inspect the inside as much as possible, do not try to remove the wing lid, find a local solution.

 http://www.europaowners.org/main.php?g2_itemId=37071 shows my wing before bonding the lid on.

 As you can see I removed the mass balance box mold tops before bonding the lid on.

 After bonding the lid on I laid up on the inside of the box to the lid. Advice of Neville Eyre.

 I hope this gives an idea of what is aimed for.

 Jan de Jong

 

 On 9/13/2014 1:06 PM, tonyvaccarella wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		   --> Europa-List message posted by: "tonyvaccarella" <tony(at)weimagine.com.au (tony(at)weimagine.com.au)>

 

 Hello all,

 

 I just joined this forum today - I live in Sydney Australia and have recently got possession of a partially built Europa XS (tailwheel) from the USA.

 

 While taking stock of the equipment I noted that the aileron mass balance reassesses that should have been installed prior to wing close-out are missing.

 

 Point here is that the wings are definitely closed - so before I even begin, I need to sort out this problem. Has anyone come across this before. Will I need to open the wind again (if that is possible) or can I install the reassesses at this late stage.

 

 Regards,

 Tony Vaccarella

 

 --------

 Tony Vaccarella

 Mascot NSW 2020

 Sydney Australia

 

 	
 

 ====================================

 pa-List" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

 ====================================

  FORUMS -

 _blank">http://forums.matronics.com

 ====================================

 b Site -

 Â  Â  Â  Â  Â  -Matt Dralle, List Admin.

 target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 ====================================

 

 

 

 [b]

JonathanMilbank

Joined: 14 Apr 2012
Posts: 391
Location: Aberdeen area

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 3:40 am Post subject: Re: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Tony,



I can't add much to the advice of others and my wings are the Classic early foam-cored type, so what I'm about to say may be irrelevant for XS wings. It is important to keep constantly in mind when creating the recesses that when the ailerons eventually get attached, their trailing edge downward deflection is limited by the mass balance weights touching the underside of the wing top surface. You need enough deflection for rigging adjustments.



In the Classic the tolerance for downward aileron deflection is very tight and so it was imperative not to add too much thickness under the wing upper surface by adding unnecessary extra layers of anything. After attaching the aileron hinges to the wings, I was careful with temporarily attaching the mass balance foam arms and lead weights using 5 minute epoxy to ensure that the arms weren't angled too much upwards from the leading edges of the ailerons. Also allow a millimetre or so for the thickness of the "uni" glass straps which eventually get wrapped around the mass balance arms and their weights.



What the others have already advised you all seems like good stuff to me.

tonyvaccarella

Joined: 10 Sep 2014
Posts: 68
Location: Australia

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:23 am Post subject: Re: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Thank you to all the people who have posted a reply to my post. I will be making a close inspection of the aircraft with my technical adviser tomorrow and hopefully some information will come from that meeting.



Thank you all once again.



Tony

_________________
Tony Vaccarella
Mascot NSW 2020
Sydney Australia

tonyvaccarella

Joined: 10 Sep 2014
Posts: 68
Location: Australia

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 5:59 am Post subject: Re: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Hello again,



Well I think I have finally worked out what's happened. I only took possession of this aircraft 2 weeks ago and been busy reviewing what I have and what is missing.



The aircraft was sold to me as an XS and came from the USA s/n A011 but on closer inspection of the wings seemed to show that they are foam core. So I think I was sold a Europa Classic. It is for this reason that the mass-balance reassesses are missing at that they are not cut out. In reviewing the Builders Manual for the Classic Wing, the mass balance boxes are not provided and need to be build. Also the reassess  is constructed AFTER the wing is closed. 



I feel releaved in one way but annoyed in another that I was sold a Classic when I was assured it was an XS.



Has anyone heard of this happening before - should I be concerned with the Classic as compared to the XS?



Thanks once again..



Tony

_________________
Tony Vaccarella
Mascot NSW 2020
Sydney Australia

rowlandcarson(at)gmail.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:07 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

On 15 Sep 2014, at 14:59, tonyvaccarella <tony(at)weimagine.com.au> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   The aircraft was sold to me as an XS and came from the USA s/n A011 but on closer inspection of the wings seemed to show that they are foam core. So I think I was sold a Europa Classic. It is for this reason that the mass-balance reassesses are missing at that they are not cut out. In reviewing the Builders Manual for the Classic Wing, the mass balance boxes are not provided and need to be build. Also the reassess  is constructed AFTER the wing is closed. 

