Europa-List Digest Archive

Tue 02/14/12


Total Messages Posted: 10



Today's Message Index:
----------------------
 
     1. 02:22 AM - Re: Lightning Strike (Martin Olliver)
     2. 02:32 AM - Re: Re: Lightning Strike (Nigel Graham)
     3. 02:39 AM - Re: Lightning Strike (Frans Veldman)
     4. 02:41 AM - Re: Re: Lightning Strike (Frans Veldman)
     5. 02:43 AM - Re: Re: Lightning Strike (Ivan Midwing)
     6. 02:54 AM - Re: Lightning Strike (Martin Olliver)
     7. 02:55 AM - Re: Lightning Strike (Ivan Midwing)
     8. 03:01 AM - Re: Re: Lightning Strike (David Joyce)
     9. 05:34 AM - Re: Tire /tyre landing incident /accident (Raimo Toivio)
    10. 07:53 AM - Re : Lightning Strike (John Wigney)
 
 
 


Message 1


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    Time: 02:22:51 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Lightning Strike
    From: "Martin Olliver" <martflynut@aol.com>
    Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that those of you who have had a lightning strike, seem to have only suffered minor or no damage at all. The situation with the glider seems to be different because of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with cautious optimism on this one. Martin. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366258#366258


    Message 2


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    Time: 02:32:21 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Lightning Strike
    From: Nigel Graham <nigel_graham@m-tecque.co.uk>
    Just remember to take a pee before you take off ;-) BODY { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px; } On Tue 14/02/12 10:21 , "Martin Olliver" martflynut@aol.com sent: Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that those of you who have had a lightning strike, seem to have only suffered minor or no damage at all. The situation with the glider seems to be different because of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with cautious optimism on this one. Martin. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366258#366258 [2] Links: ------ [2] http://webmail.m-tecque.co.uk/parse.php?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.matr onics.com%2Fviewtopic.php%3Fp%3D366258%23366258 [3] http://webmail.m-tecque.co.uk/parse.php?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.matroni cs.com%2FNavigator%3FEuropa-List [4] http://webmail.m-tecque.co.uk/parse.php?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.matr onics.com [5] http://webmail.m-tecque.co.uk/parse.php?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.matroni cs.com%2Fcontribution


    Message 3


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    Time: 02:39:13 AM PST US
    From: Frans Veldman <frans@privatepilots.nl>
    Subject: Re: Lightning Strike
    On 02/13/2012 11:17 AM, Martin Olliver wrote: > Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not > what is the perceived result of such a strike? The result is impossible to predict. Lightning stikes comes in all sizes and shapes. You can get a little protection against very light strikes (for of course a weight penalty), but since you don't know what is going to strike you there is just one effective measure: stay away from anything that looks like a TS. If you embed copper mesh in your wings it will make your wings much heavier, and of course if the strike is heavy enough the mesh will melt anyway and take the wing with it. Any strike generates heat, and as we all know our Europa's can not tolerate much heat, not much what we can do about it except for using aluminium instead of glass fiber. As much as the size and direction of lightning strikes vary, so do the results. The best in terms of survivability are vertical strikes. They don't search for your airplane, you just have to fly through a strike in progress. Alas, they are the least occuring stikes in airplanes. Much more occuring are spanwise and lenghtwise strikes. Your airplane offers an electric charge a comfortable path to find its opponent. Also, your exhaust fumes leave a trail of extra conductive air, due to the carbon and extra moisture in it. Any charge following that trail will find your airplane. Spanwise strikes bring the risk of welding the aileron controls, and of course the heat expands the air in the wings and the wings may just blow apart. Lenghtwise strikes will likely travel via the rudder cables. Apart from taking the ruddder out when the tiny cables melt, they might melt through the fuel tank which is just an inch away. Heat and fuel don't go along very well. And of course the rudder cables end at the rudder pedals, so I hope you don't have wet feet when it happens. The avionics and electric systems are the least of your concerns, but anything might fail, if not everything. It is likely you can't talk to anyone anymore, have no navigation anymore, and have to land your crippled airplane trimmed for cruise speed and possibly without rudder or aileron control without assistance. If you survived the initial strike at all of course. I remember the story of someone who got hit by lightning. They found his airplane with all the controls welded. Some research revealed that the poor pilot had flown for at least 10 minutes after all the controls where welded inmovable before he crashed... So, I will avoid thunderstorms at all costs. In my airplane I installed a stormscope. If it indicates anything threatening closer than 100nm, I will just land and fly another day. Frans


