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Europa

I have sold my Europa project due to impossible problems with severe allergic reaction to epoxy glue .

I now have a Funk Model B to which I am fitting a Rotec R2800 radial.
Most of the engine fit has been completed as of June 30 /09, and I am now waiting on my new prop from mike Ellinas.
Dave McCandless

June 2009

I'm waiting (2mths, now) for parts from UK, so I've only been doing little fiddly bits of late with the ldg gear and rudder pedals.

In the meantime I'm trying to expand the shed, renovate the house and build a hotrod.

Dave McCandless
November 2003

I'm still working on the fuselage, fiddling with landing gear and brakes n stuff.

I'm also doing a bit of work on the Stinson at present, trying to improve the performance of the radio reception. What did I do with my time before I got involved with airplanes?

Dave McCandless
August 2003

I'm hard at the coal face again, been doing landind gear, engine mounts, and today, rudder pedal installation.

My model, the Europa XS, has provision for the long legged pilot, obviously for the US market, however I am of normal stature, as I'm sure most american pilots are, so I'm trying to return the pedal position to suit 90% of the population. Otherwise the rudders are 3 meters down a long dark tunnel, and for me to touch them with my tippy toes, the control stick is hard up against my testemonials! I think Europa figured that the rest of us could wear fat soled shoes and an athletic support. So far so good.

We took the Stinson to Denmark on Sat/Sun and stayed with Chris and Kim Fowler, lovely place, lovely people and a nice new strip to land on.

Europa XS had its engine mount/wheel suspension, (only one main wheel remember) installed over the last week and part of the flap retraction linkage made, these are connected in the Europa, the wheel and flaps go up and down together.

Still doing research on possible engine fits, this month it is Chev Corvair. This partly due to the fact that a Pietenpol builder 5km up the road has a Corvair motor sitting on his shed floor for me to hum n ha over. Hope to start installing the floor for rudder pedals over the next few days.

Dave McC
April/May 2003

I've spent most of the last month in Mel, but I've been home a week now and have cut out the wheel well area in prep for the landing gear installation, (only one main wheel remember). I have some house stuff to do this week but I think I can fit in a bit of Europa. While in Mel I visited another builder, and I've come back with a bunch of new ideas and a dose of renewed enthusiasam.

C U,
Dave
April 2003

My Europa is about a third complete. I'm working on the fuselage at present.

The Europa construction is in GRP, and the fuselage consists of bottom moulding like a bathtub, a top moulding like a long hardtop off a car and a cockpit module which is the internal moulding holding the seats, flying controls, instrument panel and wheelwell. The fuel tank is also incorporated in the cockpit module.

I'm about ready to start joining the wheel/engine mount to the front of the fuselage. This is a bit fiddly as I'm not sure which engine I shall use and I'm trying to avoid tearing it apart again to change engines down the track. I'm very keen to use a Mazda Rotary, but there are some design features yet to be resolved in the installation of this engine. Anyway I have plenty to do yet before that decision has to be made.

Dave McCandless
February 2003

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