September - October - The Recreational Aircraft Association

Top: the Europa's prop feathers for gliding.
Centre: the front office. The main wheel
retracts into a tunnel between the two seats,
making the legroom a little narrow.
above: the Europa comes ahead in the
baggage department.
turbo Xtremes to the Europa in fairness.) It should be noted
both aircraft are available in tricycle gear and are easier to
handle – although they are heavier and glide less well due to
the increased drag of the training wheel. The alternate Gear
for the Europa is a centerline main and tailwheel with outriggers.
Appearances Are Only Skin Deep
Undoubtedly, my Extreme is prettier with her sleek lines,
aggressive nose up attitude and looooong sleek wings. (Mind
you, that 54.5 foot span is also a detriment during ground handling
compared to the Europa’s trim 47.25 feet.) Since they
have approximately the same glide ratio the Europa planform
and wings could be said to be more efficient in total.
The Europa is a rather short chunky flivver, but this is
not as bad as one might initially guess. Firstly, the cockpit is
considerably wider and the baggage area bigger - and yet the
aircraft has an empty weight that is better than 300 pounds
lighter. The breadth is countered by slightly reduced leg room
such that tall pilots might want to check out the higher canopy
option to accommodate their abundance. The adjustable
pedals in the Xtreme accommodate more pilot variations and
are very comfortable for folks to altitudes of at least six feet.
The new Europa wing utilizes more advanced composites
and technology in many respects and the lighter and the
overall smaller dimensions of the homebuilt result in a lower
basic weight and the ability to carry a hundred pounds more
useful load at a gross weight, which is 250 pounds under the
Xtreme’s. Creator Ivan Shaw hired British Aerospace Chief
Aerodynamicist Don Dykins (Airbus wing creator) to design
the demanding motor glider’s wings and he has succeeded
admirably. Incidentally, both motorgliders shed their wings
easily for storage and the Europa has the additional benefit of
being able to wear the normal Europa XS “stubby” wings for
owners who shift between soaring and long distance flights.
The glider wings are suitable for both realms in my opinion.
Getting Around the Airport
My Xtreme taxies very well via the direct linkage tail wheel
steering as long as one recalls the airliner-like wing span and
fairly large turning radius. (The trikes can turn on a dime and
provide 11 cents change.) Although differential brakes are a
$7000 option, my bird applies the brakes evenly to the two
main gears via a linkage at the maximum extension of the dive
brakes/spoilers. With the excellent directional control of the
rudder and steerable tail wheel this has been quite adequate.
I’m sure the tricycle geared Europa is similar to Xtremes
with nosewheels; however, the Monowheel version is slightly
tipsy on its outriggers and has been deemed very challenging
to control during portions of the take off and landings. More
later… Also, there is some sloppiness or delay in the tailwheel
steering that leaves it feeling slight less than positive. A hand
brake installed on the center console provided adequate braking
but could not be locked as a parking brake due to its geom-
24 Recreational Flyer September - October 2007