    Message 4


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    Time: 02:41:34 AM PST US
    From: Frans Veldman <frans@privatepilots.nl>
    Subject: Re: Lightning Strike
    On 02/14/2012 11:21 AM, Martin Olliver wrote: > Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that those of you > who have had a lightning strike, seem to have only suffered minor or > no damage at all. The situation with the glider seems to be different > because of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with > cautious optimism on this one. Martin. I think you can not. These people had just tremendous luck. The wings of an Europa will explode if the strike is anything more than "extremely light". Frans


    Message 5


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    Time: 02:43:02 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Lightning Strike
    From: Ivan Midwing <midwing@telia.com>
    If you don't have farradays, stay well clear of CB's and where to suspect discharging! I have flown at least 5000 hours in King Airs with multiple hits and it never fells secure or "god enoug" around thunder and lightning... I have seen composite parts hit by lightning and it has always destroyed parts beyond repair! Don't fly near it... My 2 cents of recommendations Cheers! Ivan KajakCenter Halland Org nr; 5805034625 P: +46 703 621310 P: +46 704 694444 M: midwing@telia.com W: www.kajakcenter-halland.se 14 feb 2012 kl. 11:21 skrev "Martin Olliver" <martflynut@aol.com>: > > Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that those of you who have had a lightning strike, seem to have only suffered minor or no damage at all. The situation with the glider seems to be different because of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with cautious optimism on this one. > Martin. > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366258#366258 > > > > > > > > > >


    Message 6


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    Time: 02:54:06 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Lightning Strike
    From: "Martin Olliver" <martflynut@aol.com>
    Not looking good then. Martin Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366263#366263


    Message 7


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    Time: 02:55:05 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Lightning Strike
    From: Ivan Midwing <midwing@telia.com>
    Frans, That is the best approach! I do fully agree. Don't fly in or near clouds especially those convective ones... There is no such thing as a "mild" TS... Blue Skies! Ivan Frmr FC at SOS Flygambulans AB KajakCenter Halland Org nr; 5805034625 P: +46 703 621310 P: +46 704 694444 M: midwing@telia.com W: www.kajakcenter-halland.se 14 feb 2012 kl. 11:37 skrev Frans Veldman <frans@privatepilots.nl>: > > On 02/13/2012 11:17 AM, Martin Olliver wrote: > >> Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not >> what is the perceived result of such a strike? > > The result is impossible to predict. Lightning stikes comes in all sizes > and shapes. You can get a little protection against very light strikes > (for of course a weight penalty), but since you don't know what is going > to strike you there is just one effective measure: stay away from > anything that looks like a TS. > > If you embed copper mesh in your wings it will make your wings much > heavier, and of course if the strike is heavy enough the mesh will melt > anyway and take the wing with it. Any strike generates heat, and as we > all know our Europa's can not tolerate much heat, not much what we can > do about it except for using aluminium instead of glass fiber. > > As much as the size and direction of lightning strikes vary, so do the > results. The best in terms of survivability are vertical strikes. They > don't search for your airplane, you just have to fly through a strike in > progress. Alas, they are the least occuring stikes in airplanes. Much > more occuring are spanwise and lenghtwise strikes. Your airplane offers > an electric charge a comfortable path to find its opponent. Also, your > exhaust fumes leave a trail of extra conductive air, due to the carbon > and extra moisture in it. Any charge following that trail will find your > airplane. Spanwise strikes bring the risk of welding the aileron > controls, and of course the heat expands the air in the wings and the > wings may just blow apart. Lenghtwise strikes will likely travel via the > rudder cables. Apart from taking the ruddder out when the tiny cables > melt, they might melt through the fuel tank which is just an inch away. > Heat and fuel don't go along very well. And of course the rudder cables > end at the rudder pedals, so I hope you don't have wet feet when it happens. > The avionics and electric systems are the least of your concerns, but > anything might fail, if not everything. It is likely you can't talk to > anyone anymore, have no navigation anymore, and have to land your > crippled airplane trimmed for cruise speed and possibly without rudder > or aileron control without assistance. If you survived the initial > strike at all of course. > > I remember the story of someone who got hit by lightning. They found his > airplane with all the controls welded. Some research revealed that the > poor pilot had flown for at least 10 minutes after all the controls > where welded inmovable before he crashed... > > So, I will avoid thunderstorms at all costs. > In my airplane I installed a stormscope. If it indicates anything > threatening closer than 100nm, I will just land and fly another day. > > Frans > > > >


