---------------------------------------------------------- Europa-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 02/10/10: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:18 PM - Re: Mono wheel conversion (Bud Yerly) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:18:03 PM PST US From: "Bud Yerly" Subject: Re: Europa-List: Mono wheel conversion Martin, Not to pile on, but I have fit a number of large pilots to the Europa. It has been my experience, that the only area of the tunnel that is a nuisance to the tall pilot is the area where the knee hits center console. A football shaped cutout there is typically all that is needed. I have seen some Europa's with the console cut down very low, and I share the comments with others that a lot of stiffness of the fuselage is given up by cutting down this area. You are compromising the aircraft. The Europa provides more than reasonable protection as is. Short story: On two nose low (25 degree impacts in landing accidents) one with the full console, the other was cut down a modest 3-4 inches. On both the floor of the fuselage behind the rudders flexed, which compromised that area. One aircraft had under the door electrical conduits installed of 4 layers of glass measuring roughly 3 inches deep and level with the sill and a full console, with a cut out where the throttle would be. This area was glassed in with a flange of 4 layers of 8 oz bid and a cover panel of 6-8 layers of bid. It maintained very good fuselage stiffness with only nose damage when the nose gear failed after about the 4th porpoise. The floor had a minor deformity in the glass from flexing, but was easily repaired. The pilot opened the door and stepped out. The other aircraft actually split the fuselage side 6 inches forward of the door sill when the fuselage floor flexed. The console was cut down some 4 inches beginning below the instrument panel face continuing all the way back to the bulkhead and had no under sill conduits. The side of the fuselage cracked due to the nose flexing downward. Some foot injuries were incurred as the fuselage flexed to the point of cracking from the consol up to the windscreen. Foot injury occurred as a result of the rudder pedals deflecting as the fuselage skidded along. Both accidents were pilot error and no names will be released so don't ask. It would be best to make a modest console adjustment to fit your form. I have found for pilots your size that the hi top mod 63 is very comfortable and the extra width mod 67 is also a must have. If your kit is too far along for the high top, the bubble door glass is one of my favorite mods also. These higher top mods allow you to slide aft a bit and get another inch of headroom and less knee height. All the above can be purchased through the company. I know I'm kicking myself for not doing the width increase as it is quite comfortable. The high top is quite impressive. As for how to re-establish strength in your console after cutting it out, please properly prep and add foam to fill the void, prep the foam and add two layers of bid overlapping two inches around the hole on the inside and out... As for the hole in the bottom, consider adding a bulkhead behind the nose gear of 1/8 inch (3mm) aircraft ply and glassing it in with two layers. This is a help to stiffening the plane also besides allowing for a generous cooling air exit if the mono wheel firewall is removed. Be sure to protect the new bulkhead and console inside exposed to the engine with firewall material of your choice. Then close the bottom hole, and if you like, add a large inspection hole on the bottom for maintenance of in console items. A glassed in hole adds for stiffness and impact strength also. Top it off with a back cushion about 1 inch thick or 1/2 inch of firm foam and a contoured seat cushion to suite and you will be comfortable. Bud Yerly Custom Flight Creations, US Europa Dealer ----- Original Message ----- From: Martin Boyle To: europa-list@matronics.com Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 6:24 PM Subject: Europa-List: Mono wheel conversion Hi To All I have purchased a part built mono wheel kit and may want to convert it to TRI gear.When I do this can I remove the consol in the middle as I find there is not enough room for me as I am 6ft3in tall and 96kg.Has anybody done this and ois it a factory mod Thanks M A B MAB123 Registered User Posts: 1 Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:34 pm a.. Private message http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message europa-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Europa-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/europa-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/europa-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.