> Does anyone in the Europa community have any direct experience with or
> knowledge of aero conversions of Subaru engines specifically for the Europa?
Larry - several Europas are flying with Subaru conversions Almost all
of them are the NSI EA81 conversion, but there is one 95hp Legacy
with direct drive. Here in UK a firm called Aero Developments (no
longer trading) developed a Europa installation package using the NSI
conversion and reduction drive. Here's a list of all the Subarus I
know of installed or proposed in Europas, with the undercarriage type
(1=monowheel, 2=conventional talidragger, 3=tricycle) empty weight,
first flight date and current project status.
Kit Mark Engine Gear lbs F/F Status
012 Subaru 1 Being built
016 G-OURO NSI Subaru EA81 100hp 3 905 21-6-1996 Flying
025 G-EESA NSI Subaru EA81 100hp 1 878 20-11-1996 Flying
031 G-SYCO Subaru EA81 15-3-1997 Flying
041 G-BWCV Subaru EA81 100hp 1 881 22-3-1997 Being re-built
044 G-NDOL Subaru 18-11-1995 Flying
057 G-FLYT NSI Subaru EA81 100hp 1 7-8-1996 Flying
068 G-BWNL Subaru 3 886 10-9-1997 Flying
103 Subaru 2 Being built
104 G-BWUP Subaru Being built
106 G-TERN Subaru 1 31-8-1998 Flying
123 G-BXLZ Subaru 31-7-1998 Flying
125 G-RICS NSI Subaru 2 888 27-4-1998 Flying
143 G-MAVE Subaru EA81 100hp 1 947 19-7-1998 Written off
263 G-CHEB Subaru 25-5-1997 Flying
A012A N6173K NSI Subaru 1 4-4-1997 Written off
A024 N63EU NSI Subaru 1 18-7-1996 Flying
A030 N841E Subaru Legacy 95hp direct drive
960 30-5-1997 Flying
A045 N216JE Subaru 1 885 23-8-1998 Written off
Certainly most Subarus work out heavier than a typical Rotax
installation (the lightest Europas, around 730lbs, are all monowheel
Rotax-powered). But the panel fit and undercariage type also affect
the weight significantly. Other aspects such as provision of adequate
cooling, and finding an effective propeller to match the engine's
speed/torque characteristics, need careful consideration when fitting
an engine different from that chosen by the airframe designer.
No doubt you will get responses on this forum from some of those
listed; I'd be interested to know of any corrections or additions to
the data shown. I cannot release builder addresses, except to Europa
Club members, but Europa Aircraft may be willing to put you in touch
with individual builders/operators.
Hope this helps.
regards
Rowland
| Rowland Carson Europa Club Membership Secretary
| Europa 435 G-ROWI PFA #16532 EAA #168386
|