    Message 8


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    Time: 03:01:52 AM PST US
    From: "David Joyce" <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>
    Subject: Re: Lightning Strike
    Martin, I would like to think you are right but I doubt you are! I think that any Europa (at least the XS, which is constructed in very much the same way as the K21 glass fibre glider) is just as likely to have dampness in the wings. On top of that, if you look at the AAIB report ( www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/dft_avsafety_pdf_500699.pdf ) there is no mention of water as far as I can see - it appears to be just a shock wave associated with the very high energy electrical discharge. For me the point at issue is the size of the lightning bolt. As well as blowing up the wings the current fused or destroyed most of the aileron control mechanisms so that it would have been unflyable even with the wings intact. It seems that the 3 reported Europa strikes have all been low energy ones, and I have no optimism about an unmodified Europa surviving a medium or large strike. Regards, David Joyce, G-XSDJ On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:21:36 -0800 "Martin Olliver" <martflynut@aol.com> wrote: ><martflynut@aol.com> > > Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that >those of you who have had a lightning strike, seem to >have only suffered minor or no damage at all. The >situation with the glider seems to be different because >of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with >cautious optimism on this one. > Martin. > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366258#366258 > > > > > > > >Un/Subscription, >Forums! >Admin. > > >


    Message 9


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    Time: 05:34:20 AM PST US
    From: "Raimo Toivio" <raimo.toivio@rwm.fi>
    Subject: Re: Tire /tyre landing incident /accident
    All and particularly U.K. Europa MW operators You remember this topic last summer? I was and am full of bad quality tubes which run down regularly and too often for my taste. I have tried to found aircraft quality tube size 7.00-6 with a valve TR67 (90 degrees bent) without any success. Valve is the problem =93 it is easy to find straight valves type TR20. Today I got a message from Watts Aviation Mr John Bell (tech and quality manager). In his message he told FYI we do have a number of Europa Monogear operators among our customers who use the 7.00-6 tube with the TR20 straight valve Obviously those operators do bend their valves by themself. Would like to know what is a correct method to do that? Thanks, Raimo OH-XRT FINLAND From: Bud Yerly Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 11:20 PM Subject: Re: Europa-List: Tire /tyre landing incident /accident Raimo, Sorry for the slow response. Alas no tube is perfect and frankly, I hate how the bent tube wheel works. The stem never sets really straight, even when I affix a 5/16 inch by 32 nut and a washer to help it out. I have often wondered myself why not put some pre-puncture fluid in a tube and fill with an inert gas. Or even fill the darned thing with the fix a flat type fluid. Now that we have the electronic tire pressure monitoring devices that work in tubeless tires, can it be worked out on a tubed tire? Ah to have the time to research and develop new things. With very inexpensive and light air compressors available now, we could have our own built in auto tire inflation system like the big guys. I am seriously considering adding a compressor to my plane powered direct from the battery with a valve stem sticking out of the fuselage bottom. When I get to the plane and need some air, I pull out my very light filler tube out of the baggage bay and hook up. With my very easy to open wheel pants, I wouldn't need to wait for the Fixed Based Operators mechanic or have to drag out my gear to fill the always occurring low tire. Three screws, open the pant and fill the tire. As you already know, my main concern with the larger tire of 7 or 8 inches, the side wall will tend to fail if it loses pressure. Once the side wall fails, the tube can't fix that problem so the tire will fail. As for the 6 inch tube, that is quite a stretch for this sized tube as there is a huge difference between 6 and 7 inch