I don't know about other countries but here in Sweden if you want to fly
Night-VFR
(possible with homebuilts here) it is a requirement to have a heated pitot.
I can also imagine it being "nice to have" in many normal VFR flying situations.
Another Europa being built here in the Stockholm region is going to fit an
ex. PA-28 heated pitot (if I remember correctly).
Philip (Tri-gear, No. 426)
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: Heated Pitot static tube
Beware that heated pitot tubes suck a LOT of juice (I think I've heard
10 amps??). Unless you plan to add an extra alternator (the 40A belt
drive will likely be the only one with enough juice), the stock setup
won't power the pitot tube, strobes, radios, lights, etc.
IMHO, the Europa is NOT a hard IFR machine. By the time it's loaded
up with all the necessary stuff, it's going to be a pig. Yes, I
believe it needs some vacuum instruments and basic stuff to get you
out of trouble, but I'd never consider it an "all-weather" machine.
I am using the 40 amp alternator. Yo do not have to be "hard IFR" to have
problems
with pitot static icing. The heated probe is only used for an emergency
encounter
with icing conditions. I plan to use this airplane to maintain IFR proficiency
and for those mild IFR situations. For 99% of the time, the pitot heat
will be off.
Dave
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