>
..... I assumed the approach described, with the cables from the pedals
terminating at the rudder, was for testing and that a more elegant approach
would be used in XS production and for retrofits.
Join the club
>
> The larger question is whether this is the beginning of a real separation
> between the original Europa and the XS, something which is almost certain
to happen at some point. If the XS uses a center hinged rudder with sturdier
> hinges to facilitate this approach then it will point more strongly to a
> separation between generations. It will be interesting to see if this is
> followed by reduced support for the original, e.g. reduction or cessation
of manual updates for the original with updates for XS's only.
I don't think the XS does use a centre hinged rudder. The fin moulding that I
saw last week would seem to point towards a side mounted rudder of the same
form factor as the Mark 1.
I think it would be a long time before Europa ceased updates for the Mark 1.
After all there are only 50 or so flying out of 400 kits sold. People are
going to be building Mark 1's for quite a few years and there are certainly
going to be modifications that will occur as more machines get in the air.
When you take a good look at the XS there are actually very few variations
between it and the Mark 1 that cannot be easily implemented as modifications.
The XS wing build technique is fine if your primary interest is getting in
the air rather than having the satisfaction of having built it yourself.
Looking back on it I am glad I built the wings myself.
The integral fin on the upper moulding is a very good move as fitting this
seems to have caused some consternation to builders. I must say that the
mouldings look superb with their gel coat finish, in fact they look
remarkably like an overgrown Airfix model kit. The only thing that is missing
is a matching piece of sprue and the part number moulded on the inside! Maybe
we can convince Europa to give us a diagram showing us which parts to paint
before assembly :-)
The new cowlings, while not as pretty as the Mark 1, do increase performance
and are now supplied with the firewall forward kit. I have ordered them as
part of the firewall forward kit for my 914 (Yes I finally decided on an
engine!). I had a real battle trying to decide whether or not to put the new
cowlings on or whether to retain the impeccable good looks of the Mark 1. In
the end performance won.
The bulkhead modification certainly opens up the interior of the aircraft.
Europa's mod kit price does seem a bit steep at GBP400 though you can do this
yourself if you don't mind carving! The fuel tank filler moves on the XS and
with the modification to be on the upper quarter of the starboard side.
I don't particularly like the new centre console but only because you lose
all of the jotter pad space. Fitting carpet over the new centre console could
be an interesting task!
Tony
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Tony Krzyzewski tonyk@kaon.co.nz
Managing Director Ph 64 9 520 4631
Kaon Technologies Fx 64 9 520 3321
Auckland New Zealand
Networkers visit www.kaon.co.nz
Aviators visit www.kaon.co.nz/europa/272index.html
and www.kaon.co.nz/saanz/
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