 

 I feel releaved in one way but annoyed in another that I was sold a Classic when I was assured it was an XS.

 

 Has anyone heard of this happening before - should I be concerned with the Classic as compared to the XS?


	


Tony - it appears that kit A011 was sold by the factory in 1995 so it’s pretty certain to be a Classic, as the XS didn’t come along until about 2000.



No doubt opinions will vary, but I wouldn’t worry too much about the difference between the XS and Classic wings. There are also differences in the fuselage (eg XS has larger baggage bay) but having flown in both models, I don’t feel the differences are enough to get hot under the collar about.



There are examples of combinations of XS and Classic parts - I think some Classic wings are flying on an XS fuselage, and some Classic fuselages have XS firewall-forward stuff.



Did you get the build manuals as issued by the factory with that kit? Did you get any construction and/or inspection documentation from the original builder(s)?



in friendship



Rowland



| Rowland Carson          ... that's Rowland with a 'w' ...

| <rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com>            http://www.rowlandcarson.org.uk

| Skype, Twitter: rowland_carson      Facebook: Rowland Carson

| pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/rowlandcarson

nigel_graham(at)m-tecque.
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:17 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Tony,



The original "classic" kits were sold in three phases, Kit one was tail 

planes with rudder, fin, flaps and ailerons. Kit two was the blue foam 

wings and kit three was the fuselage.



There are many Europas out there that started life with "Classic" blue 

foam wings, but by the time their builders were ready for the fuselage 

kit, the "New" XS was available, so many of them ended up as hybrids.

The good thing is that there is absolutely nothing "second rate" about 

the earlier wings. They are slightly shorter than the XS and have 

shorter but deeper ailerons and are reputed to weigh less (I haven't 

weighed mine to check), but fly just as well.

The XS fuselage had a 2" deeper left hand footwell to address complaints 

from early flyers that the legroom was a bit lacking (why Europa didn't 

extend both footwells I have no idea), so a quick check to see it you 

have an XS fuselage is to see if these are the same depth or not.

Other XS differences include an integrated fin (no longer a need to make 

the blue foam fin and stick it on), pre-moulded fuel drain cut-outs 

under the fuel tank and slightly different foam reinforcement around the 

rear of the cockpit module by the rear "D" bulkhead.



If you do have this combination of foam wings with XS fus, you can feel 

happy that it is XS'ish. If however, the fus is the earlier "Classic" 

then you may be justified contacting the seller for a "robust" discussion.



Either way, you have it now and I doubt you are going to ship it back to 

the States. Just get to grips with the build and have some fun, you'll 

end up with a fantastic little plane.

I have copies of all of the original Blue Foam build manuals in pdf 

format. If you would like a copy, email me off list and I'll send them on.



Nigel



On 15/09/2014 14:59, tonyvaccarella wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Hello again,



 Well I think I have finally worked out what's happened. I only took possession of this aircraft 2 weeks ago and been busy reviewing what I have and what is missing.



 The aircraft was sold to me as an XS and came from the USA s/n A011 but on closer inspection of the wings seemed to show that they are foam core. So I think I was sold a Europa Classic. It is for this reason that the mass-balance reassesses are missing at that they are not cut out. In reviewing the Builders Manual for the Classic Wing, the mass balance boxes are not provided and need to be build. Also the reassess  is constructed AFTER the wing is closed.



 I feel releaved in one way but annoyed in another that I was sold a Classic when I was assured it was an XS.



 Has anyone heard of this happening before - should I be concerned with the Classic as compared to the XS?



 Thanks once again..



 Tony



 --------

 Tony Vaccarella

 Mascot NSW 2020

 Sydney Australia





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=430565#430565

davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:27 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Tony, The XS is a superior plane but not by a lot and the 

Classic still outperforms most other small aircraft. There 

are a number of modifications that are applicable to the 

Classic which give it most of the advantages of the XS. 

