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Area-51

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  • Aircraft
    Europa
  • Location
    Coolangatta
  • Country
    Australia

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  1. skippydiesel

    Hi Area-51,

     

    I see that you are a Europa pilot. Perchance it is powered by a Rotax  and utilises a constant speed propeller?

     

    Is so, I would like to compare performance and engine/prop management,  between your aircraft & my Sonex/Rotax 912ULS😈

    1. Area-51

      Area-51

      An 80hp europa equiped with a 3 blade 63" Airmaster csu setup will cruise at 135kt on 12L/hr at 5200rpm and around 26MAP, and climb at around 800fpm two up at 5500rpm and 29MAP at 80kt... A 914 equiped Airmaster setup will see 155kt cruise at 5500rpm and 18L/hr... With a 68" 3 blade Bolly pitched at 20deg an 80hp europa will see 125kt at 5200 rpm on about  15L/hr and 110kt at 5000 rpm on 12L/hr, and a 1600fpm departure at 5200rpm and 80kt one up, or 1000fpm climb at 100kt.

    2. skippydiesel

      skippydiesel

      Wow! - I wish I had purchased one of the two Europas I bid on.

       

      My Sonex Legacy/Rotax 912ULS/Airmaster, Whirlwind 3 blade, AP332, Still tweaking, however can make 150 + knots true at 5500 rpm (forget the MAP at don't often go there) using about 19L/hr.

      I usually cruise at 130 knots true @ 5000 rpm 25.6 MAP for 14 L/hr

      Climb out is 80 -90 -100 knots @ WOT for a max weight climb of 1500 ft/min (initial)

       

      My Sonex is only just a two place aircraft being both squeezy and weight limited.

       

      What engine /prop are you using?

       

    3. Area-51

      Area-51

      Like the europa, the Sonex will eat most comparative aircraft in the sky. It has fantastic visibility from the cockpit, a strong +6/-4 spar and is nimble and responsive. It does not have the same level of stability as the europa, so it is great for aero's due to its inherent slight instability. I am told the Sonex can be tiring to hand fly long distances without an AP due to this; its an aircraft that requires to be piloted constantly while airborne... Both aircraft have their pluses and minuses... straight line they are about the same when using a 912/914. That being said the europa has a +12 ultimate rating on the spar, is highly nimble in experienced hands, and will do aero's quite comfortably if requested; but was purpose designed specifically for distance touring with short field capabilities.

       

      Wing root flares would give the Sonex slightly better low speed and bank turn performance and capitalise on the low vortex wing tip design advantages. Fowler flaps would enhance stall speed performance. The factory canopy frame requires beefing up as well to prevent distortion and inflight departure.

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