tires, and in the event of a puncture I had the thought it may be more of a blow out rather than a floppy tire roll out. Also if you go to an 8 ply sidewall, what will that do to the tires ability to absorb the shock. I supposed if we all made perfect landings on dead smooth wide fields we wouldn't have a concern with a stiffer tire.... Regards, Bud ----- Original Message ----- From: Raimo Toivio To: europa-list@matronics.com Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 10:49 AM Subject: Re: Europa-List: Tire /tyre landing incident /accident Dear Bud specially and all of you My tube installation has been perfect you can be sure about it. Remember, many of us have had tube problems like Paul MacAllister for instance. I am sure he is a well known pro. Never grease the wheel trim! I have markings no movements between the trim and tire /tyre. Sorry but those companies which make for example tubes for planes they have no a real liability. Just a morals or nothing. There is no place I can send an invoice ! My principle: I am not flying for saveing money! I do understand in most cases paying more = get more safety. I would love to pay 1000 $ for a tube which is *really* unbreakable !!! *** I purchased and got today a tyre pre-puncture liquid from Netherlands. I have it 25 liter = about 6 gallons and I need it only 0,25 liters. So I haveso far free tyre puncture liquids for about 99 Europas who ever will land to EFTP! Price: 550 euros /canister. As I wrote I am not saveing when it is the question of my or my family=C2=B4s (flight) safety. Check www.11d.nl *** Check also www.purinvent.com Very interesting =93 that is practically unbreakable tyre /tire solution. *** Rob Robson, US Sales manager of GA Goodyear answered me as follows below. The big question: how do you think is the type G15/6.00-6 tube for the tire /tyre 7.00-6 ? If you think it is ok that will be my way to go on. No matter about the costs! An idea 2 is (IMHO) not so good (to bed the valve). Raimo Toivio OH-XRT Finland (yber alles) Hi Raimo, We make a tube that is sized 7.00/8.00-6 which will fit in a 7.00-6 tire, but it has a TR-20 straight valve. We do not make one that has a bent 90-degree valve. I think that you have two options if you would like to use Goodyear tubes: 1. Try a G15/6.00-6 tube with a TR-67 valve (which is a bent 90-deg valve). The 7.00-6 tire is roughly 1 1/4" taller and 3/4" wider than a 6.00-6 tire, so the tube will most likely stretch to fit. 2. Try bending the valve on a 7.00/8.00-6 tube to fit your wheel. I don't know which option would work better; it depends primarily on the wheel and where the valve hole is. Regards, Rob Robson, Sales Manager - General Aviation Goodyear Aviation Tires Phone: 330.796.1596 Cell: 330.283.8704 www.goodyearaviation.com From: Bud Yerly Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 2:12 AM To: europa-list@matronics.com Subject: Re: Europa-List: Tire /tyre landing incident /accident Raimo, Yes, McCreary has probably been bought out, but they still have a phone number and are listed in Aircraft Spruce as a supplier. The adds still say: "Located in Indiana, PA and Unicoi, TN, Specialty Tires is committed to producing high quality tires that are 100% Made in America." I have had good luck with the Europa tubes which are bought through aircraft supply houses, however, I had good luck with the Asian made tractor tubes that were original in the mono kit too. As I said in a past post, installation has much to do with a tubes longevity. I know that if you grease the wheel rim, the tire can spin on the wheel and the tube doesn't last long at all, nor does the tire or wheel pant. Ah the exuberance of youth and the desire to get in the air quick. You are probably right that many tubes (and tires now days) are made overseas, maybe even by the same company that makes lawn tractor tires, but when you put the use on a tire or tube that says "airplane" you pay more, supposedly for the quality and or inspection standards but mostly for liability I'm sure. Let's face it, your $600 alternator on a Piper can be bought with the same part number at an auto parts store for $60. But the auto parts store one doesn't say airplane. Everything on my plane comes from an airplane manufacturer or supplier. Why risk a $100,000 investment on a $12 part. Regards, Bud ----- Original Message ----- From: Raimo Toivio To: europa-list@matronics.com Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 2:59 PM Subject: Re: Europa-List: Tire /tyre landing incident /accident Hi Bud and thanks for a nice comment. However Replacement Tubes: Europa tubes are now made by McCreary and are for a 7-8 inch tire. They are very well built, and have the exact 90 degree bend and placement of the valve stem for the mono's wheel. They are about $130 each, and again worth every penny. It is my experience they are changed only on puncture not wear. Are you sure they are McCreary=C2=B4s? On Europas sites they say only =9CTube =93 Mono =93 suits 7.00 and 8.00 tyres main tube =93 tba=9D. In fact there is not anymore a company named Mc Creary. Today it is known to be Specialty Tires of America, formerly known as McCreary Tire. I assume those McCreary /Specialty Tires of America tubes are made in Indonesian by Deli. American Racer Tires and its sister company Specialty Tires of America were originally known as the McCreary Tire & Rubber Company, founded in 1915 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. *** Watch this: Hi Raimo. We have good quality, but Asian manufacture $21.95 each We have good luck with these. Hi Steven What is the brand name of Asian manufacture? Is it maybe a Deli from Indonesian? Wishes, Raimo Correct. Deli Indonesia Best regards Steve I have had four incidents in four years with Deli. That means a case after every 50 flight hours /70 landings. You bet I will not have a Deli any more... Terveisin, Raimo *** So...no Deli any more. *** I have asked Good Year=C2=B4s US General Aviation Sales Manager Robert Robson to find us the best available tube for Monowheelers. I will let you know the results. As you maybe notice, this is a serious business for me. Raimo OH-XRT Finland http://www.youtube.com/watchL?v=RAt9oj9eI3I From: Bud Yerly Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2011 6:41 PM To: europa-list@matronics.com Subject: Re: Europa-List: Tire /tyre landing incident /accident To all, and congrats to Raimo Toivio When preparation, proficiency and proper procedures meet a potentially catastrophic chain of events, the chain is broken and the aircraft, pilot and passengers all have a story to tell rather than being an accident statistic. Your thorough planning for tire changes in the field, spares, and most importantly a lovely and supportive wife makes the event a nuisance tire change out in the field, so I am hoping you bought your wife a great dinner and told her how much you appreciate her. As for tires and tubes, from what I can report from the US mono pilots that have shared their experiences with me here goes: Original Classic Equipment was an industrial 8 inch tire and tube. Cheap, strong but rather thin with squishy sides. The clearances were minimal from the frame and cockpit module and during landing the brake caliper on a flat tire tore it up pretty quick. About 2000 most guys started going with the 7 inch McCreary as a replacement around here. It is narrower and of course a little lower. The original tube was a bit thin but cheap at $35 for a lawn tire tube. Replacement Tires: The McCreary 7 inch six ply seems to work very well with very long life. This tire has more clearance from the frame, the wheel well, and its six ply sides is very stiff. It is available through Europa or Aircraft Spruce (PN 06-09600): for about $130 US and is worth every penny. Replacement Tubes: Europa tubes are now made by McCreary and are for a 7-8 inch tire. They are very well built, and have the exact 90 degree bend and placement of the valve stem for the mono's wheel. They are about $130 each, and again worth every penny. It is my experience they are changed only on puncture not wear. Most taxi failures need a serious autopsy of the tube. I have found with new clients that they pinch the tube or cut the stem. Once the tire goes flat, it gets cut by the brake caliper. We have gone to a full proof method here in the shop. First we inspect the wheel for any burrs or sharp edges on the rim and especially on the valve stem. We smooth these out if present. Then thoroughly clean and dry the wheel. We cut card stock that fits the recess machined into the wheel and glue it in place with super glue dabs on one side