Principle amongst these are a strengthening bar between 

the rear lift pins to allow the Max All Up Wt to be 

increased to that of the XS (ie from memory to 1370lbs), A 

new design of baggage bay to give much more room for 

luggage and moving the rear wheel back from its original 

Classic position under the rear fuselage to sit on a tail 

spring extension a foot or so behind the back of the fus, 

with this significantly improving ground handling. If all 

these are incorporated then one could say more or le3ss 

honestly that it had been uprated to XS spec. If not 

already incorporated then it is a smart move to plan to do 

so.

Regards, David Joyce, G-XSDJ



On Mon, 15 Sep 2014 06:59:11 -0700

  "tonyvaccarella" <tony(at)weimagine.com.au> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

<tony(at)weimagine.com.au>

 

 Hello again,

 

 Well I think I have finally worked out what's happened. 

I only took possession of this aircraft 2 weeks ago and 

been busy reviewing what I have and what is missing.

 

 The aircraft was sold to me as an XS and came from the 

USA s/n A011 but on closer inspection of the wings seemed 

to show that they are foam core. So I think I was sold a 

Europa Classic. It is for this reason that the 

mass-balance reassesses are missing at that they are not 

cut out. In reviewing the Builders Manual for the Classic 

Wing, the mass balance boxes are not provided and need to 

be build. Also the reassess  is constructed AFTER the 

wing is closed. 

 

 I feel releaved in one way but annoyed in another that I 

was sold a Classic when I was assured it was an XS.

 

 Has anyone heard of this happening before - should I be 

concerned with the Classic as compared to the XS?

 

 Thanks once again..

 

 Tony

 

 --------

 Tony Vaccarella

 Mascot NSW 2020

 Sydney Australia

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=430565#430565

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Un/Subscription,

Forums!

Admin.

pete(at)lawless.info
Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:40 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Hi Tony



Have a look in the wing root where the aileron push rod goes in. You 

will be able to see the blue foam in there.



Just need to be careful of the stall characteristics if the wing is 

foam, as the original leading edge profile can get screwed up by the 

filling and sanding.  Can all be sorted out easily by fitting short 

stall strips to the root end of the leading edge.



Regards



Pete



PS Kit one was fin, rudder, stabiliser.  Flaps and ailerons came with 

the wings.



G-RMAC #109 very definitely not XS with foam wing!



On 15/09/14 16:17, Nigel Graham wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nigel_graham(at)m-tecque.co.uk>



 Tony,



 The original "classic" kits were sold in three phases, Kit one was 

 tail planes with rudder, fin, flaps and ailerons. Kit two was the blue 

 foam wings and kit three was the fuselage.



 There are many Europas out there that started life with "Classic" blue 

 foam wings, but by the time their builders were ready for the fuselage 

 kit, the "New" XS was available, so many of them ended up as hybrids.

 The good thing is that there is absolutely nothing "second rate" about 

 the earlier wings. They are slightly shorter than the XS and have 

 shorter but deeper ailerons and are reputed to weigh less (I haven't 

 weighed mine to check), but fly just as well.

 The XS fuselage had a 2" deeper left hand footwell to address 

 complaints from early flyers that the legroom was a bit lacking (why 

 Europa didn't extend both footwells I have no idea), so a quick check 

 to see it you have an XS fuselage is to see if these are the same 

 depth or not.

 Other XS differences include an integrated fin (no longer a need to 

 make the blue foam fin and stick it on), pre-moulded fuel drain 

 cut-outs under the fuel tank and slightly different foam reinforcement 

 around the rear of the cockpit module by the rear "D" bulkhead.



 If you do have this combination of foam wings with XS fus, you can 

 feel happy that it is XS'ish. If however, the fus is the earlier 

 "Classic" then you may be justified contacting the seller for a 

 "robust" discussion.



 Either way, you have it now and I doubt you are going to ship it back 

 to the States. Just get to grips with the build and have some fun, 

 you'll end up with a fantastic little plane.

 I have copies of all of the original Blue Foam build manuals in pdf 

 format. If you would like a copy, email me off list and I'll send them 

 on.



 Nigel



 On 15/09/2014 14:59, tonyvaccarella wrote:

> 

> <tony(at)weimagine.com.au>

>

> Hello again,

>

> Well I think I have finally worked out what's happened. I only took 

> possession of this aircraft 2 weeks ago and been busy reviewing what 

> I have and what is missing.

