Europa-List: N81EU ~ progess

[Thomas Scherer <thomas@scherer.com>]

Hi All,

I've been quiet and that in part because I have been deeply touched by the 
accidents that happened between my incident on Feb 24 and now - and the 
Oshkosh accident last year,. All those personally affected and close to 
those brethren we lost ~ my deepest condolences.

Like many I am a little puzzled by the advent of 'flutter' and will await 
further details. On stalls, spins and 180's I would like to add my 2 cent:

I have done 180's three times in my carreer due to not so welcoming areas 
ahead ~ yet in February there was no altitude whatsoever - not even for a 
left turn. I went straight ahead and had only one thought in mind: "keep air 
over those wings til the end". I flew us into a quary which is right 
adjacent to the airport, and that was not a nice prospective ~ but I wanted 
to remain in control of the plane til the last moment. It sure did pay off 
as we walked away - only the plane was hurt.

I think 180's or partial turns are alright as long as you have the speed and 
remain in control. Of spins I am so profoundly afraid that I always keep her 
above 75 kn, unless flaps are down and in ground effect. Must say though 
that N81EU does not appear to have that pronounced drop of one wing as some 
report. No stall strips installed.

I am totally confident in the Europa being of good and sound design - a very 
capable airplane.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I want to report that in the last 48 hours N81EU was repainted, doors 
re-fitted, engine installed and wings back on.

See a picture of her in the hangar here:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tosstudio/607079004/"; title="Photo 
Sharing"><img 
src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/607079004_a95d230511.jpg"; 
width="500" height="500" alt="repair12" /></a>

and

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tosstudio/607078996/"; title="Photo 
Sharing"><img 
src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1305/607078996_eccbf1630e_o.jpg"; 
width="800" height="306" alt="repair11" /></a>

There is still plenty to do, yet I feel that Oshkosh is within reach.

Once first flight (at 980 hrs on the hobbs...) occurs, I will send an eMail 
with full story on the cause (fuel starvation) and process of the forced 
landing and the repair effort.

be well, fly safely,

<Thomas, N81EU>


BTW - do not install high-compression Xtra pistons. Me and others have not 
have had success with them. While you'll admittedly gain power - other 
trouble WILL arise.