only. Then show the client how the wheels go together and to watch for the white paper in the wheel half split with an inspection mirror to make sure all goes together easily. Then the tube is lightly powdered , inserted into the tire, aligned with the stem aligned with the dot (not always present) and slide the wheel into the tire. Carefully align the tube stem and ensure the tube is not twisted. Now carefully install the other wheel half and gently push the two halves together. Insert bolts and pull up evenly. The tire is ready to inflate. A suitable lubricant for tire to wheel during installation is not axel grease according to the FAA maintenance folks. There is no reason for lube on a well maintained rim free of dirt, corrosion etc. If the tire will not go on the rim, use a proper lube such as Freylube or a mixture of dish soap and water with no more than 10% mineral oil. Allow the solution to dry before putting the tire in use. Petroleum lubricants between the tire and rim may cause the tire to rotate on hard braking or run-up (and the tire will rotate on the rim with a 914 at full blast with an Airmaster Prop), causing tube stem or tube failure. Learn from my mistake. Read Michelin's guide to tire installation: http://www.airmichelin.com/uploadedFiles/MichelinAirDev/StandardContent/R esource/certification_level_2.pdf Great job Raimo, Regards to all, Bud Yerly Europa Tech Support Custom Flight Creations, Inc. www.customflightcreations.com (813) 653-4989 ----- Original Message ----- From: Raimo Toivio To: europa-list@matronics.com Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2011 9:51 PM Subject: Europa-List: Tire /tyre landing incident /accident Dear All, it is a long time since I have been here. Today it happened something and I got an Europa Energy Burst (aka ENB) to write on the list. I think this could be useful info for most of you Europa (or any GA plane) operators. Let me tell you what was it and how it went: *** I have worked couple of years to make an Europa story to the largest All and Universal Technical Scandinavian Magazine which is published in the Scandinavian countries. I have had several flying experiences with their very speciall aviation editor. Today we decided to fly to one very remote airfield. Everything went as normally. Please notice I have a Monowheel, The Most Sexy GA ever built. *** Just after a touchdown I - smelled a well burned rubber and then after - noticed immediately a strong autobrakeing - noticed immeadiately the position of the aircraft is not normal (too low and too leveled) - noticed a rumbling noise - noticed it is not *very* well steerable or att all and so we went out of the runway to the port side of the grass area We went out of the runway. That concrete runway 33 was quite narrow, just 6 metres or about 20 feets only. I understood at once what was the name of the game. During first seconds I was wondering if it (tha plane) will be inverted. The brakeing effect was so hard. After seconds I was wondering if I will lose only my prop (and engine) at least. It took only seconds. We stopped and I ask the editor how about if I will now switch off the fuel pump, electrics, engine, are you ok and how do you feel now? What a story for a newspaperman! The landing was very normal before the touch down. Let me say, I had completed 416 pcs of an Europa Monowheel landings and this was better than 8 (0-10) just before touch down . I (we) assume the tire/tyre was empty before landing. Not a big bang when landing at all, no no. *** During the years we (Europa Operators) have speculated what will happen when landing a mono with an empty tire /tyre. Now I /we know: If lucky nothing! My prop was still a virgin (configuration: Warp Drive blades with a wonderful Airmaster hub from NZ). The soil out of the runway was quite soft. There was still a clearance between the mother ground and the blades about 50 mm /2 inches. I kept the stick hard back during the landing. Some of you may remember I do love high speed landings like on final 70 knots and during a touch down around 60 knots. The brakeing effect was very strong because of an empty main (and only!) tire /tyre: it took only less than 100 metres /300 feets from touch down point to the final stop. Zero winds. Runway is a bit upphill. *** After I checked I am ok and my