JohnJMoran@aol.com wrote:
>
> I had hoped Europa's tailwheel update would be something like a bolt in
> replacement assembly with a longer swing arm and perhaps torsion springs to
> partially decouple its steering from the rudder. Or alternatively a new
> shaft for the existing tailwheel fixture with a second bellcrank on the lower
> end (within the fuselage) to drive the new tailwheel via springs.
>
> 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.
>
> 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 look forward to hearing more about Graham's approach to the tailwheel.
>
> John A044
Thinking more and more of a ballistic parachute system...just in case!?!
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