Hi Roger,
First, I am only stating only my own experiences with a 912S powered XS
tri-gear. Both times I was in severe clear conditions at 7,500 and 8,500
feet. I don't know what the outside temperature was either time. After that
I fitted a Skydrive carb ice system set to work as a "always on" system. (I
left out the control valve.) I believe it works by heating the butterfly in
the carb throat. In the hundred hours since fitting it and in varied
conditions, we have not experienced ice again. Why does the XS exhibit this
and the classic doesn't? I honestly don't know. Most of the Europa's in the
U.S. are 914 powered and as such are not susceptible to carb icing. When I
said more times than reported I meant in ALL rotax powered aircraft, not
just Europa's. It was not a case of "not publicizing" or holding back
information. As to how it looks and sounds, In both cases I never noticed a
RPM drop, just a sound like a small bird striking the underside of the
fuselage by the rudder pedal area.
Jim Thursby
Europa Aircraft Company
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Mills" <roger.mills@btinternet.com>
Subject: RE: Carb. air ice?
> Jim,
> Does the same apply to the Europa Classic, if so, what precautions do you
> recommend to detect and eliminate it?
> This is a very important area - which presumably we all need to act on?
> (I haven't had any apparent icing in over 100 hrs in mixed flying
weather -
> but that could be due to the fact that I've avoided icing conditions).
> Regards
> Roger Mills
> Europa No 141
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa@aztec.houxou.com
> Subject: Re: Carb. air ice?
>
>
> Just so we are clear on this, Europa XS's fitted with 912 or 912S's ARE
> vulnerable to carb icing and you should take precautions to detect and
> eliminate it. It has happened more times than reported in Rotax's I
believe
> due to the fact that it does not have the symptoms of carb icing as we are
> taught to recognize during our training. The proximity of the exhaust
pipes
> is not enough. That will only serve to heat the carb bowls and the fuel,
not
> the incoming air, I hope this clears up some of the confusion.
>
> Jim Thursby
> Europa Aircraft Company
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <BRYNALL@aol.com>
> Subject: Re: Carb. air ice?
>
>
> > The Skydrive Carb heater is simply a hot water jacket around the
butterfly
> > valve of the carb. It keeps the valve hot enough to stop ice forming
onto
> it.
> > Probably the heat conducts far enough down the ventury section to do the
> same
> > there.
> >
> > There is certainly no attempt to warm the air, or mixture.
> >
> > With the relatively close proximity of the rear exhaust pipes to the
> carbs, I
> > would question the need for additional heating of the carb metalwork.
The
> > radiant heat in that enclosed environment must make it quite hot in that
> > area. So hot, that we are advised to fix heat insulation to any fuel
pipes
> > right up to the carbs.
> >
> > Could this be why the Europa does not ice up? Would it be a good idea to
> fix
> > a thermocouple to the carbs to find out. Any volunteers? Mine is not
> flying
> > at the moment.
> >
> > Regards.....Bryan Allsop
> >
> > PS Incidentally. Has anyone experienced dimensional changes in the
exhaust
> > pipes in the first 50 hours? My silencer has dropped between services,
and
> I
> > cannot get it back to the original relationship with the engine.
> >
>
>
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