>

> The aircraft was sold to me as an XS and came from the USA s/n A011 

> but on closer inspection of the wings seemed to show that they are 

> foam core. So I think I was sold a Europa Classic. It is for this 

> reason that the mass-balance reassesses are missing at that they are 

> not cut out. In reviewing the Builders Manual for the Classic Wing, 

> the mass balance boxes are not provided and need to be build. Also 

> the reassess  is constructed AFTER the wing is closed.

>

> I feel releaved in one way but annoyed in another that I was sold a 

> Classic when I was assured it was an XS.

>

> Has anyone heard of this happening before - should I be concerned 

> with the Classic as compared to the XS?

>

> Thanks once again..

>

> Tony

>

> --------

> Tony Vaccarella

> Mascot NSW 2020

> Sydney Australia

>

>

> Read this topic online here:

>

> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=430565#430565

>

JonathanMilbank

Joined: 14 Apr 2012
Posts: 391
Location: Aberdeen area

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:12 am Post subject: Re: Wing missing mass balance reassess

The foam filled Classic wings are definitely lighter by something like 10 lbs each. As regards the extended spring-arm tail wheel, I'll go to my grave insisting that the original tail wheel (direct cable linkage and no springs) is better with far less propensity to ground looping. I have about 700 hours in my own original tail wheeled aircraft and did the test flying of my friend's aircraft with extended tail wheel for the initial permit issue.



No, it isn't that I'm more accustomed to my own aircraft which causes me difficulty in keeping straight after landing in his machine. I have no doubt after several hours in his and I'm certain that the springs built into the linkage cause a lag in response whenever anyone applies pedal either way.



These springs are a feature of both the factory extended tail wheel modification and the more tidy-looking extended tail wheel design by Graham Singleton. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has experience with both the factory- and the Singleton tail wheel designs.



I understand why the factory saw fit to redesign the tail wheel arrangement and I accept that it probably helps during take off in a crosswind, but I believe that it makes matters worse for landing in a crosswind. I look forward to a reply from Graham perhaps to offer a suggestion as to what, if anything, might be done to improve tail responsiveness particularly after landing. Perhaps tighten the springs?



In the meantime, I strongly recommend that Tony should fit a tricycle undercarriage, as I have recently done and enjoy stress-free landings.

ptag.dev(at)talktalk.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 5:22 am Post subject: Wing missing mass balance reassess

Hi! Tony. I was sold a hybrid classic wings and xs cockpit module but also paid for a mono and trike conversion by the factory and was somewhat miffed to find the new quick build wings were about to hit the market! I placated my self by the thought that the foam filled wings or parts of them may float if ditched!  Since then I am very happy to have abandoned the mono concept and have landed in 35 knot cross winds and have done 1200 hours landing in every country in Europe. My friends think I need my "bumps" feeling for flying to Texel direct over the North Sea in 1 hour 45 ! Still I guess you wouldn't be much of a similar mind in O Z! Just get it completed and join the satisfied Europa owners .

Regards Bob Harrison. G-PTAG (kit 337 first flew 06/09/2000.

From: tonyvaccarella

Sent: 15/09/2014 15:59

To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Wing missing mass balance reassess

--> Europa-List message posted by: "tonyvaccarella" <tony(at)weimagine.com.au>

Hello again,

Well I think I have finally worked out what's happened. I only took possession of this aircraft 2 weeks ago and been busy reviewing what I have and what is missing.

The aircraft was sold to me as an XS and came from the USA s/n A011 but on closer inspection of the wings seemed to show that they are foam core. So I think I was sold a Europa Classic. It is for this reason that the mass-balance reassesses are missing at that they are not cut out. In reviewing the Builders Manual for the Classic Wing, the mass balance boxes are not provided and need to be build. Also the reassess  is constructed AFTER the wing is closed. 

I feel releaved in one way but annoyed in another that I was sold a Classic when I was assured it was an XS.

Has anyone heard of this happening before - should I be concerned with the Classic as compared to the XS?

Thanks once again..

Tony

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Tony Vaccarella

Mascot NSW 2020

Sydney Australia

Read this topic online here:

http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=430565#430565

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