Europa XS
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Europa XS series | |
|---|---|
 A tri-gear Europa kitplane on display at the Canadian Aviation Expo in 2004 |
|
| Type | light aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Europa Aircraft |
| Designed by | Anthony Tiarks |
| Produced | 1987-present |
| Number built | 450 [1] |
The Europa XS and Europa Classic are amateur-built low-wing two-place composite monoplanes in the very light aircraft category.
Contents |
[edit] Development
[edit] Production
By the fall of 2007 450 Europas of all types had been completed and were flying.[1]
[edit] Safety
On 1st June 2007 a Europa Classic broke up during a flight over South Wales, United Kingdom, killing both occupants. The accident investigation is currently in the early stages, but evidence has been found which may have immediate airworthiness implications to the aircraft type. Irregularities have been found with the construction of structure of the right wing to which the rear lift/drag pin is installed. There is also evidence of movement of the tailplane surfaces beyond the normal range of movements, possibly as a result of flutter.
As a result of these initial findings, the Popular Flying Association has released two Airworthiness Bulletins requiring immediate and repetitive inspections:
- PFA 247/FSB006 ‘Europa Classic and Europa XS Tailplane Flutter Avoidance and Integrity Of Tailplane Attachment’
- PFA 247/FSB007 ‘Europa Classic Integrity of Wing Attachment’.
The content of these Airworthiness Bulletins has been made mandatory in the UK by the issue of Mandatory Permit Directives.[2]
[edit] Design
[edit] Fuselage
The streamlined composite design and the unusually low canopy give the Europa both high cruise speeds (up to 200 mph) and high fuel efficiency (up to 50 mpg) due to the decreased drag[3].
[edit] Engines
The Europa can be fitted with Rotax 912UL of 80 horsepower, the 100 hp 912ULS or the turbocharged 115 hp 914UL engine[3]. Other engines have been successfully installed and flown, including Subaru auto-conversions and Jabiru Aircraft engines.
[edit] Wings
Europas can be fitted with either normal (tourer) wings with 102 ft2 wing area and 13.43 lb/ft2 wing loading at MTOW or motorglider wings with a much larger area and span. Since the fuselage is common to both motorglider and tourer then with both sets of wings the same fuselage can be configured as a tourer and a motorglider alternately. The wings can be removed for transportation or storage in five minutes[3].
[edit] Undercarriage
Europas are available with either a conventional undercarriage or a monowheel with a tailwheel and outriggers.[3] The latter configuration has performance advantages over the trigear version, but can be prone to groundlooping in inexperienced hands, partly due to the lack of differential braking.
[edit] Fuel system
The fuel tanks are located in the fuselage and have a capacity of 18 US gallons standard and 28 US gallons optional. This gives a range of 841 sm standard or 1256 sm extended at economy cruise setting.[3] The plane can use AVGAS or MOGAS depending on engine requirements and national regulations.
[edit] Regulatory Status
The Europa is classified as a homebuilt in its home country of the UK and qualifies for a Permit to Fly. This limits it to day, VFR flight and restricts from flight over built up areas (except in traffic patterns).
In Canada the Europa is an amateur-built aircraft and qualifies for a Special Certificate of Airworthiness[4].
[edit] Variants
Europa offers two models, the Classic and the XS.
The XS is similar externally to the Classic, but incorporates several improvements. Due to the general similarity of the two types they are commonly referred to as 'Europas'.
[edit] Specifications (Rotax 912S)
General characteristics
- Length: 19 ft 2 in (5.84 m)
- Wingspan: 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
- Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
- Wing area: 102 ft² (9.48 m²)
- Empty weight: 780 lb (354 kg)
- Gross weight: 1370 lb (623 kg) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 155-161 mph ( km/h)
- Range: 732 miles (1355 km)
- Rate of climb: 1000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
[edit] References
- ^ a b Kitplanes Staff: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, page 50, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
- ^ AAIB Report on the June 1, 2007 Europa Accident
- ^ a b c d e Europa Aircraft (2004) Ltd (undated). Product Specifications. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
- ^ Transport Canada Website - EXEMPTION FROM SECTION 549.01 OF THE CANADIAN AVIATION REGULATIONS AND CHAPTER 549 of THE AIRWORTHINESS MANUAL – AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS - AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT February 2, 2005, accessed 19 September 2007