co-pilot was also ok and my plane was about ok I called bureacrats as they call to do in Finland immediately. The Police came and people from The Air Accident Investigators called me. That was an Finnish Army Airbase also. They came and tried to help us by giving some air to my empty wheel but do not succeeded because the inner tube was totally destroyed during the landing (just 300 metres from us they =93 Finnish Army - were launching unmannned planes by steam catapult). *** I called my loving (and sooo beautiful) wife and she took immediately the spare inner tube with her from our hangar and was heading by car with a trailer 200 km /125 miles to us. Without a special jacking block which I always carry with me it would have been impossible task to lift the Mono upp and take the wheel out and change an inner tube for a new one. All together it took 6 hours until we were flyable again. Let me say The Editor still wanted to fly with me back to EFTP. We completed some touches and goes to check would it be again empty or not. It was not. What a smile. Attached a pic =9Can accident place, my plane, my Wife and Mr Editor doing tire /tyre changeing jobs=9D. *** Fuck! I have operatored my Europa 4 seasons and this was my 4th case of an empty and a broken main wheel! This was a first experience during a landing. All the other cases have been during taxiing or so. Why?! I have an original size and a brand of an inner tube which is 8.00 =93 7(6) which means it is ok for a size 7 and 6. They say so. I had two years an original outer tyre /tire which was like from a colf car but after earlier incidents I changed it for a real aircraft tyre /tire (brand name Air Trac). Always the hole has been in the side of the inner tyre. It has always been let me say about 10 mm /0,4 inches) long crack. I (I point *I*) assume that is the question of the bad quality of the Deli (made in Indonesian) innner tyres. *** Let me and we all know the source for the high quality inner tubes please! Let me and all know is there any clever stuff to put inside of the inner tube *before* accident to prevent this kinds of accidents. We all know there are stuffs to put inside the inner tubes to make our day *after* it is empty. That is not a solution and nothing to do with a catastrophic failure when the crack is 10 mm or wider. I /we need a possibility to prevent this kind of (very stupid) not-so-purpose-to-happend-accidents. *** Monowheels pilots =93 please do not ever fly far away w/o a lifting block. That is a sensation. Thanks for Mr. Dirk van Oyen from Belgium (first time in use a day after a Maiden Flight =93 that was 30.04.2007). *** Thanks for this wonderful chance to share and make my day. I have many topics to talk with you. Many questions to answer. Many things to do since the end of the last summer. I will come back. Thanks you are there. All of you. *** Specially Mr Kingsley from Oz and Mr Fred Klein from US. I am happy you are there. Cheers, Raimo Toivio Europa XS Mono OH-XRT #417 Updated flight hours /landings: 214,2 /418 37500 Lempaala FINLAND p +358-3-3753 777 f +358-3-3753 100 toivio@fly.to www.rwm.fi


    Message 10


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    Time: 07:53:25 AM PST US
    From: John Wigney <johnwigney@windstream.net>
    Subject: Re : Lightning Strike
    Hi Martin, You may have heard this before but for small planes, the conventional wisdom in the US is to stay a minimum of 20 miles from a thunderstorm. This might seem a long way but I am pretty sure it was developed at the school of hard knocks. In poor weather afew years ago in Arkansas, I inadvertently strayed much closer and was startled with a large lightning bolt much too close for comfort. Once is enough; I try not to repeat that. Cheers, John N262WF, mono XS, 912S Mooresville, North Carolina ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subject: Europa-List: Lightning Strike From: "Martin Olliver"<martflynut@aol.com> Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack of bonding between components and conductors to ensure components don't explode apart, as happened with the glider. If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has any one considered any possible remedial action to improve the situation? Martin.




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